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Volume 10, Issue 9

Evaluation of pathogenicity through holistic gene content analysis Open Access

Abstract

is a Gram-negative bacterium that causes both community- and healthcare-associated infections. Although various virulence factors and highly pathogenic phenotypes have been reported, the pathogenicity of is still not fully understood. In this study, we utilized whole-genome sequencing data of 168 clinical strains to assess pathogenicity. This work was based on the concept that the genetic composition of individual genomes (referred to as holistic gene content) of the strains may contribute to their pathogenicity. Holistic gene content analysis revealed two distinct groups of strains (‘major group’ and ‘minor group’). The minor group included strains with known highly pathogenic clones (ST23, ST375, ST65 and ST86). The minor group had higher rates of capsular genotype K1 and presence of nine specific virulence genes (, , , , , , , and ) compared to the major group. Pathogenicity was assessed using larvae. Infection experiments revealed lower survival rates of larvae infected with strains from the minor group, indicating higher virulence. In addition, the minor group had a higher string test positivity rate than the major group. Holistic gene content analysis predicted possession of virulence genes, string test positivity and pathogenicity as observed in the infection model. Moreover, the findings suggested the presence of as yet unrecognized genomic elements that are either involved in the acquisition of virulence genes or associated with pathogenicity.

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Keyword(s): Galleria mellonella , genomes , Klebsiella pneumoniae and virulence
Funding
This study was supported by the:
  • Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (Award R01AI104895)
    • Principal Award Recipient: YoheiDoi
  • Nagoya University CIBoG WISE program from MEXT
    • Principal Award Recipient: MiyuIsogai
  • Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (Award JP20K08819)
    • Principal Award Recipient: KumikoKawamura
© 2024 The Authors
  • This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License.
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2024-09-19
2025-12-07

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Evaluation of Klebsiella pneumoniae pathogenicity through holistic gene content analysis
M Gen 10, 001295 (2024); https://doi.org/10.1099/mgen.0.001295
/content/journal/mgen/10.1099/mgen.0.001295
/content/journal/mgen/10.1099/mgen.0.001295
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