Prevalence of antimicrobial resistance and virulence genes in Klebsiella pneumoniae and Congenetic Raoultella Isolates from captive giant pandas

To study antimicrobial resistance and virulence genes of Klebsiella pneumoniae and Raoultella strains isolated from captive giant pandas. Non-duplicate fecal samples were collected from 128 giant pandas during 2017-2019. All isolated microbial strains were tested for antimicrobial drug susceptibility using BD verification panels. Four extended-spectrum beta-lactamase resistance genes, nine virulence genes and six capsular serotype genes were detected using PCR. 42 K. pneumoniae and nine Raoultella strains were isolated from different giant pandas. Antibiotic resistance rates were 1.9%-23.5%, except for ampicillin, and 7.8% of the isolates were multidrug-resistant to 7-10 antibiotic classes. This is the first time that a multidrug-resistant R. ornithinolytica strain has been isolated from captive giant pandas. The bla(TEM), bla(CTX-M), bla(SHV) and bla(DHA) genes were detected in four MDR ESBL- K. pneumoniae strains. The rmpA, iutA, ybtS, iroN and iroB genes were positively detected in 11.7% of the isolates. Capsular serotype (K2, K5, K54 and K57) genes were all detected in four K. pneumoniae strains, and one was identified as hypervirulent. This study showed that MDR ESBL- K. pneumoniae, hypervirulent K. pneumoniae, MDR R. ornithinolytica and the colistin-resistant strain may pose risks to captive giant pandas and their keepers, and that the diversity of antibiotic resistance and virulence genes in Klebsiella and Raoultella should be monitored regularly.

Automated summary

This study aimed to investigate the antimicrobial resistance and virulence genes of Klebsiella pneumoniae and Raoultella strains isolated from captive giant pandas. Fecal samples were collected from 128 giant pandas and microbial strains were tested for drug susceptibility and gene detection. The results showed high antibiotic resistance rates and multidrug-resistant strains, including the first reported multidrug-resistant R. ornithinolytica strain in captive giant pandas. Various resistance and virulence genes were detected, indicating potential risks to the pandas and the keepers. Regular monitoring of antibiotic resistance and virulence genes in Klebsiella and Raoultella is recommended for panda conservation.