The World Health Organization (WHO) has aired caution regarding escalating reports of Klebsiella pneumoniae strains that are both hypervirulent and multidrug-resistant. These findings are the result of a global evaluation executed by the WHO through its Global Antimicrobial Resistance and Surveillance System (GLASS). The assessment was initiated in response to heightened detection of these aggressive bacteria strains in several countries.
Among the 43 countries and territories that responded to the WHO’s information request, 40% reported the presence of these dangerous strains. Unlike traditional K pneumoniae, which primarily targets immunocompromised hospitalized patients, these hypervirulent strains are capable of causing severe, rapidly progressing infections, even in healthy individuals. In addition, they wield the ability to spread across multiple body sites. These highly contagious bacterial strains can spark high rates of sickness and death.
Initial cases of these infections were identified in community settings in parts of Asia. However, recent data points to the transmission of multidrug-resistant strains in healthcare settings across various countries, pushing the WHO to amplify its concerns.
An alarmingly virulent strain identified as sequence type (ST)23 is of particular concern because it contains genes which enable resistance to powerful antibiotics, including all available beta-lactam antibiotics. The WHO warns of ST23’s capacity to edge out other gut bacteria, potentially spurring further colonization and spread. The organization anticipates an increased risk of these strains spreading both at the community and hospital levels due to their lethal combination of hypervirulence and antibiotic resistance.
Impactfully, hvKp infections traditionally slip under the radar due to limited surveillance, lack of systematic reporting and physicians’ unfamiliarity. Poor diagnostic capabilities in low-resource countries exacerbate the issue. The WHO encourages countries to bolster their laboratory capabilities and surveillance systems, and implement stringent infection prevention and control measures in their healthcare facilities. Furthermore, the organization has pledged to support countries in fostering both clinical and public health awareness for the early detection of hvKp strains.