Commonality of Multidrug-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae ST348 Isolates in Horses and Humans in Portugal

Abstract

Multidrug-resistant (MDR) Klebsiella pneumoniae is considered a major global concern by the World Health Organization. Evidence is growing on the importance of circulation of MDR bacterial populations between animals and humans. Horses have been shown to carry commensal isolates of this bacterial species and can act as human MDR bacteria reservoirs. In this study, we characterized an extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing K. pneumoniae sequence type (ST) 348 isolate from a horse, an ST reported for the first time in an animal, using next-generation sequencing. We compared it with six other MDR K. pneumoniae ST348 human isolates previously identified in health-care facilities in Portugal using a core genome multi-locus sequence typing approach to evaluate a possible genetic link. The horse isolate was resistant to most of the antimicrobials tested, including 3rd generation cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones, and aminoglycosides, and presented several antimicrobial resistance genes, including bla ESBL . Twenty-one allele differences were found between the horse isolate and the most similar human isolate, suggesting a recent common ancestor. Other similarities were observed regarding the content on antimicrobial resistance genes, plasmid incompatibility groups, and capsular and somatic antigens. This study illustrates the relevance of the dissemination of MDR strains, and enhances that identification of these types of bacterial strains in both human and veterinary settings is of significant relevance in order to understand and implement combined control strategies for MDR bacteria in animals and humans.

Broad-Spectrum Cephalosporin-Resistant Klebsiella spp. Isolated from Diseased Horses in Austria

“…The present study demonstrates that broad-spectrum cephalosporin-resistant members of the genus Klebsiella are present in the Austrian horse population, although the prevalence in clinical samples seems to be low. These findings are in accordance with previous studies describing the presence of these particular bacteria in horse populations of other countries [4,[6][7][8][9][10]. Moreover, a previous study carried out in 2018 on clinical samples from Austrian patients reported 8.4% of K. pneumoniae isolates as resistant to third-generation cephalosporins [23].…”

“…Contrarily, there is still a scarcity of information on broad-spectrum cephalosporin-resistant K. pneumoniae and members of the genus Klebsiella isolated from horses and other domestic animals. To date, only a few equine broad-spectrum cephalosporin-resistant Klebsiella have been isolated and characterized [4,[6][7][8][9][10]. Recent studies reported that some of the characterized resistant K. pneumoniae isolates of equine origin were human-associated multidrug-resistant (MDR) K. pneumoniae [4,8].…”

Multidrug-Resistant ESBL/AmpC-Producing Klebsiella pneumoniae Isolated from Healthy Thoroughbred Racehorses in Japan

“…Klebsiella spp. is a normal intestinal bacteria in horses [1] and is ubiquitous in the environment [2]. However, some studies have reported Klebsiella spp.…”

“…However, some studies have reported Klebsiella spp. as a causal agent for infections in horses, such as mares with metritis and cervicitis, foals with septicemia and pneumonia [3], and pneumonia in adult horses [2], and disease severity depends on the pathogenicity of the strains [1]. In the horse industry, about 25%-60% of economic losses are caused by endometritis, and Klebsiella pneumoniae was reported as one of the causal infections that can be transmitted through the venereal route [4,5].…”

“…Although ESBL/AmpC-producing Klebsiella spp. (ESBL/AmpC-K) are considered a major global concern, information is still lacking for AMR in horses [1]. Moreover, information on ESBL/AmpC-K in horses is unavailable in Japan.…”