Molecular analysis of clinical isolates of ceftazidime-avibactam-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae

Abstract

Different mutations including single amino-acid substitutions, insertions or deletions within the bla_KPC gene were found in 26/31 ceftazidime-avibactam-resistant KPC-producing K. pneumoniae strains belonging to high-risk clones circulating in Italy. Of note, in 14/31 cases the isolates displayed resistance to both ceftazidime-avibactam and carbapenems, raising concerns for the possible selection of a multidrug-resistant phenotype.