“Contribution of the Whole Genome Sequencing to surveillance programs of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) strains”

Abstract

We recently identified colonization and infection by KPCproducing Klebsiella pneumoniae strains in two patients from our Transplant Unit. Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) performed with Illumina MiSeq revealed that strains from each patient were the same and belonged to ST11. Our findings emphasize the value of supporting effective antibiotic stewardship programs based on surveillance cultures for detecting colonised patients. In addition, WGS helped to demonstrate the nosocomial plasticity of K. pneumoniae ST11, with observed loss and acquisition of antibiotic resistance genes during hospitalisation, contributing to the understanding of the dynamics of antimicrobial resistance strains within the hospital...