Phagocytosis and Killing of Carbapenem-Resistant ST258 Klebsiella pneumoniae by Human Neutrophils

Scott D. Kobayashi, Adeline R. Porter, David W. Dorward, Amanda J. Brinkworth, Liang Chen, Barry N. Kreiswirth, Frank R. Deleo

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

50 Scopus citations

Abstract

Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae strains classified as multilocus sequence type 258 (ST258) are among the most widespread multidrug-resistant hospital-acquired pathogens. Treatment of infections caused by these organisms is difficult, and mortality is high. The basis for the success of ST258, outside of antibiotic resistance, remains incompletely determined. Here we tested the hypothesis that ST258 K. pneumoniae has enhanced capacity to circumvent killing by human neutrophils, the primary cellular defense against bacterial infections. There was limited binding and uptake of ST258 by human neutrophils, and correspondingly, there was limited killing of bacteria. On the other hand, transmission electron microscopy revealed that any ingested organisms were degraded readily within neutrophil phagosomes, thus indicating that survival in the neutrophil assays is due to limited phagocytosis, rather than to microbicide resistance after uptake. Our findings suggest that enhancing neutrophil phagocytosis is a potential therapeutic approach for treatment of infection caused by carbapenem-resistant ST258 K. pneumoniae.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1615-1622
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Infectious Diseases
Volume213
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - May 15 2016
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Klebsiella pneumoniae
  • Neutrophil
  • Phagocytosis

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Infectious Diseases

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