Complete genome sequencing and comparative plasmid analysis of KPC-2-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from hospital sewage water in Japan

Objectives: The Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (bla(KPC)) gene is one of the most widespread carbapenemase genes in the world. However, there are few reports on KPC-producing bacteria in Japan. The aim of this study was therefore to investigate KPC-producing K. pneumoniae in Japan. Methods: A KPC-2-producingK. pneumoniae strain (KAM260) was isolated from hospital sewage water in Japan in 2018. The complete genome was determined by whole-genome sequencing. Subsequent comparative sequence analysis of the bla(KPC-2)-carrying plasmid was performed. Results: Klebsiella pneumoniae KAM260, belonging to sequence type 3026 (ST3026), harboured the bla(KPC-2) gene in 114.6-kbp plasmid pKAM260_2 with IncFIB(pQIL) and IncFII(K) replicons. pKAM260_2 was highly identical to pKpQIL-like plasmids, which carry bla(KPC) genes and have spread worldwide. pKAM260_2 had functional conjugation-associated genes and was transferable to Escherichia coli. Conclusion: pKAM260_2, the self-transmissible plasmid carrying thebla(KPC-2) gene, was detected from hospital sewage water in Japan and was characterised as a pKpQIL-like plasmid. This plasmid needs to be monitored in Japan in the future owing to its high diffusivity. (C) 2020 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of International Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy.