Research progress in heteroresistance of Klebsiella pneumoniae to antibiotics

Abstract:

Klebsiella pneumoniae (KP), one of the most common pathogens causing clinical infections, often results in pneumonia, urinary tract infection, and bacteremia. In recent years, studies have reported the heteroresistance of K. pneumoniae. Heteroresistance refers to the phenomenon that there are both resistant and susceptible subpopulations of a strain to an antibiotic. Due to the phenotypic and genetic instability of heteroresistance, standard, low-cost, and efficient detection methods remain to be established. This article reviews the research progress in heteroresistance of K. pneumoniae, clarifies the definition and detection methods of heteroresistance, and probes into the heteroresistance mechanism of K. pneumoniae on the basis of our previous studies about the heteroresistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This article will provide a reference for comprehensively understanding the heteroresistance mechanism of K. pneumoniae, optimizing the clinical use of antibiotics, and treating bacterial infections.