pKpQIL-like plasmid contributes to the dissemination of bla NDM-1 and plasmid mediated quinolone resistance determinants among multi drug resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae in Assiut university hospital, Egypt

Heba Ali Hammad; Ismail Seddik Mohamed; Omnia  El-Badawy; Amira  M Zakaria; Lamia  Shabaan; Sherine  Ahmed Aly

doi:10.18502/ijm.v15i2.12471

Heba Ali Hammad Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
Ismail Seddik Mohamed Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
Omnia El-Badawy Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
Amira M Zakaria Biotechnology Research Institute, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt
Lamia Shabaan Department of Chest, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
Sherine Ahmed Aly Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijm.v15i2.12471

Keywords: Klebsiella pneumoniae; Plasmids; New Delhi metalo beta-lactamase; Drug resistance; Polymerase chain reaction

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Concomitant carriage of bla NDM-1 and plasmid mediated quinolone resistance determinants (PMQRs) by multi drug resistant (MDR) Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) has increased globally, often related to their presence on transmissible plasmids. In this study, we hypothesized the presence of bla and PMQRs on a single conjugative plasmid that circulates among K. pneumoniae strains isolated from Assiut University Hospital.

Materials and Methods: Twenty-two clinical MDR K. pneumoniae strains harboring both bla NDM-1 and PMQRs were gen- otyped using pulsed field gel electrophoresis. Horizontal transfer of bla and PMQRs was evaluated by conjugation and trans-conjugants were screened for the presence of both genes and integron by PCR. Trans-conjugant’s plasmid DNA bands were purified using agarose gel electrophoresis and different DNA bands were screened for bla NDM-1 and PMQRs. Plasmids carrying bla NDM-1 and PMQRs were typed by PCR based replicon typing.

Results: All MDR K. pneumoniae contained class 1 integron and belonged to 15 pulsotypes. Bla NDM-1 and PMQRs were co-transferred in each conjugation process. Multiple replicons (5-9 types) were detected in each trans-conjugant; with In- cFIIK and IncFIB-KQ replicons being common among all trans-conjugants. Both bla pKpQIL-like multi-replicon plasmid that was present in all K. pneumoniae strains. NDM-1 and PMQRs were detected on a

Conclusion: In view of these results, the presence of bla NDM-1 and PMQRs on pKpQIL-like plasmid that existed in multiple unrelated K. pneumoniae isolates is highly suggestive of the circulation of pKpQIL-like MDR plasmids in our hospitals. Moreover, carriage of integrons by the-circulating MDR plasmids increases the risk of dissemination of antimicrobial resis- tance among pathogens.