Draft genome sequences of two hypermucoviscous carbapenem-resistant ST25 Klebsiella pneumoniae strains causing respiratory and systemic infections

Objectives: The emergence and spread of hypermucoviscous KPC-2-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae strains belonging to the sequence type 25 (ST25) clone was reported recently in Northwest Argentina as a leading cause of nosocomial infections. The aim of this work was to perform whole-genome sequencing (WGS) to analyse antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs), virulence factors and colonisation-associated genes in two carbapenem-resistant KPC-2-producing ST25 K. pneumoniae strains isolated from hospitalised patients. Methods: Classical microbiological methods were applied to recover K. pneumoniae LABACER 01 from a bone sample and LABACER 27 from the respiratory tract of two hospitalised patients. Bacteria were identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF). WGS was performed using an Illumina MiSeq platform. Genome annotation and analysis were performed with available databases and bioinformatic tools. Results: Genomic analysis revealed a genome of 5 598 020 bp with 19 further characterised ARGs in strain LABACER 01, and a genome of 5 622 382 bp with 20 ARGs in strain LABACER 27. Bioinformatics analysis also predicted genomic regions associated with virulence factors and mucosal tissue colonisation. Conclusion: This study reports the genomic analysis of K. pneumoniae LABACER 01 and LABACER 27, two hypermucoviscous carbapenem-resistant ST25 strains, which expands our knowledge on the antibiotic resistance, pathogenic mechanisms and biology of ST25 clones recently emerging in Argentina.