Emergence and genomic characterization of hypervirulent ST23/K1 Klebsiella pneumoniae: local epidemiology and global context

Result code in IS VaVaI

<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F00216305%3A26220%2F26%3A0200826" target="_blank" >RIV/00216305:26220/26:0200826 - isvavai.cz</a>

Result on the web

<a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiology/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2026.1758288/full" target="_blank" >https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiology/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2026.1758288/full</a>

DOI - Digital Object Identifier

<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2026.1758288" target="_blank" >10.3389/fmicb.2026.1758288</a>

Result language

angličtina

Original language name

Emergence and genomic characterization of hypervirulent ST23/K1 Klebsiella pneumoniae: local epidemiology and global context

Original language description

Introduction: Hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae (hvKp) of the K1/ST23 lineage is an emerging global threat associated with invasive community-acquired infections. Increasing reports of virulence–resistance convergence highlight the need for genomic surveillance, particularly within Europe where data remain limited. This study characterizes clinical K1/ST23 KP isolates circulating in the Czech Republic and compares them to a global genomic background to evaluate virulence architecture, resistance acquisition and plasmid evolution. Methods: From 2017 to 2025, 570 K. pneumoniae isolates from a tertiary-care hospital were screened for hvKp markers. Ninety-six K1/ST23 isolates were subjected to long-read whole-genome sequencing and plasmid reconstruction. Genomes were analyzed alongside 2,463 international ST23 datasets using core-SNV phylogenomics, virulence/resistance profiling, and structural plasmid mapping. Chromosomal integrations were examined through analysis of flanking insertion-sequence contexts. Results: The Czech K1/ST23 KP population exhibited high virulence uniformity (95/96 isolates scoring 9/9) without evidence of a single-clone outbreak, instead forming multiple phylogenetic lineages consistent with recurrent introductions. Eighty-three isolates carried pLVPK-like virulence plasmids; however, structural plasticity was prominent. The iro cluster was relocated to conjugative IncFII/rep_cluster_1418 plasmids in two isolates—one carrying additional AMR genes—and was chromosomally integrated via IS1-mediated recombination in three others. Iut was chromosomally integrated via IS903 (IS5 family) with either classical target-site duplication or recombination-associated insertion. Nine virulence–resistance fusion plasmids (IncFIB–IncFII–IncHI1B or IncC-based) were identified, representing early convergence toward MDR-hvKp. Conclusion: K1/ST23 KP circulating in the Czech Republic is highly virulent yet genomically diverse, driven by active plasmid exchange, insertion-sequence–mediated chromosomal integration, and emerging virulence–resistance fusion plasmids. Although carbapenemase genes were absent, ESBL determinants and transmissible virulence loci indicate strong evolutionary potential toward MDR-hvKp. Continuous genomic surveillance and early intervention strategies are essential to mitigate future clinical impact.

Czech name

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Czech description

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Type

J_imp - Article in a specialist periodical, which is included in the Web of Science database

CEP classification

—

OECD FORD branch

10606 - Microbiology

Project

Result was created during the realization of more than one project. More information in the Projects tab.

Continuities

P - Projekt vyzkumu a vyvoje financovany z verejnych zdroju (s odkazem do CEP)

Publication year

2026

Confidentiality

S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů

Name of the periodical

Frontiers in Microbiology

ISSN

1664-302X

e-ISSN

—

Volume of the periodical

17

Issue of the periodical within the volume

1758288

Country of publishing house

CH - SWITZERLAND

Number of pages

12

Pages from-to

1-12

UT code for WoS article

001690668500001

EID of the result in the Scopus database

2-s2.0-10503013627