Genome sequence of a multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae ST78 with high colistin resistance isolated from a patient in India

Abstract

Objectives: Multidrug-resistant (MDR) Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates with colistin resistance are a major concern in healthcare settings. This study aimed to evaluate the genome-wide distribution of antimicrobial resistance genes in K. pneumoniae CRKP I with high colistin resistance isolated from a patient in India.

Methods: The whole genome of K. pneumoniae CRKP I was sequenced on an Illumina MiSeq platform. De novo genome assembly was performed using SPAdes v.3.0.0, and the genome sequence was analysed using bioinformatics tools available from the Center for Genomic Epidemiology.

Results: The genome of K. pneumoniae CRKP I is 5.1 Mb in size and contains different classes of antimicrobial resistance genes. The isolate is highly resistant to colistin owing to a point mutation in mgrB gene, encoding a negative regulator of the PhoP/PhoQ two-component system. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) showed that K. pneumoniae CRKP I belongs to ST78.

Conclusion: These data provide useful information for comparative genomic analysis regarding the dissemination of antimicrobial resistance genes in K. pneumoniae. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a MDR K. pneumoniae with high colistin resistance belonging to ST78 causing infection in a human.

Keywords: Klebsiella pneumoniae; Multidrug resistance; ST78; mgrB.