First evidence of KPC-producing ST258 Klebsiella pneumoniae in river water

This paper reports the first case of Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC)-2-producing K. pneumoniae in river water in Croatia. In total, four KPC-2-producing K. pneumoniae isolates were analysed. All isolates shared a similar genetic background, belonging to ST258. Isolates displayed uniform, multi-drug-resistant profiles susceptible to colistin. bla(SHV-1), aac(3')-II, aac(6')-Ib and aph(3')-Ia genes were detected in all isolates. In all isolates, the bla(KPC-2) gene was localized on a single non-conjugative IncFII plasmid that varied in size (similar to 140, similar to 230, similar to 225 and similar to 220 kb). K. pneumoniae was viable in river water for up to 50 days, confirming its ability to survive and disseminate in the environment. (C) 2019 The Healthcare Infection Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.