Whole-Genome Sequencing of Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase-Producing Klebsiella pneumoniae Isolated from Human Bloodstream Infections

<i>Klebsiella pneumoniae</i> is a Gram-negative bacterium commonly associated with bloodstream infections (BSIs), which can lead to severe clinical outcomes, especially in immunocompromised individuals or patients with underlying health conditions. The increasing prevalence of <i>K. pneumoniae</i> that produces extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBL) poses a significant challenge for treatment and infection control, necessitating a swift diagnostic approach and tailored antimicrobial therapy to improve patient outcomes. A total of 32 <i>K. pneumoniae</i> isolates were recovered from BSIs from December 2021 to August 2022. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) was performed on the 14 ESBL-producing isolates. All ESBL isolates carried the <i>bla</i>_CTX-M-15 gene, together with other β-lactamase-encoding genes (<i>bla</i>_TEM-1, <i>bla</i>_SHV-28, <i>bla</i>_SHV-26, or <i>bla</i>_OXA-1). Three of the isolates also carried the <i>bla</i>_KPC-3 gene. Resistance genes to quinolones, sulfonamides, tetracycline, aminoglycosides, and chloramphenicol were also detected. We can conclude that the presence of ESBL-producing isolates among <i>K. pneumoniae</i> of BSIs raises concerns, since these enzymes limit the available treatment options, and future research must include studies on alternative therapies for dealing with resistant bacterial infections and developing new approaches to disease treatment.