Genomic features of a polymyxin-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae ST491 isolate co-harbouring bla and qnrE1 genes from a hospitalised cat in São Paulo, Brazil.

Objectives: Klebsiella pneumoniae has emerged as one of the major pathogens of humans and companion animals. Moreover, polymyxin resistance in K. pneumoniae is increasingly reported worldwide, mainly among extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)- and/or carbapenemase-producing isolates. The aim of this study was to report the draft genome sequence of a polymyxin-resistant, ESBL-producing K. pneumoniae isolate (14CSI) from a hospitalised domestic cat in Brazil.

Methods: Whole-genome sequencing of strain 14CSI was performed on an Illumina NextSeq platform and the genome was de novo assembled using Velvet v.1.2.10. Data analysis was performed using bioinformatics tools available from the Center for Genomic Epidemiology and the Institut Pasteur database.

Results: The genome size of strain 14CSI was calculated at 5 260 459 bp, with a GC content of 57.3% and comprising 5294 total genes, 28 tRNAs, 7 rRNAs, 8 ncRNAs and 237 pseudogenes. Klebsiella pneumoniae strain 14CSI belongs to sequence type 491 (ST491), presents a mutation (A14S) in the mgrB gene and co-harbours bla and qnrE1 genes. Genes conferring resistance to heavy metals were further identified.

Conclusion: This draft genome could be used as a reference sequence for comparative analysis of polymyxin-resistant and/or CTX-M-8-producing K. pneumoniae strains circulating at the human-animal interface.