Genomic characterization of ST11-KL25 hypervirulent KPC-2-producing multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae from China

The global prevalence of ST11 hypervirulent carbapenem-resistant <i>Klebsiella pneumoniae</i> (hv-CRKP) isolates has been increasingly documented, yet genomic characterization of this clone remains insufficiently explored. Here, we report a clinical ST11-KL25 hv-CRKP strain (KP156) that exhibited resistance to multiple antibiotics and demonstrated hypervirulence in a mouse infection model. Whole-genome sequencing revealed that KP156 harbored one virulence plasmid (pKP156-Vir) and two resistance plasmids (pKP156-KPC and pKP156-tetA). The pKP156-Vir contains several virulence factors, including <i>rmpA2</i> and <i>iucABCD</i>, which are critical contributors to its hypervirulence. The <i>bla</i> _KPC-2 and <i>bla</i> _CTX-M-65 genes, located within the Tn<i>6296</i> transposon of pKP156-KPC, along with a multidrug-resistant (MDR) region containing multiple transposons and conjugative elements in pKP156-tetA, are associated with the transfer of resistance genes. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that KP156 shares high homology with other ST11 hv-CRKPs, suggesting potential transmission of this clone. Our study informs the development of genomic surveillance and control strategies for this strain.