Simultaneous gut colonization by Klebsiella grimontii and Escherichia coli co-possessing the blaKPC-3-carrying pQil plasmid

Abstract

Only two plasmid-mediated carbapenemases (KPC-2 and VIM-1) are reported in Klebsiella grimontii . Here, we report two bla KPC-3 -positive isolates that were identified as K. oxytoca and E. coli by MALDI-TOF MS in the same rectal swab. Whole-genome sequencing indicated that K. oxytoca was actually K. grimontii of ST391, whereas E. coli was of ST10. In both, bla KPC-3 was carried by a pQil conjugative plasmid. The core-genome analysis identified additional bla KPC -positive K. grimontii strains from public databases, most of which were misidentified as K. oxytoca . Since K. grimontii represents an emerging reservoir of resistance traits, routine tools should improve their ability to detect this species.

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