Design: Researchers report that they have identified a new genetic regulatory system found in Klebsijsonnia Pneumonia (KP), striking bacteria which can cause respiratory and blood infections, among other syndromes. This groundbreaking study reveals the concerning global spread of antimicrobial resistance and provides a roadmap to help curb the spread of AMR.
The Rise of Superbugs
Antibiotics have been a life-saving tool for years now, however, the misuse of these miracle drugs seems to be leading us towards another problem in itself i.e. antibiotic resistance where bacteria are resistant to being killed by antibiotics making worse kind of ‘superbugs’. Resistance is inevitable, and the nature of these ancient creatures has equipped them with mechanisms to bypass even our most potent medications, moving the treatments that once saved lives into obsolescence.
One of these superbugs has been a significant concern for healthcare providers and is Klebsiella pneumoniae, the third most common cause of blood infections in the world. It is able to cause serious pneumonia, bloodstream infections and urinary tract infections that can lead to organ failure and death if not recognized and treated appropriately.
Deciphering DNA Codes
Now, in a new study published in the journal Nature Communications, scientists at the University at Albany have discovered a novel genetic mechanism by which Klebsiella pneumoniae becomes resistant to multiple antibiotics.
Over a five-year period, the team studied the genetic sequences of 136 K. pneumoniae isolates from patients with bloodstream infections at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. Dr. Cheryl Andam, an associate professor in the Department of Biological Sciences and RNA Institute, led the research effort. The researchers discovered an incredible amount of genetic diversity in the sample population, revealing 94 unique genetic sequences.
Importantly, K. pneumoniae spreads its resistance using plasmids, which are mobile genetic elements capable of carrying multiple resistance genes that can be transferred to other bacteria. This enables a strong selection where the bacteria grow very rapidly and are thus able to quickly adapt, establishing a population that withstands exposure to nearly all antibiotics.
Conclusion
The identification of this new genetic phenomenon that allows the spread of drug resistance in Klebsiella pneumoniae is an important finding in the larger battle against antibiotic-resistant infections. Now that scientists know how important a role plasmids play in spreading resistance genes, they can also create ways to disrupt the process and slow or halt the rise of deadly superbugs. Ongoing surveillance, and additional genomics studies remain critical in responding to this global health threat.
