Drug resistance and molecular typing of Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from giant panda

Abstract:

[Objective] This study aims to analyze the drug resistance and molecular types of Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca), which is expected to clarify the drug resistance and prevalence of K. pneumoniae in the captive population of giant panda and to guide clinical drug use.[Methods] For the 178 K. pneumoniae strains of giant panda collected from 2018 to 2019, the drug resistance phenotypes were analyzed with the Kirby-Bauer (K-B) disk diffusion method, drug resistance genes and mobile genetic elements by Wafergen Smartchip high-throughput fluorescent quantitative PCR, and sequence types (STs) by multi-locus sequence typing (MLST).[Results] The 178 strains had the highest resistance rate to doxycycline (15.2%) and the resistance to cefotaxime, imipenem, and azithromycin was significantly higher in strains isolated in 2019 than in 2018 (P<0.05). A total of 106 drug resistance genes (106/227) and 11 mobile genetic elements (11/19) were detected. The resistance mechanisms were mainly efflux pumps (42.0%), antibiotic inactivation (41.8%), and altered target sites of action (16.2%). MLST classified the strains into 42 STs, and ST was correlated with drug resistance.[Conclusion] The resistance rate of K. pneumoniae strains from giant panda to β-lactam and macrolide antibiotics increased from 2018 to 2019. The drug resistance mechanisms of the strains were mainly efflux pumps and antibiotic inactivation. ST17, ST23 and ST4007 may be the dominant types. In the clinical treatment of giant pandas, antibiotics should be rationally used to prevent further enhancement of drug resistance.