Characterization of blaNDM-5-harbouring Klebsiella pneumoniae sequence type 11 international high-risk clones isolated from clinical samples in Yangon General Hospital, a tertiary- care hospital in Myanmar

Fifteen Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates harbouring blaNDM genes were identified from blood and sputum specimens of patients at a tertiary-care facility (Yangon General Hospital, Yangon, Myanmar) in 2018. Two of the isolates belonged to sequence type (ST) 11, an international high-risk clone. Whole-genome sequencing and phylogenetic analyses revealed that these two isolates were clustered together with other ST11 isolates originating from other countries. The isolates harboured the bla(NDM-5) gene on an IncFII- type plasmid that is prevalent among carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae in Yangon but has rarely been found in other ST11 isolates. Our data suggests the regional presence of the ST11 international high -risk clone and its acquisition of an endemic bla(NDM-5)-carrying plasmid.