Genomic and Molecular Characterization of Multidrug Resistant Klebsiella oxytoca Strains Isolated from a Patient in the Intensive Care Unit

• Grant number: 22/12429-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: December 01, 2022
• End date: November 30, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Genetics - Molecular Genetics and Genetics of Microorganisms
• Principal Investigator: Maria Cristina da Silva Pranchevicius
• Grantee: Saulo Henrique Rodrigues
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde (CCBS). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

In recent years, the increase in morbidity and mortality due to infections caused by resistant bacteria has become, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), is one of the most serious global public health threats. K. oxytoca is a Gram-negative facultative anaerobic bacterium belonging to the Enterobacteriaceae family, that is closely related to K. pneumoniae. K. oxytoca is considered an opportunistic pathogen and is now recognized as a clinically significant pathogen associated with nosocomial. Recently, we evaluate the antibiotic resistance of six Klebsiella oxytoca strains, isolated from Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients, and all strain showed a multidrug resistant profile. Studies on K. oxytoca strains are practically scarce in the world and, especially, in Brazil. The purpose of this study is investigating the antibiotic resistance profile, pathogenic potential and the clonal relationships between K. oxytoca strains. In addition, K. oxytoca strain(s) will whole-genome-sequenced, in order to understand the genomic diversity and genes responsible for antibiotic resistance and virulence.