Molecular Characterization of an IncFII(k) Plasmid Co-harboring bla(IMP–26) and tet(A) Variant in a Clinical Klebsiella pneumoniae Isolate

Carbapenems and tigecycline are two important classes of antimicrobial agents to treat the infections caused by Enterobacterales. Here, we reported a plasmid carrying both bla(IMP–26) and tet(A) variant in clinical Klebsiella pneumoniae KP-1572. MIC results showed that K. pneumonia KP-1572 was resistant to a wide range of antimicrobials. The bla(IMP–26) and tet(A) variant were located on an identical plasmid, which was indicated by S1-PFGE and southern blotting hybridization and can be successfully transferred by electroporation. Whole-plasmid sequencing and analysis revealed that a 142,993-bp-sized plasmid, designated pIMP1572, contains an IncFII(k) backbone and a variable region harboring bla(IMP–26) and tet(A) variant. The plasmid pIMP1572 was apparently originated from a tet(A)-carrying IncFII(k) plasmid but with a deletion length of 6,216-bp and a multiple drug resistance region (MDRR) insertion of 25,259 bp. The plasmid pIMP1572 in the present study represents the first report of the IncFII(k) plasmid co-carrying bla(IMP) and tet(A) variant, which should be monitored.