Complete sequences of two new KPC-harboring plasmids in Klebsiella pneumoniae ST11 strains in China

Abstract Objectives Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC) has spread across the world. The present study focuses on exploring the sequences of two new KPC-harboring plasmids in Klebsiella pneumoniae. Results The two KPC-harboring plasmids, pF5 and pF77, carried blaKPC-2, blaCTX-M-65, blaSHV-12, catA2 and fosA3 antimicrobial genes. Detailed sequence comparison revealed that the two plasmids might have evolved from recombination of the reported plasmids pKP1034 and pCT-KPC, which were considered to evolve from ancestor plasmids pHN7A8, pKPC-LK30 and pKPHS2. Our plasmids were non-conjugative and were mainly identified in the sequence type (ST) 11 isolates. Additionally, 4-55 core Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified in each pair of the sequenced isolates that carried the identified plasmids. Conclusions Our plasmids and the previously reported plasmids pKP1034 and pCT-KPC were all detected in the period of 2013-2014 in South China and carried by ST11 K. pneumoniae isolates. The SNP analysis indicated a high similarity of the sequenced isolates. Therefore, the spread of the group of the plasmids may be caused by an outbreak of a clonal dissemination of ST11 KPC-producing K. pneumoniae. Our study also highlights the importance of plasmid analysis in surveillance and control of antibiotic resistance spread in clinical isolates.