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Yang C, Xu Q, Xie M, Tang Y, Hu Q, Heng H, Yang X, Liu X, Chan EWC, Yang G, Chen S. Enhancing resistance, but not virulence attributed to the high mortality caused by carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae. Microbiol Res 2024; 285:127769. [PMID: 38797112 DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2024.127769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) has emerged as a global threat due to its high mortality in clinical patients. However, the specific mechanisms underlying this increased mortality remain unclear. The objective of this study is to investigate how the development of a resistance phenotype contributes to the significantly higher mortality associated with this pathogen. To achieve this, a collection of isogeneic strains was generated. The clinical carbapenem-susceptible K. pneumoniae (CSKP) strain HKU3 served as the control isolate, while HKU3-KPC was created through conjugation with a blaKPC-2-bearing plasmid and served as clinical CRKP strain. Using a sepsis model, it was demonstrated that both HKU3 and HKU3-KPC exhibited similar levels of virulence. Flow cytometry, RNA-seq, and ELISA analysis were employed to assess immune cell response, M1 macrophage polarization, and cytokine storm induction, revealing that both strains elicited comparable types and levels of these immune responses. Subsequently, meropenem was utilized to treat K. pneumoniae infection, and it was found that meropenem effectively reduced bacterial load, inhibited M1 macrophage polarization, and suppressed serum cytokine production during HKU3 (CSKP) infection. However, these effects were not observed in the case of HKU3-KPC (CRKP) infection. These findings provide evidence that the high mortality associated with CRKP is attributed to its enhanced survival within the host during antibiotic treatment, resulting in a cytokine storm and subsequent host death. The development of an effective therapy for CRKP infections could significantly reduce the mortality caused by this pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Yang
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China; State Key Lab of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery and the Department of Food Science and Nutrition, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Qi Xu
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China; State Key Lab of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery and the Department of Food Science and Nutrition, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Miaomiao Xie
- State Key Lab of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery and the Department of Food Science and Nutrition, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yang Tang
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China; State Key Lab of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery and the Department of Food Science and Nutrition, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Qiao Hu
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China; State Key Lab of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery and the Department of Food Science and Nutrition, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Heng Heng
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China; State Key Lab of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery and the Department of Food Science and Nutrition, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Xuemei Yang
- State Key Lab of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery and the Department of Food Science and Nutrition, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Xiaoxuan Liu
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China; State Key Lab of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery and the Department of Food Science and Nutrition, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Edward Wai-Chi Chan
- State Key Lab of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery and the Department of Food Science and Nutrition, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Guan Yang
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Sheng Chen
- State Key Lab of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery and the Department of Food Science and Nutrition, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong SAR, China; Shenzhen Key Lab for Biological Safety Control, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, China.
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Ofosu-Appiah F, Acquah EE, Mohammed J, Sakyi Addo C, Agbodzi B, Ofosu DAS, Myers CJ, Mohktar Q, Ampomah OW, Ablordey A, Amissah NA. Klebsiella pneumoniae ST147 harboring blaNDM-1, multidrug resistance and hypervirulence plasmids. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0301723. [PMID: 38315028 PMCID: PMC10913492 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03017-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
The spread of hypervirulent (hv) and carbapenem-/multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae is an emerging problem in healthcare settings. The New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase-1 (blaNDM-1) is found in Enterobacteriaceae including K. pneumoniae. The blaNDM-1 is capable of hydrolyzing β-lactam antibiotics which are used for treatment of severe infections caused by multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. This is associated with the unacceptably high mortality rate in immunocompromised burn injury patients. This study reports on the characterization of blaNDM-1 gene and virulence factors in hv carbapenem-/multidrug-resistant K. pneumoniae ST147 in the burns unit of a tertiary teaching hospital during routine surveillance. Two K. pneumoniae strains were obtained from wounds of burn-infected patients from May 2020 to July 2021. The hypervirulence genes and genetic context of the blaNDM-1 gene and mobile genetic elements potentially involved in the transposition of the gene were analyzed. We identified a conserved genetic background and an IS26 and open reading frame flanking the blaNDM-1 gene that could suggest its involvement in the mobilization of the gene. The plasmid harbored additional antibiotic resistance predicted regions that were responsible for resistance to almost all the routinely used antibiotics. To ensure the identification of potential outbreak strains during routine surveillance, investigations on resistance genes and their environment in relation to evolution are necessary for molecular epidemiology.IMPORTANCEData obtained from this study will aid in the prompt identification of disease outbreaks including evolving resistance and virulence of the outbreak bacteria. This will help establish and implement antimicrobial stewardship programs and infection prevention protocols in fragile health systems in countries with limited resources. Integration of molecular surveillance and translation of whole-genome sequencing in routine diagnosis will provide valuable data for control of infection. This study reports for the first time a high-risk clone K. pneumoniae ST147 with hypervirulence and multidrug-resistance features in Ghana.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederick Ofosu-Appiah
- West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
- Department of Bacteriology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Ezra E. Acquah
- Department of Bacteriology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Jibril Mohammed
- Department of Bacteriology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Comfort Sakyi Addo
- Department of Bacteriology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Bright Agbodzi
- Department of Bacteriology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Dorcas A. S. Ofosu
- Department of Bacteriology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Charles J. Myers
- Department of Bacteriology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Quaneeta Mohktar
- Department of Bacteriology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Opoku-Ware Ampomah
- The Burns Unit, Reconstructive Plastic Surgery and Burns Unit, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana
| | - Anthony Ablordey
- Department of Bacteriology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Nana Ama Amissah
- Department of Bacteriology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
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Douradinha B. Biographical Feature: In memoriam Reinhard Glück (1950-2021)-Swiss by birth, Sicilian by choice. J Virol 2023; 97:e0149523. [PMID: 37877720 PMCID: PMC10688360 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01495-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2023] Open
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Douradinha B. Should multidrug resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae strains displaying hypervirulent traits be reclassified as either ultravirulent or supervirulent? Microbiol Res 2023; 275:127446. [PMID: 37422962 DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2023.127446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 06/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
Historically, Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates were described either as hypervirulent or classical. While hypervirulent strains display a precise phenotype (thicker capsule, hypermucoviscosity, absence of antibiotic resistance markers, several siderophores, etc.), classical strains can relate to all other K. pneumoniae strains, including virulent multidrug-resistant clinical isolates. Recently, many surveillance studies reported virulent K. pneumoniae nosocomial strains resistant to all antibiotic classes which also contain genetic markers associated with hypervirulence. Due to their higher virulence and clinical importance, here it is proposed reclassify them as ultravirulent and as supervirulent, to distinguish them from each other and from those with either hypervirulent or virulent phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Douradinha
- Nykode Therapeutics ASA, Oslo Science Park, Gaustadalléen 21, 0349 Oslo, Norway.
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Cornacchia A, Janowicz A, Centorotola G, Saletti MA, Ranieri SC, Ancora M, Ripà P, Cammà C, Pomilio F, Chiaverini A. Multi-approach methods to predict cryptic carbapenem resistance mechanisms in Klebsiella pneumoniae detected in Central Italy. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1242693. [PMID: 37700864 PMCID: PMC10493390 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1242693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The rapid emergence of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (Kp) strains in diverse environmental niches, even outside of the clinical setting, poses a challenge for the detection and the real-time monitoring of novel antimicrobial resistance trends using molecular and whole genome sequencing-based methods. The aim of our study was to understand cryptic resistance determinants responsible for the phenotypic carbapenem resistance observed in strains circulating in Italy by using a combined approach involving whole genome sequencing (WGS) and genome-wide association study (GWAS). In this study, we collected 303 Kp strains from inside and outside clinical settings between 2018-2022 in the Abruzzo region of Italy. The antimicrobial resistance profile of all isolates was assessed using both phenotypic and bioinformatic methods. We identified 11 strains resistant to carbapenems, which did not carry any known genetic determinants explaining their phenotype. The GWAS results showed that incongruent carbapenem-resistant phenotype was associated specifically with strains with two capsular types, KL13 and KL116 including genes involved in the capsule synthesis, encoding proteins involved in the assembly of the capsule biosynthesis apparatus, capsule-specific sugar synthesis, processing and export, polysaccharide pyruvyl transferase, and lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis protein. These preliminary results confirmed the potential of GWAS in identifying genetic variants present in KL13 and KL116 that could be associated with carbapenem resistance traits in Kp. The implementation of advanced methods, such as GWAS with increased antimicrobial resistance surveillance will potentially improve Kp infection treatment and patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Cornacchia
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise “G. Caporale”, Via Campo Boario, Teramo, Italy
| | - Anna Janowicz
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise “G. Caporale”, Via Campo Boario, Teramo, Italy
| | - Gabriella Centorotola
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise “G. Caporale”, Via Campo Boario, Teramo, Italy
| | - Maria Antonietta Saletti
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise “G. Caporale”, Via Campo Boario, Teramo, Italy
| | - Sofia Chiatamone Ranieri
- Operative Unit of Clinical Pathology and Microbiology, Department of Services, ASL of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
| | - Massimo Ancora
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise “G. Caporale”, Via Campo Boario, Teramo, Italy
| | - Paola Ripà
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise “G. Caporale”, Via Campo Boario, Teramo, Italy
| | - Cesare Cammà
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise “G. Caporale”, Via Campo Boario, Teramo, Italy
| | - Francesco Pomilio
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise “G. Caporale”, Via Campo Boario, Teramo, Italy
| | - Alexandra Chiaverini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise “G. Caporale”, Via Campo Boario, Teramo, Italy
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Cuscino N, Fatima A, Di Pilato V, Bulati M, Alfano C, Monaca E, Di Mento G, Di Carlo D, Cardinale F, Monaco F, Rossolini GM, Khan AM, Conaldi PG, Douradinha B. Computational design and characterization of a multiepitope vaccine against carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae strains, derived from antigens identified through reverse vaccinology. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2022; 20:4446-4463. [PMID: 36051872 PMCID: PMC9418682 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2022.08.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2022] [Revised: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Klebsiella pneumoniae is a Gram-negative pathogen of clinical relevance, which can provoke serious urinary and blood infections and pneumonia. This bacterium is a major public health threat due to its resistance to several antibiotic classes. Using a reverse vaccinology approach, 7 potential antigens were identified, of which 4 were present in most of the sequences of Italian carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae clinical isolates. Bioinformatics tools demonstrated the antigenic potential of these bacterial proteins and allowed for the identification of T and B cell epitopes. This led to a rational design and in silico characterization of a multiepitope vaccine against carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae strains. As adjuvant, the mycobacterial heparin-binding hemagglutinin adhesin (HBHA), which is a Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4) agonist, was included, to increase the immunogenicity of the construct. The multiepitope vaccine candidate was analyzed by bioinformatics tools to assess its antigenicity, solubility, allergenicity, toxicity, physical and chemical parameters, and secondary and tertiary structures. Molecular docking binding energies to TLR-2 and TLR-4, two important innate immunity receptors involved in the immune response against K. pneumoniae infections, and molecular dynamics simulations of such complexes supported active interactions. A codon optimized multiepitope sequence cloning strategy is proposed, for production of recombinant vaccine in classical bacterial vectors. Finally, a 3 dose-immunization simulation with the multiepitope construct induced both cellular and humoral immune responses. These results suggest that this multiepitope construct has potential as a vaccination strategy against carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae and deserves further validation.
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