Evolution of hypervirulence in carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae in China: a multicentre, molecular epidemiological analysis

Abstract

CR-hvKP were more frequently detected than previously assumed, especially among KPC-2-producing ST11. Dissemination of hypervirulence could be extremely rapid due to limited fitness cost. Also, the evolution of resistance genes into hypervirulence plasmids was identified, presenting significant challenges for public health and infection control.