Search

Globally, antibiotic-resistant Klebsiella spp. cause healthcare-associated infections with high mortality rates, and the rise of hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae (hv Kp ) poses a significant threat to human health linked to community-acquired infections and increasing non-susceptibility. We investigated the phenotypic and genetic features of 36 Klebsiella isolates recovered from invasive infections at Hospital Central of Maputo in Mozambique during one year. The majority of the isolates displayed multidrug resistance (MDR) (29/36) to cephalosporins, gentamicin, ciprofloxacin, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole but retained susceptibility to amikacin, carbapenems, and colistin. Most isolates were ESBLs-producing (28/36), predominantly carrying the bla CTX-M-15 and other beta-lactamase genes ( bla SHV , bla TEM-1 , and bla OXA-1 ). Among the 16 genomes sequenced, multiple resistance genes from different antibiotic classes were identified, with bla CTX-M-15 , mostly in the IS Ecp1 - bla CTX-M-15 - orf477 genetic environment, co-existing with bla TEM-1 and aac(3)-IIa in five isolates. Our results highlight the presence of polyclonal MDR ESBL-producing K. pneumoniae from eight sequence types (ST), mostly harbouring distinct yersiniabactin within the conjugative integrative element (ICE). Further, we identified susceptible hv Kp ST23, O1-K1-type isolates carrying yersiniabactin ( ybt1 /ICEKp10), colibactin, salmochelin, aerobactin, and hypermucoid locus ( rmpADC ), associated with severe infections in humans. These findings are worrying and underline the importance of implementing surveillance strategies to avoid the risk of the emergence of the most threatening MDR hv Kp .

Background: Helicobacter pylori strains show a high level of genotypic diversity and express several genes that contribute to their pathogenicity and resistance. In Mozambique, there is lack of information regarding its resistance pattern to antibiotics. In this study, we aimed to investigate the prevalence of H. pylori and its genotypic resistance to clarithromycin, metronidazole, and fluoroquinolones in Mozambican dyspeptic patients. Since appropriate eradication should be based on the local resistance rate, our data will guide clinicians in choosing the best drugs for the effective treatment of H. pylori-infected patients., Methods: This is a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted between June 2017 and June 2020, in which 171 dyspeptic patients were recruited, and through upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, gastric biopsies were collected from those patients. Polymerase chain reaction was performed for the detection of H. pylori and its resistance mechanisms to clarithromycin (23S rRNA), metronidazole (rdxA), and fluoroquinolones (gyrA); mutations conferring resistance to these antibiotics were investigated by sequencing 23S rRNA, rdxA, and gyrA genes., Results: Of the 171 samples tested, H. pylori was detected in 56.1% (96/171). The clarithromycin resistance rate was 10.4% (the responsible mutations were A2142G and A2143G), the metronidazole resistance rate was 55.2% (4 types of mutations responsible for metronidazole resistance were identified which include, D59N, R90K, H97T, and A118T. However, in many cases, they appeared in combination, with D59N + R90K + A118T being the most frequent combination), and the fluoroquinolones resistance rate was 20% (the responsible mutations were N87I and D91G)., Conclusion: H. pylori infection remains common in dyspeptic Mozambican patients. High resistance to metronidazole and fluoroquinolones requires continuous monitoring of antibiotic resistance and adaptation of therapy to eradicate this infection., (© 2023 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli (ExPEC), particularly high-risk lineages, are responsible for severe infections and increased mortality and hospital costs worldwide, with a major burden in low-income countries. Here we determined the antimicrobial susceptibility and performed whole-genome sequencing of E. coli isolates from extraintestinal infections of patients during 2017-2018 at Maputo Central Hospital (Mozambique). Multidrug resistance was displayed by 71% of isolates (17/24). All isolates resistant to cefotaxime and ceftazidime were positive for ESBL genes (16/24; 67%) and were co-resistant to amoxicillin/clavulanate (14/16; 88%), piperacillin/tazobactam (8/16; 50%), gentamicin (12/16; 75%), trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (15/16; 94%) and ciprofloxacin (11/16; 69%). Several major high-risk ExPEC lineages were identified, such as H30Rx-ST131, fimH41-ST131, H24Rx-ST410, ST617, ST361 and ST69 harbouring bla CTX-M-15 , and H30R-ST131, ST38 and ST457 carrying bla CTX-M-27 . Dissemination of CTX-M transposition units (ISEcp1-bla CTX-M-15 -orf477 and ISEcp1-bla CTX-M-27 -IS903B) among different sequence types could be occurring through the mobility of IncF plasmids. Additionally, all H24Rx-ST410 isolates carried ISEcp1-mediated bla CMY-2 AmpC and specific mutations in PBP3/OmpC proteins, potentially contributing to carbapenem resistance even in the absence of carbapenemase genes. Genome analysis highlighted a high assortment of ExPEC/UPEC virulence-associated genes mainly involved in adhesion, invasion, iron uptake and secretory systems among isolates, and an ExPEC/EAEC hybrid pathotype (fimH27-ST131_O18-ac:H4) showing the highest virulence gene content. cgMLST showed clonality and closely related isolates, particularly among ST131 and ST410, suggesting hospital-acquired infections and long-term ward persistence. Our study provides new insights into ExPEC clones, urging measures to prevent and contain their diffusion in this hospital and Mozambique., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest None declared., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The development of carbapenem resistance in extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli (ExPEC) has significant clinical implications, particularly in countries where second-line antimicrobials are not readily available, rendering treatments ineffective, and ExPEC infections untreatable. Thus, early detection of high-risk ExPEC lineages and raising awareness of the specific mechanisms underlying carbapenem resistance are mandatory for the selection of appropriate treatment options and the prevention of E. coli spread. This study aims to investigate the phenotypic and genotypic features of the first NDM-5 carbapenemase-producing ExPEC strain isolated from the blood of a patient admitted to the Maputo Central Hospital (MCH), in Mozambique. E. coli SSM100 isolate was identified by MALDI-TOF, it displayed high-level resistance to third generation cephalosporins, carbapenems, fluoroquinolones, and aminoglycosides, performing antimicrobial susceptibilities testing by VITEK 2 system. E. coli SSM100 isolate was classified through whole-genome sequencing as ST405-D-O102: H6, a globally distributed lineage associated with antimicrobial resistance, carrying the bla NDM-5 gene located on an F1:A1:B49 plasmid, coharboring bla CTX-M-15, bla TEM-1, aadA2 , sul1 , and dfrA12 genes. In addition, mutations in gyrA (S83L and D87N), parC (S80I and E84V), and parE (I529L) conferring fluoroquinolone resistance were also found. Moreover, SSM100 isolate carried 88 virulence genes, of which 28 are reported to be associated with UPEC. The emergence of NDM-5 carbapenemase in a pandemic ST405-D-O102:H6 clone in Mozambique is of great concern. Locations of extended-spectrum β-lactamase determinants and NDM-5 carbapenemase gene on Inc F -plasmid can increase their spread reinforcing the need for antimicrobial surveillance and the urgent introduction of carbapenemase detection tests in diagnostic laboratories of the country.