Outbreak of IncX8 Plasmid-Mediated KPC-3-Producing Enterobacterales Infection, China

We report an outbreak of KPC-3-producing Enterobacterales infection in China. During August 2020-June 2021, 25 blaKPC-3-positive Enterobacteriale isolates were detected from 24 patients in China. Whole-genome sequencing analysis revealed that the blaKPC-3 genes were harbored by IncX8 plasmids. The outbreak involved clonal expansion of KPC-3-producing Serratia marcescens and transmission of blaKPC-3 plasmids across different species. The blaKPC-3 plasmids demonstrated high conjugation frequencies (10-3 to 10-4). A Galleria mellonella infection model showed that 2 sequence type 65 K2 K. pneumoniae strains containing blaKPC-3 plasmids were highly virulent. A ceftazidime/avibactam in vitro selection assay indicated that the KPC-3-producing strains can readily develop resistance. The spread of blaKPC-3-harboring IncX8 plasmids and these KPC-3 strains should be closely monitored in China and globally.PMID:35731165 | DOI:10.3201/eid2807.212181
Source: Emerging Infectious Diseases - Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Source Type: research