Identification of <i>bla</i><sub>VIM-1</sub> Gene in ST307 and ST661 <i>Klebsiella pneumoniae</i> Clones in Italy: Old Acquaintances for New Combinations.
Piazza. Aurora A; Comandatore. Francesco F; Romeri. Francesca F; Brilli. Matteo M; Dichirico. Barbara B; Ridolfo. Annalisa A; Antona. Carlo C; Bandi. Claudio C; Gismondo. Maria Rita MR; Rimoldi. Sara Giordana SG
Key Findings
- blaVIM‑1 gene detected in ST307 and ST661 Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates
- Both strains also carry blaCTX‑M‑15, qnrS1, qnrB1, strB, mphA, tetR, and tetA resistance genes
- Emerging ST307 and ST661 clones are now linked to outbreaks across Europe, indicating changing epidemiology in Italy
Practical Outcomes
- For most biohackers and self‑experimenters, this study offers little direct guidance for personal health or performance. It mainly alerts clinicians and infection‑control teams to evolving antibiotic‑resistant bacteria in hospitals, not to actionable protocols for longevity or metabolic health.
Summary
Scientists found that two strains of a hospital‑associated bacteria, Klebsiella pneumoniae, in Italy carry a powerful antibiotic‑resistance gene called blaVIM‑1, along with several other resistance genes. These strains belong to emerging lineages (ST307 and ST661) that are spreading in Europe, signaling a shift in the bacterial landscape.
Abstract
In the past years, the <i>Klebsiella pneumoniae</i> carbapenemase (KPC)-producing <i>K. pneumoniae</i> sequence type 258 (ST258) became an important worldwide spread nosocomial pathogen. Recent evidence shows that the global epidemiology is changing, with the rise of new lineages. In this study we report the microbiological and genomic features of two VIM-1-producing <i>K. pneumoniae</i> isolates belonging to the emerging ST307. Two extensively drug-resistant <i>K. pneumoniae</i> strains, collected between May and June 2017, were confirmed as <i>bla</i><sub>VIM</sub> positive by GeneXpert system. The whole-genome sequencing revealed that both KpV_S_1 and KpV_S_2 isolates harbored <i>bla</i><sub>VIM-1</sub> and <i>bla</i><sub>CTX-M-15</sub> genes, besides <i>qnrS1</i> and <i>qnrB1</i>, <i>strB, mphA, tetR</i>, and <i>tetA</i> determinants. KpV_S_1 and KpV_S_2 isolates belonged to ST661 and ST307, respectively. Both STs have been recently reported as responsible of outbreaks in several European countries. The detection of <i>bla</i><sub>VIM-1</sub> gene in nonpredominant <i>K. pneumoniae</i> clones in a hospital setting should alert on the changing of the epidemiological situation in Italy, usually endemic reservoir of KPC enzyme.
Study Information
pubmed
2018
2018-12-27T00:00:00.000Z
10.1089/mdr.2018.0327
24
12