Genomic insight into the distribution and genetic environment of blaIMP-4 in clinical carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae strains in China

Abstract

Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) poses a major threat to public health due to its resistance to almost all antibiotics. It is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality and poses a significant challenge to healthcare systems around the globe. Based on our previous nationwide survey of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) in China, seven blaIMP-4-carrying CRKP isolates were identified, all exhibiting MDR and epidemiologically linked to four different regions in China. WGS analysis revealed that the seven blaIMP-4 genes were all located on plasmids, of which five blaIMP-4 genes were located on the IncHI5 plasmids and the other two belonged to the IncN and IncFIIK plasmids, respectively. Except for the IncHI5 plasmid, conjugation assays revealed that the IncN and IncFIIK plasmids could be transferred to the recipient strain Escherichia coli J53. This study revealed significant genetic variation and identified numerous resistance factors among blaIMP-4-carrying CRKP strains in China, suggesting that blaIMP-4-carrying CRKP strains evolved via multiple phylogenetic routes and highlighting a need for expanded surveillance and establishment of control measures to prevent dissemination of CRKP strains, and facilitate development of more effective antibiotic stewardship policies and infection control programs.