Assessing of antibiotic resistance in the phage-plasmids of Klebsiella pneumoniae and its inhibitory compound

Abstract

Background: Antibiotic resistance in Klebsiella pneumoniae poses an increasing risk to human health worldwide. Objectives: Whole-genome sequence data were used to characterize K. pneumoniae phage-plasmids isolated in different countries. Methods: Sequences of 15 genetically similar phage-plasmids were selected based on BlastN analysis. Antibiotic resistance genes were screened using ResFinder, PhageAI, PlasmidFinder, PHASTEST, and PhageGE tools. Phage-plasmid sequences were then analyzed for a stable region in the genome using MAUVE analysis, and the protein of this stable region and its candidate inhibitor molecule were analyzed through molecular docking studies. Results: Several resistance genes were detected in 7 of the 15 phage-plasmids screened. All plasmids had the Salmonella SSU5 prophage. MAUVE analysis indicated a common stable region encoding replication protein A. Molecular docking studies demonstrated that an interaction occurs between replication protein A and a fabimycin derivative. Conclusion: Fabimycin could be used to control both phage plasmids and their host, which could affect the severity and incidence of K. pneumoniae infections.