pKpQIL-like plasmid contributes to the dissemination of bla NDM-1 and plasmid mediated quinolone resistance determinants among multi drug resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae in Assiut university hospital, Egypt

• Published in: Iranian journal of microbiology 2023-04, Vol.15 (2), p.208
• Main Authors: Hammad, Heba Ali, Mohamed, Ismail Seddik, El-Badawy, Omnia, Zakaria, Amira M, Shabaan, Lamia, Aly, Sherine Ahmed
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 2008-3289; 2008-4447
• DOI: 10.18502/ijm.v15i2.12471

Concomitant carriage of and plasmid mediated quinolone resistance determinants (PMQRs) by multi drug resistant (MDR) has increased globally, often related to their presence on transmissible plasmids. In this study, we hypothesized the presence of and PMQRs on a single conjugative plasmid that circulates among strains isolated from Assiut University Hospital. Twenty-two clinical MDR strains harboring both and PMQRs were genotyped using pulsed field gel electrophoresis. Horizontal transfer of and PMQRs was evaluated by conjugation and trans-conjugants were screened for the presence of both genes and integron by PCR. Trans-conjugant's plasmid DNA bands were purified using agarose gel electrophoresis and different DNA bands were screened for and PMQRs. Plasmids carrying and PMQRs were typed by PCR based replicon typing. All MDR contained class 1 integron and belonged to 15 pulsotypes. and PMQRs were co-transferred in each conjugation process. Multiple replicons (5-9 types) were detected in each trans-conjugant; with IncFIIK and IncFIB-KQ replicons being common among all trans-conjugants. Both and PMQRs were detected on a pKpQIL-like multi-replicon plasmid that was present in all strains. In view of these results, the presence of and PMQRs on pKpQIL-like plasmid that existed in multiple unrelated isolates is highly suggestive of the circulation of pKpQIL-like MDR plasmids in our hospitals. Moreover, carriage of integrons by the-circulating MDR plasmids increases the risk of dissemination of antimicrobial resistance among pathogens.