Researchers at the Emory Center for Antibiotic Resistance have described a new strain of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, Klebsiella pneumoniae, that cause pneumonia and other dangerous infections. This species, which has increased virulence (the ability to infect the body), was isolated from a patient in the United States. This was announced in a press release on EurekAlert !.
The analysis showed that the isolate of Klebsiella pneumoniae exhibits heteroresistance to the antibiotic holistin, that is, a small subpopulation of bacteria has this feature. Due to its toxicity, cholistin is a last resort antibiotic and is used only if other drugs are not helpful. The new strain is also resistant to a wide range of carbapenem antibiotics.
Scientists note that the isolate is less virulent than the one that was isolated in a Chinese hospital in 2016, but it is the first to show resistance to a strong antibiotic. Previously studied hypervirulent strains have responded successfully to treatment. In view of this, experts will continue to study the new species of bacteria to determine how easily it can increase its pathogenicity.