Hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae

Abstract

Hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae (hvKP), especially multidrug-resistant hvKP (MDR-hvKP) infections, are distributed globally, and lead to several outbreaks with high pathogenicity and mortality in immunocompetent individuals. This is usually characterized by a rapidly metastatic spread resulting in multiple pyogenic tissue abscesses. To date, even though the explanation of hypervirulent factors of hvKP has been identified, it still remains to be fully understood. The most common key virulence agents of hvKP included (1) siderophore systems for iron acquisition, (2) increased capsule production, (3) the colibactin toxin, (4) hypermucoviscosity, and so on. Several hypervirulence factors have been renewed, and the evolution of MDR-hvKP has been deeply explored recently. We aim to describe a chain of key virulence agents attributed to the lethality of hvKP and MDR-hvKP. In this review, recent advances in renewed factors in hypervirulence were summarized, and potential therapeutic targets are explored. Novel co-existence of hypervirulence agents and multidrug-resistant elements, even the superplasmid, was screened. Superplasmid simultaneously harbours hypervirulence and multidrug-resistant genes and can mobile autonomously by its complete conjugative elements. Research into related immunity has also gained traction, which may cause multiple invasive infections with higher mortality rates than classical ones, such as neutrophil-and complement-mediated activity. The evolution of virulence and multidrug resistance is accelerating. More reliable methods for identifying hvKP or MDR-hvKP must be investigated. Furthermore, it is critical to investigate innovative treatment targets in the future.

Correlation between Drug Resistance of Klebsiella Pneumonia and Antimicrobial Drug Usage

“…Klebsiella pneumoniae is the most important group of bacteria in the Enterobacteriaceae family (commonly known as S. pneumoniae ) [ 1 ], which invades the lungs via the respiratory tract and causes lobar or lobular fusion solids [ 2 ]. It is a common opportunistic pathogen in clinical practice [ 3 , 4 ] that causes infections in the respiratory system, abdominal cavity, and urinary tract, with a high morbidity and mortality rate.…”

Impact of Sub-MIC Eugenol on Klebsiella pneumoniae Biofilm Formation via Upregulation of rcsB

“…Previous investigation revealed that the production of cell surface structures was dependent on the Rcs cascade complex signal transduction system ( 11 ), and peptidoglycan synthesis was responsible for bacteria growth ( 21 ). Several virulence factors such as CPS, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and biofilm formation-related factors responsible for pathogenicity were identified in K. pneumoniae ( 22 ). Biofilm is also considered an important factor of virulence in pathogenic bacteria.…”

Liver Abscess Combined with Endogenous Endophthalmitis Caused by Genotype ST25 Serotype K2 Hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae: A Case Report

“…HvKp is characterized by a hypermucoviscous phenotype and hypervirulence, and can manifest as multiple invasive infections in infected persons, which can include liver abscess, prostate abscess, meningitis, lung abscess, endophthalmia, and so on. 7–9 In recent years, the emergence of carbapenem-resistant HvKp (CR-HvKp) has presented great challenges to clinicians. 10 …”

“…HvKp is characterized by a hypermucoviscous phenotype and hypervirulence, and can manifest as multiple invasive infections in infected persons, which can include liver abscess, prostate abscess, meningitis, lung abscess, endophthalmia, and so on. [7][8][9] In recent years, the emergence of carbapenem-resistant HvKp (CR-HvKp) has presented great challenges to clinicians. 10 Here, we report a patient with liver abscess and EE in the left eye caused by a strain of ST25-K2 HvKp, which to our knowledge, has rarely been reported in the literature.…”