Intricate interplay of CRISPR-Cas systems, anti-CRISPR proteins, and antimicrobial resistance genes in a globally successful multi-drug resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae clone

Abstract Background Klebsiella pneumoniae is one of the most prevalent pathogens responsible for multiple infections in healthcare settings and the community. K. pneumoniae CG147, primarily including ST147 (the founder ST), ST273, and ST392, is one of the most globally successful MDR clone linked to...

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Main Authors: Jianping Jiang, Astrid V. Cienfuegos-Galletd, Tengfei Long, Gisele Peirano, Tingyu Chu, Johann D. D. Pitout, Barry N. Kreiswirth, Liang Chen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-01-01
Series:Genome Medicine
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13073-025-01428-6
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author Jianping Jiang
Astrid V. Cienfuegos-Galletd
Tengfei Long
Gisele Peirano
Tingyu Chu
Johann D. D. Pitout
Barry N. Kreiswirth
Liang Chen
author_facet Jianping Jiang
Astrid V. Cienfuegos-Galletd
Tengfei Long
Gisele Peirano
Tingyu Chu
Johann D. D. Pitout
Barry N. Kreiswirth
Liang Chen
author_sort Jianping Jiang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Klebsiella pneumoniae is one of the most prevalent pathogens responsible for multiple infections in healthcare settings and the community. K. pneumoniae CG147, primarily including ST147 (the founder ST), ST273, and ST392, is one of the most globally successful MDR clone linked to various carbapenemases. Methods One hundred and one CG147 strains were sequenced and additional 911 publicly available CG147 genome sequences were included for analysis. The molecular epidemiology, population structure, and time phylogeny were investigated. The virulome, resistome, and mobilome were analyzed, and the recombination in the capsular region was studied. The CRISPR-Cas and anti-CRISPR were identified. The interplay between CRISPR-Cas, anti-CRISPR, and carbapenemase-encoding plasmids was analyzed and experimentally validated. Results We analyzed 1012 global CG147 genomes, with 80.4% encoding at least one carbapenemase (NDM [529/1012, 52.3%], OXA-48-like [182/1012, 17.7%], and KPC [105/1012, 10.4%]). Surprisingly, almost all CG147 strains (99.7%, 1009/1,012) harbor a chromosomal type I-E CRISPR-Cas system, with 41.8% (423/1012) containing an additional plasmid-borne type IV-A3 CRISPR-Cas system, and both target IncF plasmids, e.g., the most prevalent KPC-encoding pKpQIL-like plasmids. We found the presence of IV-A3 CRISPR-Cas system showed a negative correlation with the presence of KPC. Interestingly, a prophage-encoding anti-CRISPR AcrIE8.1 and a plasmid-borne anti-CRISPR AcrIE9.2 were detected in 40.1% (406/1012) and 54.2% (548/1012) of strains, respectively, which displayed positive correlations with the presence of a carbapenemase. Plasmid transfer experiments confirmed that the I-E and IV-A3 CRISPR-Cas systems significantly decreased (p < 0.001) KPC-encoding pKpQIL plasmid conjugation frequencies, while the AcrIE8.1 and AcrIE9.2 significantly increased (p < 0.001) pKpQIL conjugation frequencies and protected plasmids from elimination by CRISPR-Cas I-E system. Conclusions Our results indicated a complex interplay between CRISPR-Cas, anti-CRISPR, and mobile genetic elements that shape the evolution of CG147. Our findings advance the understanding of multi-drug resistance mechanisms and will aid in preventing the emergence of future MDR clones.
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spelling doaj-art-c23296d21a2547699ac696de8be40bbe2025-02-02T12:35:37ZengBMCGenome Medicine1756-994X2025-01-0117112110.1186/s13073-025-01428-6Intricate interplay of CRISPR-Cas systems, anti-CRISPR proteins, and antimicrobial resistance genes in a globally successful multi-drug resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae cloneJianping Jiang0Astrid V. Cienfuegos-Galletd1Tengfei Long2Gisele Peirano3Tingyu Chu4Johann D. D. Pitout5Barry N. Kreiswirth6Liang Chen7Center for Discovery and Innovation, Hackensack Meridian HealthCenter for Discovery and Innovation, Hackensack Meridian HealthCenter for Discovery and Innovation, Hackensack Meridian HealthCummings School of Medicine, University of CalgaryCenter for Discovery and Innovation, Hackensack Meridian HealthCummings School of Medicine, University of CalgaryCenter for Discovery and Innovation, Hackensack Meridian HealthCenter for Discovery and Innovation, Hackensack Meridian HealthAbstract Background Klebsiella pneumoniae is one of the most prevalent pathogens responsible for multiple infections in healthcare settings and the community. K. pneumoniae CG147, primarily including ST147 (the founder ST), ST273, and ST392, is one of the most globally successful MDR clone linked to various carbapenemases. Methods One hundred and one CG147 strains were sequenced and additional 911 publicly available CG147 genome sequences were included for analysis. The molecular epidemiology, population structure, and time phylogeny were investigated. The virulome, resistome, and mobilome were analyzed, and the recombination in the capsular region was studied. The CRISPR-Cas and anti-CRISPR were identified. The interplay between CRISPR-Cas, anti-CRISPR, and carbapenemase-encoding plasmids was analyzed and experimentally validated. Results We analyzed 1012 global CG147 genomes, with 80.4% encoding at least one carbapenemase (NDM [529/1012, 52.3%], OXA-48-like [182/1012, 17.7%], and KPC [105/1012, 10.4%]). Surprisingly, almost all CG147 strains (99.7%, 1009/1,012) harbor a chromosomal type I-E CRISPR-Cas system, with 41.8% (423/1012) containing an additional plasmid-borne type IV-A3 CRISPR-Cas system, and both target IncF plasmids, e.g., the most prevalent KPC-encoding pKpQIL-like plasmids. We found the presence of IV-A3 CRISPR-Cas system showed a negative correlation with the presence of KPC. Interestingly, a prophage-encoding anti-CRISPR AcrIE8.1 and a plasmid-borne anti-CRISPR AcrIE9.2 were detected in 40.1% (406/1012) and 54.2% (548/1012) of strains, respectively, which displayed positive correlations with the presence of a carbapenemase. Plasmid transfer experiments confirmed that the I-E and IV-A3 CRISPR-Cas systems significantly decreased (p < 0.001) KPC-encoding pKpQIL plasmid conjugation frequencies, while the AcrIE8.1 and AcrIE9.2 significantly increased (p < 0.001) pKpQIL conjugation frequencies and protected plasmids from elimination by CRISPR-Cas I-E system. Conclusions Our results indicated a complex interplay between CRISPR-Cas, anti-CRISPR, and mobile genetic elements that shape the evolution of CG147. Our findings advance the understanding of multi-drug resistance mechanisms and will aid in preventing the emergence of future MDR clones.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13073-025-01428-6Klebsiella pneumoniaeCG147CRISPR-CasAnti-CRISPRGenomic epidemiology
spellingShingle Jianping Jiang
Astrid V. Cienfuegos-Galletd
Tengfei Long
Gisele Peirano
Tingyu Chu
Johann D. D. Pitout
Barry N. Kreiswirth
Liang Chen
Intricate interplay of CRISPR-Cas systems, anti-CRISPR proteins, and antimicrobial resistance genes in a globally successful multi-drug resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae clone
Genome Medicine
Klebsiella pneumoniae
CG147
CRISPR-Cas
Anti-CRISPR
Genomic epidemiology
title Intricate interplay of CRISPR-Cas systems, anti-CRISPR proteins, and antimicrobial resistance genes in a globally successful multi-drug resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae clone
title_full Intricate interplay of CRISPR-Cas systems, anti-CRISPR proteins, and antimicrobial resistance genes in a globally successful multi-drug resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae clone
title_fullStr Intricate interplay of CRISPR-Cas systems, anti-CRISPR proteins, and antimicrobial resistance genes in a globally successful multi-drug resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae clone
title_full_unstemmed Intricate interplay of CRISPR-Cas systems, anti-CRISPR proteins, and antimicrobial resistance genes in a globally successful multi-drug resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae clone
title_short Intricate interplay of CRISPR-Cas systems, anti-CRISPR proteins, and antimicrobial resistance genes in a globally successful multi-drug resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae clone
title_sort intricate interplay of crispr cas systems anti crispr proteins and antimicrobial resistance genes in a globally successful multi drug resistant klebsiella pneumoniae clone
topic Klebsiella pneumoniae
CG147
CRISPR-Cas
Anti-CRISPR
Genomic epidemiology
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s13073-025-01428-6
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