Characterization of Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC)-14, a KPC variant conferring resistance to ceftazidime-avibactam in the extensively drug-resistant ST463 Pseudomonas aeruginosa clinical isolate

Abstract

Objective

We studied two Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC)-14 variants from clinical Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates (C137 and C159) to better understand the genomic diversity, mechanisms, and genes that confer antibiotic resistance and pathogenicity.

Methods

Genomic DNA from C137/159 was subjected to Illumina and Oxford Nanopore sequencing. Horizontal transmission of the plasmid was evaluated using cloning experiments. The expression of efflux pumps, the outer membrane protein OprD, and the enzyme AmpC was quantified using qRT-PCR. The detectability of KPC-14 was evaluated using different methods, and biofilm formation assays and growth curves were assessed.

Results

C137 and C159, sequence type 463 ExoU-positive multidrug-resistant strains, were concurrently resistant to carbapenems and ceftazidime-avibactam. Both strains possessed five intrinsic antimicrobial resistance genes (fosA, catB7, crpP, bla_PAO, and a bla_OXA-486 variant) as well as bla_KPC-14. In strain C137, bla_KPC-14 was located on a plasmid (pC137). Both strains expressed the bla_KPC-14 gene, concurrent inactivation of OprD, overexpression of the MexX efflux pump, and a pronounced capacity for biofilm formation. The genomic environment of KPC-14 consisted of IS26/IS26/TnpR_Tn3/ISKpn27/ISKpn6/IS26, which classified it as pseudo-compound transposon (PCT). IS26-mediated PCTs may store a variety of resistance genes, including bla_KPC-2 and KPC variants, which are currently disseminating in this region.

Conclusions

The KPC-14 variant presents significant challenges for clinical treatment. The bla_KPC-14 gene carried by PCTs was integrated into the chromosome and exhibited stability throughout bacterial inheritance. Our research highlights the need for improved clinical surveillance of KPC-producing P. aeruginosa.