Hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae causing aortitis retains its capsule and mucoviscosity and remains genotypically and phenotypically stable over time.

ABSTRACT: Aortitis due to hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae (hvKp) in a Belarusian male from central New York is described. Isolates at the time of diagnosis (Kp031824-1, Kp031824-2) and after 12 weeks of antimicrobial therapy (Kp070124) were characterized. Kp070124 was genomically and phenotypically unchanged retaining its capsular polysaccharide and mucoviscosity. In vitro studies established that capsule minus derivatives of Kp031824-1 and Kp031824-2 can occur due to mutations in wcaJ. But this genotype/phenotype was not selected for in Kp070124 after ≥15 weeks in the systemic compartment. Compared to capsule minus derivatives, the capsule positive phenotype demonstrated resistance to phagocytosis, but not to complement mediated bactericidal activity, suggesting resistance to phagocytosis is a

SUBMITTER: Russo TA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12615786 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature