Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae: the role of plasmids in emergence, dissemination, and evolution of a major clinical challenge
Klebsiella pneumoniae is considered as an important nosocomial pathogen contributing to healthcare-associated infections and some community acquired infections. In addition, K. pneumoniae tends to acquire resistance to several classes of antibiotics including carbapenems by the transfer of different genes encoding β-lactamases (carbapenemases) capable of breaking them down. This process is promoted by various carbapenemase-encoding plasmids that participate in the spread of resistance.
This review provides an overview on the role of the plasmids in the development and dissemination of carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae (CR-Kp) and the co-evolution of resistance and virulence in this pathogen.
Suggested by our guest Dr. Alberto Antonelli for you.