Protein Malnutrition Facilitates Intestinal Colonization with Highly Resistant <i>Klebsiella pneumoniae</i>.

ABSTRACT: Pediatric infections with Highly Resistant Enterobacterales (HRE), including Klebsiella pneumoniae resistant to 3^rd-generation cephalosporins and/or carbapenems, disproportionately affect low- and middle-income countries where malnutrition is prevalent. The underlying mechanisms linking malnutrition to HRE colonization in children have not been established. In this study we developed a mouse model of pediatric malnutrition and intestinal colonization with clinical isolates of carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae (CR-Kp). Juvenile mice fed a protein-deficient diet (PD) were more susceptible to intestinal colonization after inoculation with human-derived strains of CR-Kp, demonstrating a 3-4 log higher colonization burden in comparison to mice fed a control diet (CD).

SUBMITTER: Holowka T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12330750 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature