Yiqun Liao,1 Junjie Gong,1 Xiaoliang Yuan,2 Xiaoling Wang,1 Yuanhong Huang,3 Xiaohong Chen1 

1Department of Laboratory Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Respiratory Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Laboratory Medicine, Ganzhou Municipal Hospital, Ganzhou, People’s Republic of China

Correspondence: Yuanhong Huang, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Ganzhou Municipal Hospital, NO. 49 Dagong Road, Zhanggong District, Ganzhou, Jiangxi Province, 341000, People’s Republic of China, Email 11987825@qq.com Xiaohong Chen, Department of Laboratory Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, NO. 23 Qingnian Road, Zhanggong District, Ganzhou, Jiangxi Province, 341000, People’s Republic of China, Email ccxxhh1997@163.com

Abstract: Hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae (hvKP) has emerged as a novel variant of K. pneumoniae, exhibiting distinct phenotypic and genotypic characteristics that confer increased virulence and pathogenicity. It is not only responsible for nosocomial infections but also community-acquired infections, including liver abscesses, endophthalmitis, and meningitis, leading to significant morbidity and mortality. HvKP has been reported all over the world, but it is mainly prevalent in Asia Pacific, especially China. Moreover, hvKP can acquire carbapenemase genes resulting in the emergence of carbapenem-resistant hypervirulent K. pneumoniae (CR-hvKP), which possesses both high virulence and drug resistance capabilities. Consequently, CR-hvKP poses substantial challenges to infection control and presents serious threats to global public health. In this paper, we provide a comprehensive summary of the epidemiological characteristics, virulence factors, and mechanisms underlying carbapenem resistance in hvKP strains with the aim of offering valuable insights for practical prevention strategies as well as future research.

Keywords: hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae, virulence factors, plasmid, drug resistance