Hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae infections: relevance of the problem | CMAC

Hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae infections: relevance of the problem

Clinical Microbiology and Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. 2025; 27(3):289-303

​ Larin E.S., Rachina S.A., Fedina L.V., Zaynalabidova Kh.G., Ageevets V.A., Sidorenko S.V., Avdeeva A.A.
10.36488/cmac.2025.3.289-303
Klebsiella pneumoniae hypervirulent antibiotic resistance virulence plasmids
Section
Diseases and Pathogens
Type
Review
Publication
Clinical Microbiology and Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. 2025; 27(3):289-303

Abstract

Klebsiella pneumoniae is one of the most common pathogens causing community-acquired and nosocomial infections in hospitalized patients. Among the two known pathotypes, hypervirulent (hvKp) has become a matter of serious concern, as such isolates can cause unusual infections in terms of their location and course (multiple foci and/or subsequent metastatic spread) in previously healthy individuals. Currently, infections caused by hvKp are detected everywhere. Of even greater concern is the convergence of hypervirulence and multiple antibiotic resistance in K. pneumoniae. This review outlines epidemiological data on the prevalence of hvKp, describes the hypervirulent pathotype in comparison with the classical one in terms of virulence factor expression and clinical manifestations. The modern approaches to the diagnosis of infections caused by hvKp, current and promising treatment, and the possibilities for specific prevention are also discussed.

Larin E.S.

War Veterans Hospital No. 3, Moscow, Russia

Svetlana A. Rachina

I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia

Fedina L.V.

City Clinical Hospital named after S.S. Yudin, Moscow, Russia

Khadizhat G. Zaynalabidova

I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia

Vladimir A. Ageevets

Paediatric Research and Clinical Centre for Infectious Diseases, Saint-Petersburg, Russia

Sergey V. Sidorenko

Paediatric Research and Clinical Centre for Infectious Diseases, Saint-Petersburg, Russia

Avdeeva A.A.

Paediatric Research and Clinical Centre for Infectious Diseases, Saint-Petersburg, Russia

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