Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Ying Zhou, Chunyang Wu, Bingjie Wang, YanLei Xu, Huilin Zhao, Yinjuan Guo, Xiaocui Wu, Jingyi Yu, Lulin Rao, Xinyi Wang, Fangyou Yu
Summary: This study found that high-virulence K. pneumoniae strains (KL1/KL2) have lower resistance to antibiotics compared to carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae strains (CRKP). It also discovered that the pLVPK-like virulence plasmid and IncF blaKPC-2 plasmid are crucial for the formation of hypervirulent and carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae.
DRUG RESISTANCE UPDATES
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Dongxing Tian, Weiwen Wang, Meng Li, Wenjie Chen, Ying Zhou, Yunkun Huang, Zike Sheng, Xiaofei Jiang
Summary: The study focused on the hypervirulence and transfer ability of a hypervirulent strain of Klebsiella pneumoniae harboring a conjugative virulence plasmid. Results showed that the transconjugants acquired the ability to produce high levels of siderophores and caused high mortality in wax larvae and mice, suggesting the potential spread of similar plasmids throughout China and possibly worldwide.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Infectious Diseases
Junjun Chen, Huan Zhang, Xuelian Liao
Summary: Hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae (hvKP), including multidrug-resistant hvKP (MDR-hvKP), is a global concern due to its ability to cause outbreaks with high pathogenicity and mortality. Key virulence agents associated with hvKP and MDR-hvKP include iron acquisition systems, increased capsule production, colibactin toxin, and hypermu-coviscosity. Recent advances have identified new hypervirulence factors and explored the evolution of MDR-hvKP. Further research is needed to identify reliable methods for detection and investigate innovative treatment targets.
INFECTION AND DRUG RESISTANCE
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Yi Zhang, Chen Chen, Jing Wu, Jialin Jin, Tao Xu, Yang Zhou, Peng Cui, Jiazhen Chen, Shu Chen, Ning Jiang, Wenhong Zhang
Summary: In this study, we combined genomic and epidemiological analyses to investigate the transmission pattern and genetic characteristics of Carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (CP-Kpn) in a hospital in China. We identified clonal transmission as the main cause of CP-Kpn infections and discovered four novel plasmids carrying virulence genes. These findings highlight the importance of preventing and controlling CP-Kpn transmission to reduce nosocomial infections.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Joo-Hee Hwang, Jeong-Hwan Hwang, Seung Yeob Lee, Jaehyeon Lee
Summary: This study investigated the clinical and microbiological characteristics of prostatic abscesses caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae. The results showed that a particular hypervirulent strain of K. pneumoniae, associated with the K1 capsular type and the presence of the rmpA and iutA genes, was an important pathogen in prostatic abscesses.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Review
Infectious Diseases
Peng Lan, Yan Jiang, Jiancang Zhou, Yunsong Yu
Summary: Hypervirulence and carbapenem resistance have emerged as two distinct evolutionary directions for Klebsiella pneumoniae, posing a great threat in clinical settings. CR-hvKP strains, integrating both phenotypes, have become increasingly prevalent globally, primarily in Asia. The mechanisms for the emergence of CR-hvKP can be summarised by three patterns, and continued surveillance of their dissemination should be highly prioritised.
JOURNAL OF GLOBAL ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Joo-Hee Hwang, Seung Yeob Lee, Jaehyeon Lee, Jeong-Hwan Hwang
Summary: This study investigated the clinical characteristics of pyogenic spondylitis, as well as the serotypes and virulence factors of Klebsiella pneumoniae. The results showed that hypervirulent K. pneumoniae, especially the K1 and K2 serotypes, could be a rare but possible causative agent of pyogenic spondylitis.
BMC INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Elvira R. Shaidullina, Michael Schwabe, Thomas Rohde, Valeria V. Shapovalova, Marina S. Dyachkova, Alina D. Matsvay, Yuliya A. Savochkina, Andrey A. Shelenkov, Yulia V. Mikhaylova, Katharina Sydow, Francois Lebreton, Evgeny A. Idelevich, Stefan E. Heiden, Karsten Becker, Roman S. Kozlov, German A. Shipulin, Vasiliy G. Akimkin, Michael Lalk, Sebastian Guenther, Andreas E. Zautner, Juergen A. Bohnert, Ayslu M. Mardanova, Ruth Bouganim, Dror Marchaim, Katharina J. Hoff, Katharina Schaufler, Mikhail V. Edelstein
Summary: This study is the first to investigate a large international collection of K. pneumoniae ST395 genomes, revealing the phylogenetics and detailed genomic characteristics of this emerging high-risk clonal lineage.
Review
Microbiology
Jie Zhu, Tao Wang, Liang Chen, Hong Du
Summary: The review summarizes the virulence factors associated with hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae to understand its molecular pathogenesis and provide new strategies for improving the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of infections caused by hvKP.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Neris Garcia-Gonzalez, Beatriz Beamud, Begona Fuster, Salvador Giner, Maria Victoria Dominguez, Antonia Sanchez, Jordi Sevilla, Teresa M. Coque, Concepcion Gimeno, Fernando Gonzalez-Candelas
Summary: At a time when antimicrobial resistance has become one of the biggest concerns worldwide, the emergence of novel alleles and extremely drug-resistant plasmids is a threat to public health worldwide, especially when they produce carbapenem resistance in one of the most problematic pathogens, such as Klebsiella pneumoniae. We used genomic epidemiology to describe the emergence of a novel NDM-23 allele and identify it in a MDR plasmid that has disseminated through a K. pneumoniae ST437 clone in several hospitals in Spain.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Xiaoyu Liu, Yarong Wu, Ying Zhu, Peiyao Jia, Xue Li, Xinmiao Jia, Wei Yu, Yujun Cui, Ruifu Yang, Wei Xia, Yingchun Xu, Qiwen Yang
Summary: This study retrospectively screened 14 colistin-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae strains, of which 6 were multidrug-resistant strains. The study revealed that the up-regulated expression of certain genes was associated with colistin resistance, and mgrB mutation was found to be the most common molecular mechanism of colistin resistance. In addition, the presence of hypervirulence genes and biofilm-producing genes was also identified. This suggests that colistin-resistant and hypervirulent multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae could pose a severe challenge to public health.
EMERGING MICROBES & INFECTIONS
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Jurgen Rodel, Yvonne Pfeifer, Martin A. Fischer, Birgit Edel, Sylvia Stoll, Wolfgang Pfister, Bettina Loeffler
Summary: In this study, a total of 87 K. pneumoniae isolates were analyzed using LAMP-based eazyplex® Superbug CRE and hvKp assays for the simultaneous identification of carbapenemases and virulence genes. Some isolates showed high virulence. The eazyplex® test showed quick and accurate results, making it a useful tool for the rapid identification of hypervirulent K. pneumoniae.
Article
Microbiology
Otavio Hallal Ferreira Raro, Patrice Nordmann, Manuel Dominguez Pino, Jacqueline Findlay, Laurent Poirel
Summary: There is an increasing occurrence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) and hypervirulent (hv) Klebsiella pneumoniae (MDR-hvKp) convergent clones. These strains can cause difficult-to-treat infections and have a higher mortality rate in healthy adults. This study in Switzerland identified a rate of 9.0% K. pneumoniae with a virulence genotype, producing carbapenemase and recovered from rectal swabs, urine, and blood. The presence of alarming MDR-hvKp and MDR nonhypervirulent K. pneumoniae (MDR-nhv-Kp) isolates highlights the need for surveillance networks to track and monitor their spread.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Si-Ho Kim, Cheon-Hoo Jeon, Hyoung-Tae Kim, Yu Mi Wi
Summary: This study investigated the clinical characteristics of patients with hypermucoviscous Klebsiella pneumoniae (hmvKp) bacteremia from non-hepatobiliary tract infection. The results showed that hmvKp was associated with less frequent drug resistance and metastatic-purulent presentation, but not with clinical outcomes.
Article
Immunology
Qingqing Du, Fen Pan, Chun Wang, Fangyuan Yu, Yingying Shi, Wenxin Liu, Zhi Li, Ping He, Dingding Han, Hong Zhang
Summary: By conducting clinical, molecular, and phenotypic surveillance of hvKp strains in a pediatric population, it was found that K1-ST23 and K2-ST25 are high-risk clones of hvKp, and the genetic convergence of virulence and carbapenem-resistance is increasing among children, indicating the need for control measures to prevent dissemination in clinical settings.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Matthijs S. Berends, Christian F. Luz, Alewijn Ott, Gunnar Andriesse, Karsten Becker, Corinna Glasner, Alex W. Friedrich
Summary: This retrospective study provides an in-depth data analysis of CoNS isolates found in human blood culture isolates in the Northern Netherlands between 2013 and 2019. The study identifies 27 different CoNS species and observes significant differences in occurrence and antibiotic resistance profiles. However, these differences are often neglected in national guidelines.
Letter
Medicine, General & Internal
Frieder Schaumburg, Bettina Loefler, Karsten Becker
DEUTSCHES ARZTEBLATT INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Elvira R. Shaidullina, Michael Schwabe, Thomas Rohde, Valeria V. Shapovalova, Marina S. Dyachkova, Alina D. Matsvay, Yuliya A. Savochkina, Andrey A. Shelenkov, Yulia V. Mikhaylova, Katharina Sydow, Francois Lebreton, Evgeny A. Idelevich, Stefan E. Heiden, Karsten Becker, Roman S. Kozlov, German A. Shipulin, Vasiliy G. Akimkin, Michael Lalk, Sebastian Guenther, Andreas E. Zautner, Juergen A. Bohnert, Ayslu M. Mardanova, Ruth Bouganim, Dror Marchaim, Katharina J. Hoff, Katharina Schaufler, Mikhail V. Edelstein
Summary: This study is the first to investigate a large international collection of K. pneumoniae ST395 genomes, revealing the phylogenetics and detailed genomic characteristics of this emerging high-risk clonal lineage.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Loris Busch, Anna Maria Hanuschik, Yuri Avlasevich, Katrin Darm, Elisa F. F. Hochheiser, Christian Kohler, Evgeny A. A. Idelevich, Karsten Becker, Peter Rotsch, Katharina Landfester, Maxim E. E. Darvin, Martina C. C. Meinke, Cornelia M. M. Keck, Axel Kramer, Paula Zwicker
Summary: Hair follicles are important drug delivery targets for skin antisepsis due to their high concentration of skin microbiome. Nanoparticles can penetrate deeply into hair follicles and can be triggered to release drugs through various mechanisms. The study introduces UV-responsive nanocapsules containing hydroxyethyl starch, which demonstrated efficient release of ethanol and a strong reduction in microbial load on porcine ear skin. The findings suggest the potential for advanced skin antisepsis using UVA-responsive nanocapsules.
Article
Microbiology
Sarah Schurig, Rea Kobialka, Andy Wende, Md Anik Ashfaq Khan, Phillip Luebcke, Elias Eger, Katharina Schaufler, Arwid Daugschies, Uwe Truyen, Ahmed Abd El Wahed
Summary: In this study, different nucleic acid extraction methods were tested and it was found that alkali, proteinase K, and magnetic beads were the most effective for extracting DNA from bacteria and protozoa. These methods showed high sensitivity and were able to detect small amounts of bacterial and protozoan samples in each reaction.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Jennifer K. Bender, Elsa Baufeld, Karsten Becker, Heike Claus, Anna Dudakova, Achim Doerre, Nikoletta Fila, Carola Fleige, Axel Hamprecht, Armin Hoffmann, Michael Hogardt, Achim J. Kaasch, Axel Kola, Nancy Kriebel, Franziska Layer-Nicolaou, Matthias Marschal, Ernst Molitor, Nico T. Mutters, Jan Liese, Claudia Nelkenbrecher, Bernd Neumann, Holger Rohde, Joerg Steinmann, Michael Soerensen, Philipp Thelen, Michael Weig, Andreas E. Zautner, Guido Werner
Summary: An increasing number of linezolid-resistant enterococci (LRE) has been recognized in Germany. However, there is a lack of reliable and rapid diagnostic methods for screening LRE in epidemiologically linked hospital settings. CHROMAgar™ LIN-R provides a simple and efficient screening tool for LRE in clinical settings. The prevalence of LRE among German hospital patients was estimated to be 1% based on the study results.
JOURNAL OF ANTIMICROBIAL CHEMOTHERAPY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Evgeny A. Idelevich, Betty Nedow, Marcus Vollmer, Karsten Becker
Summary: Over the past decade, MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry (MS) has become a standard method for identifying bacteria and yeasts. However, further optimization of the identification process is necessary to streamline workflows and save resources. This study evaluated the use of a multipurpose benchtop tool, MBT FAST Shuttle IVD, for accelerated drying of liquid assay components on a MALDI target. The results showed that using the MBT FAST Shuttle significantly reduced drying time and improved identification success.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
David Buchmann, Michael Schwabe, Romano Weiss, Andreas W. Kuss, Katharina Schaufler, Rabea Schlueter, Stefan Roediger, Sebastian Guenther, Nadin Schultze
Summary: This study demonstrates the inhibitory effect of phenolic natural compounds on curli and cellulose formation in Escherichia coli. By using a comparative RNA-sequencing approach, it is found that structurally different compounds mainly influence similar biological processes, including bacterial motility, chemotaxis, biofilm formation, as well as metabolic processes such as arginine biosynthesis and tricarboxylic acid cycle.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Letter
Immunology
Katharina Schaufler, Thaddaeus Echelmeyer, Michael Schwabe, Sebastian Guenther, Juergen A. Bohnert, Karsten Becker, Helmut Fickenscher, Aike Bueter, Gregor Maschkowitz, Andi Krumbholz, Dennis Nurjadi, Stefan E. Heiden, Elias Eger
EMERGING MICROBES & INFECTIONS
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Elisa Heuser, Karsten Becker, Evgeny A. Idelevich
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the reliability and time savings of automated colony counting. The results showed that fully automatic counting resulted in low accuracy, especially for plates with very high or very low colony numbers. Visual correction improved the concordance with manual counts, but there was no benefit in counting time.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Review
Infectious Diseases
Karsten Becker
Summary: While modern molecular methods have greatly improved microbiological diagnostics, the detection and identification of phenotypic variants still pose challenges. This is particularly true for the small-colony-variant (SCV) phenotype formed by staphylococci, which is difficult to detect and characterize due to its unstable nature. The physiological and metabolic changes in SCVs make traditional growth-based methods unreliable, requiring prolonged incubation times and confirmation by molecular methods. Standardized protocols for SCV diagnostics are currently lacking, but their detection has significant implications for treatment and should be reported and managed collaboratively with microbiological laboratories and clinicians.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Bernd Neumann, Claudia Stuerhof, Anca Rath, Baerbel Kieninger, Elias Eger, Justus U. Mueller, Alexander von Poblocki, Nadja Gerlitz, Paul Wollschlaeger, Wulf Schneider-Brachert, Katharina Schaufler, Kathleen Klaper, Joerg Steinmann
Summary: This study investigated the prevalence of hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae (hvKp) in a German tertiary center and characterized them using phenotypic and molecular assays. Among 1310 K. pneumoniae isolates screened, 7.6% were string test positive, and 9 of them were defined as putative hvKp. The most common lineage carrying hvKp-plasmid was ST23. The highest rate of string test positive isolates was observed on MacConkey agar.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Ornithology
Isabel Barwisch, Wolfgang Mewes, Angela Schmitz Ornes, Sebastian Guenther
Summary: Urbanization and industrialization have resulted in high levels of heavy metal pollution around the world, posing a threat to ecosystems. In this study, the concentrations of arsenic, cadmium, copper, and lead were analyzed in eggshells of Common Cranes nesting in north-eastern Germany. The results showed that only copper and lead were present in the eggshell samples, and their concentrations were not considered toxic to birds. The study also found a significant decrease in trace element concentrations over the study period. While the ban of leaded gasoline and restrictions on heavy metal-based biocontrol products have contributed to this decrease, increasing agricultural areas have led to a gradual increase in copper levels. Additionally, the study revealed that heavy metals do not accumulate in the circulatory systems of adult cranes over time. This study is the first to assess heavy metal contamination in Common Cranes and highlights the potential of crane's eggshells as a bioindicator for monitoring environmental pollution.
JOURNAL OF ORNITHOLOGY
(2023)
