Plasmid-Mediated Resistance in Klebsiella: A Rising Challenge

A new study found that tmexCD1-toprJ1 in Klebsiella pneumoniae confers transferable tigecycline resistance and has expanded beyond poultry into clinical and environmental niches.

Whole-genome sequencing surveys reported predominance of the gene cluster in chicken feces with independent detections in human clinical isolates across geographically distant regions.

Horizontal gene transfer via mobile plasmids undermines tigecycline reliability and increases the likelihood of co-resistance to other last-resort agents, complicating treatment of severe Klebsiella infections.

When tmexCD1-toprJ1 is suspected, diagnostic interpretation and antibiotic selection must account for elevated multidrug-resistance risk.