Emergence of New Delhi Metallo-β-Lactamase (NDM-5) in Klebsiella quasipneumoniae from Neonates in a Nigerian Hospital

Abstract

Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae is of global health importance, yet there is a paucity of genome-based studies in Africa. Here we report fatal blood-borne NDM-5-producing K. quasipneumoniae subsp. similipneumoniae infections from Nigeria, Africa. New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase (NDM)-producing Klebsiella spp. are responsible for high mortality and morbidity, with the NDM-5 variant showing elevated carbapenem resistance. The prevalence of NDM-5 in Klebsiella has been limited primarily to K. pneumoniae , with only one isolate being collected from Africa. During an outbreak of sepsis in a teaching hospital in Nigeria, five NDM-5-producing K. quasipneumoniae subsp. similipneumoniae sequence type 476 isolates were identified. Given the increased resistance profile of these strains, this study highlights the emerging threat of bla NDM-5 dissemination in hospital environments. The observation of these NDM-5-producing isolates in Africa stresses the urgency to improve monitoring and clinical practices to reduce or prevent the further spread of resistance.