The Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (bla) gene is one of the most widespread carbapenemase genes in the world. However, there are few reports on KPC-producing bacteria in Japan. In this study, our aim is to investigate KPC-producing K. pneumoniae in Japan.
KPC-2-producing K. pneumoniae was isolated from a hospital sewage water in Japan in 2018. The complete genome was determined by whole-genome sequencing, subsequently comparative sequence analysis of the bla-carrying plasmid was performed.
K. pneumoniae KAM260, belonging to sequence type 3026 (ST3026), harbored the bla gene in 114.6 kbp plasmid pKAM260_2 with IncFIB(pQIL) and IncFII(K) replicons. pKAM260_2 was highly identical to pKpQIL-like plasmids, which carry the bla genes and have spread worldwide. pKAM260_2 had functional conjugation-associated genes, and was transferable to Escherichia coli.
pKAM260_2, the self-transmissible plasmid carrying the bla gene, was detected from a hospital sewage water in Japan and characterized as pKpQIL-like plasmid. This plasmid needs to be monitored in Japan in the future due to its high diffusivity.
Copyright © 2020. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Complete genome sequencing and comparative plasmid analysis of KPC-2-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from a hospital sewage water in Japan.
