Abstract
The increase in infections with multidrug-resistant and virulent Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) strains poses a serious threat to public health. However, environmental reservoirs and routes of transmission for Klebsiella spp. that cause infections in humans and in livestock animals are not well understood. In this study, we aimed to analyze the distribution of antibiotic resistance genes and important virulence determinants (ybt, clb, iro, iuc, rmpA/A2) among 94 Klebsiella spp. isolates from different animal and food sources isolated between 2013 and 2017 in Germany. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed, and the genomes were sequenced by Illumina and Nanopore technology. Genetic relationships were assessed by conducting core genome multilocus sequence typing (cgMLST). Kleborate was used to predict resistance and virulence genes; Kaptive was used to derive the capsule types. The results revealed that 72 isolates (76.6%) belonged to the K. pneumoniae sensu lato complex. Within this complex, 44 known sequence types (STs), 18 new STs, and 38 capsule types were identified. Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) genes were detected in 16 isolates (17.0%) and colistin resistance in one (1.1%) K. pneumoniae isolate. Virulence genes were found in 22 K. pneumoniae isolates. Overall, nine (9.6%) and 18 (19.1%) isolates possessed the genes ybt and iuc, respectively. Notably, aerobactin (iuc lineage 3) was only detected in K. pneumoniae isolates from domestic pigs and wild boars. This study provides a snapshot of the genetic diversity of Klebsiella spp. in animals and food products in Germany. The siderophore aerobactin was found to be more prevalent in K. pneumoniae strains isolated from pigs than other sources. Further investigations are needed to evaluate if pigs constitute a reservoir for iuc lineage 3.
Highlights
Klebsiella ssp. are Gram-negative, rod shaped, facultative anaerobic bacteria that belong to the Enterobacteriaceae family
MALDI-TOF biotyping suggested the presence of 69 K. pneumoniae, 21 K. oxytoca, and 4
Subsequent whole-genome sequencing (WGS)-based analysis revealed that one proposed K. pneumoniae and ten proposed
Summary
Klebsiella ssp. are Gram-negative, rod shaped, facultative anaerobic bacteria that belong to the Enterobacteriaceae family. Are Gram-negative, rod shaped, facultative anaerobic bacteria that belong to the Enterobacteriaceae family. They are ubiquitous in soil, surface waters, plants, and intestines of animals and humans [1,2]. The Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) sensu lato complex is clinically the most problematic and comprises the phylogroups K. pneumoniae (Kp1), K. quasipneumoniae subsp. K. pneumoniae is the second most common cause of BSIs caused by Gram-negative bacteria [8]. Due to the acquisition of multiple antibiotic resistance genes, the treatment of K. pneumoniae infections has become challenging and multidrug-resistant Klebsiella spp. are considered a public health threat—especially for predisposed persons [9,10,11]. K. pneumoniae has been reported as a cause of community-acquired infections, including liver abscesses, endophthalmitis, and meningitis in otherwise healthy individuals [7,12]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
