Screening of <i>Klebsiella pneumoniae</i> Isolates for Carbapenemase and Hypervirulence-Associated Genes by Combining the Eazyplex^® Superbug CRE and hvKp Assays

• Main Authors: Jürgen Rödel (Author), Yvonne Pfeifer (Author), Martin A. Fischer (Author), Birgit Edel (Author), Sylvia Stoll (Author), Wolfgang Pfister (Author), Bettina Löffler (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: MDPI AG, 2023-05-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.

Summary

The acquisition of hypervirulence-associated genes by carbapenemase-producing <i>Klebsiella pneumoniae</i> is being increasingly observed, and easy-to-use diagnostic tests are needed for the surveillance of the hypervirulent <i>K. pneumoniae</i> (hvKp). In this pilot study, 87 <i>K. pneumoniae</i> isolates from invasive infections collected in 2022 and 2023 were analysed using the LAMP-based eazyplex^® Superbug CRE and hvKp assays for the simultaneous identification of carbapenemases and virulence genes (<i>rmpA/A2</i>, <i>iuC</i>, <i>iroC</i>, <i>ybt</i>, <i>clb</i>). Nine isolates showed a Kleborate virulence score of 4 or 5 (10.3%). The time for the results of the eazyplex^® assays ranged from 6.5 to 13 min, and the total turnaround time, including sample preparation, was less than 30 min. Five isolates, three of which produced New Delhi metallo-beta lactamase (NDM), were subjected to whole-genome sequencing (WGS) analysis for further characterisation. The eazyplex^® test results for beta-lactamase and virulence genes were confirmed. The eazyplex^® hvKp, currently only available as a Research Use Only assay, may be a useful tool for the rapid identification of hvKp without significant additional workload when combined with the eazyplex^® Superbug CRE assay for the detection of carbapenemases.

Item Description

10.3390/antibiotics12060959
2079-6382