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

Abstract

Only two plasmid-mediated carbapenemases (KPC-2 and VIM-1) are reported in Klebsiella grimontii. Here, we report two blaKPC-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, blaKPC-3 was carried by a pQil conjugative plasmid. The core-genome analysis identified additional blaKPC-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.