Skip to content
DraconiticResearch
Search Sources API
203,234 studies31 sourcesUpdated 35 min ago
Peer-reviewedCC BY 4.0Journal of Medical Microbiology

Molecular and metabolic features of colistin-resistant ST11 carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae

  • Ling Hao1,2
  • Xiao Yang3
  • Nadeem Ullah4
4 affiliations
  1. 1Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Guangzhou First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, PR China
  2. 2Institute of Clinical Medicine, Guangzhou First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, PR China
  3. 3Department of Laboratory Medicine, Guangzhou First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, PR China
  4. 4Department of Clinical Microbiology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
Read full textDOICite

Abstract

Introduction. The emergence of colistin-resistant carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) poses a critical threat to public health, a challenge that was exacerbated by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Gap statement. The specific metabolic adaptations that underlie colistin resistance in high-risk sequence type 11 (ST11) CRKP clinical strains, particularly in direct comparison with their susceptible counterparts, remain poorly characterized.

Aim. To explore metabolic features associated with colistin resistance in clinical CRKP isolates.

Methodology. Twelve CRKP strains, encompassing both colistin-resistant and colistin-susceptible isolates, were analysed for antimicrobial resistance profiles, virulence-associated genes, sequence types and biofilm formation capacity. Comparative untargeted metabolomics was performed to map metabolic shifts between the resistant and susceptible groups.

Results. All isolates belonged to the high-risk clone ST11, harboured the KPC-2 carbapenemase and carried multiple virulence genes, with K2 being the dominant serotype. All isolates formed biofilms, with resistant isolates showing enhanced capacity. Colistin resistance was chromosomally mediated by pmrB and mgrB mutations, with no plasmid-encoded mcr genes detected. Untargeted metabolomics identified 126 significantly differentially expressed metabolites (DEMs) between resistant and susceptible isolates. These DEMs were significantly enriched in lipids and lipid-like molecules. Colistin-resistant strains exhibited increased glycerophospholipids, sphingolipids and fatty acids, coupled with decreased metabolites from central carbon and amino acid pathways.

Conclusion. In this exploratory study, colistin resistance in these ST11 CRKP strains was associated with chromosomal alterations in pmrB and mgrB and with marked shifts in membrane-associated lipid metabolites. While these metabolic changes suggested membrane remodelling, they remain associative and require functional validation. Beyond resistance, the co-carriage of these traits with robust virulence gene expression highlights a critical clinical challenge, supporting the need for further research into combination therapies targeting these adaptive lipid pathways.

Related

  1. L-histidine metabolic reprogramming is associated with imipenem-relebactam resistance in carbapenem-resistant hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae
    Jun Li, Haolan Wang, Yuyao Wang +6
    Scientific ReportsPeer-reviewedCC BY-NC-ND 4.0General medicineCrossref
  2. Co-Circulation of ST11-KL30 and ST11-KL64 Carbapenem-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae in Urumqi, Xinjiang, China: Molecular Epidemiology, Antimicrobial Resistance, and Virulence
    Hefei Zha, Qian Shi, Yongxin Li +2
    Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)Peer-reviewedCC BYFull textGeneral medicineEurope PMCDOAJ
  3. Phytochemical screening as an inhibitor of β-lactamases to overcome the carbapenem-resistant of Klebsiella pneumoniae
    Mahir Azmal, Jibon Kumar Paul, Md. Naimul Haque Shohan +6
    Scientific ReportsPeer-reviewedCC BY-NC-ND 4.0Full textGeneral medicineCrossref
  4. Association of Carbapenemase Gene Profiles with Ceftazidime–avibactam Resistance in Carbapenem-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae
    Elif Tuğçe Güner, Ayfer Bakır, Cemal Çiçek +1
    International Journal of Molecular SciencesPeer-reviewedCC BY 4.0General medicineCrossref
  5. Beyond Resistance: Carbapenemase Gene Profiles and Mortality in ICU Patients with Carbapenem-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae Infections
    Esra Kaya, Elif Okumuş, Elif Gülsüm Torun
    International Journal of Molecular SciencesPeer-reviewedCC BY 4.0Full textGeneral medicineCrossrefEurope PMC

Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{hao2026molecular,
  title = {{Molecular and metabolic features of colistin-resistant ST11 carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae}},
  author = {Ling Hao and Xiao Yang and Nadeem Ullah},
  journal = {Journal of Medical Microbiology},
  year = {2026},
  month = nov,
  doi = {10.1099/jmm.0.002217},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1099/jmm.0.002217},
  note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Molecular and metabolic features of colistin-resistant ST11 carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae
AU  - Ling Hao
AU  - Xiao Yang
AU  - Nadeem Ullah
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/11/03
JO  - Journal of Medical Microbiology
DO  - 10.1099/jmm.0.002217
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1099/jmm.0.002217
AB  - Introduction. The emergence of colistin-resistant carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) poses a critical threat to public health, a challenge that was exacerbated by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.  Gap statement. The specific metabolic adaptations that underlie colistin resistance in high-risk sequence type 11 (ST11) CRKP clinical strains, particularly in direct comparison with their susceptible counterparts, remain poorly characterized.  Aim. To explore metabolic features associated with colistin resistance in clinical CRKP isolates.  Methodology. Twelve CRKP strains, encompassing both colistin-resistant and colistin-susceptible isolates, were analysed for antimicrobial resistance profiles, virulence-associated genes, sequence types and biofilm formation capacity. Comparative untargeted metabolomics was performed to map metabolic shifts between the resistant and susceptible groups.  Results. All isolates belonged to the high-risk clone ST11, harboured the KPC-2 carbapenemase and carried multiple virulence genes, with K2 being the dominant serotype. All isolates formed biofilms, with resistant isolates showing enhanced capacity. Colistin resistance was chromosomally mediated by pmrB and mgrB mutations, with no plasmid-encoded mcr genes detected. Untargeted metabolomics identified 126 significantly differentially expressed metabolites (DEMs) between resistant and susceptible isolates. These DEMs were significantly enriched in lipids and lipid-like molecules. Colistin-resistant strains exhibited increased glycerophospholipids, sphingolipids and fatty acids, coupled with decreased metabolites from central carbon and amino acid pathways.  Conclusion. In this exploratory study, colistin resistance in these ST11 CRKP strains was associated with chromosomal alterations in pmrB and mgrB and with marked shifts in membrane-associated lipid metabolites. While these metabolic changes suggested membrane remodelling, they remain associative and require functional validation. Beyond resistance, the co-carriage of these traits with robust virulence gene expression highlights a critical clinical challenge, supporting the need for further research into combination therapies targeting these adaptive lipid pathways.
SN  - 0022-2615
SN  - 1473-5644
ER  -