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BMC Infectious Diseases

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Open Access 01-12-2014 | Research article

Plasmid transferability of KPC into a virulent K2 serotype Klebsiella pneumoniae

Authors: Leung-Kei Kristopher Siu, David B Huang, Tom Chiang

Published in: BMC Infectious Diseases | Issue 1/2014

Abstract

Background

KPC-producing carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) infections are associated with high mortality; however, their virulence determinants are not well defined.

Methods

We investigated the virulence and plasmid transferability among KPC-containing K. pneumoniae isolates.

Results

KPC-2 and -3 were successfully conjugated and retained by a virulent K2 K. pneumoniae recipient isolate. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing showed KPC-2 and -3 donor strains were resistant to more than four classes of antibiotics while the K2 isolate was only initially resistant to ampicillin. After conjugation of KPC-2 and -3, the K2 K. pneumoniae transconjugants became resistant to all beta-lactams. Additionally, the KPC K2 K. pneumoniae transconjugants continued to retain its high serum resistance and murine lethality.

Conclusions

Conjugation and retainment of KPC by virulent K2 K. pneumoniae and the ability of the tranconjugants to maintain its high serum resistance and murine lethality after conjugation was demonstrated in this study. These findings are concerning for the potential of KPC-like genes to disseminate among virulent K. pneumoniae isolates.

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The pre-publication history for this paper can be accessed here:http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2334/14/176/prepub

Title: Plasmid transferability of KPC into a virulent K2 serotype Klebsiella pneumoniae
Authors: Leung-Kei Kristopher Siu
David B Huang
Tom Chiang
Publication date: 01-12-2014
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: BMC Infectious Diseases / Issue 1/2014
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2334
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2334-14-176

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