Genetic diversity of siderophores and hypermucoviscosity phenotype in Klebsiella pneumoniae

Siderophore is a group of low molecular weight compounds with high affinity for ferric iron, facilitating bacterial iron consumption, especially when competing with the host. Genetic diversity of the siderophore-encoding loci largely contributes to the intricacy of siderophore production and regulation in K. pneumoniae. We analyzed the genetic diversity of three acquired siderophores (salmochelin, yersiniabactin and aerobactin) in 272 K. pneumoniae strains from China, and revealed that hypervirulent and multidrug-resistant lineages had distinguished predominant siderophore loci. Strains producing more types of siderophores tend to present higher mucoviscosity levels, suggesting that siderophore production might synergistically interact with hypermucoviscosity phenotype.

Automated summary

Siderophores are low molecular weight compounds that facilitate bacterial iron consumption, with genetic diversity of siderophore-encoding loci contributing to production and regulation complexity in K. pneumoniae. Analysis of three acquired siderophores in 272 K. pneumoniae strains revealed distinct predominant siderophore loci in hypervirulent and multidrug-resistant lineages. Strains producing multiple siderophore types tend to have higher mucoviscosity levels, indicating a possible synergistic interaction between siderophore production and hypermucoviscosity phenotype.