Molecular Epidemiology of KPC-Producing Escherichia coli: Occurrence of ST131-fimH30Subclone Harboring pKpQIL-Like IncFIIk Plasmid

Abstract

ABSTRACTOf 20Klebsiella pneumoniaecarbapenemase (KPC)-producingEscherichia coliisolates identified at hospitals in western Pennsylvania, 60% belonged to the epidemic ST131-fimH30subclone. IncFIIk was the most common replicon type for theblaKPC-carrying plasmids (n= 8). All IncFIIk plasmids possessed a scaffold similar to that of pKpQIL, and seven of them were borne by ST131-fimH30isolates. IncN plasmids conferred resistance to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and IncA/C plasmids conferred resistance to gentamicin. ThreeblaKPC-carrying plasmids (IncA/C and IncN) possessedblaSHV-7/12andqnrA1orqnrS1.