Klebsiella pneumoniae Genome sequencing
Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) is an emerging nosocomial pathogen of major concern. We investigated the clonal diversity and dissemination of CRKP in Malaysia between January 2022 and December 2023. A total of 147 CRKP isolates were collected from diverse clinical settings, all resistant to at least one carbapenem, with 124 confirmed as carbapenemase producers. ERIC-PCR genotyping revealed 24 clusters across multiple wards. Twelve representative isolates, selected based on epidemiological data and clustering, underwent whole-genome sequencing (WGS). Genomic analyses confirmed clonal dissemination of ST17 as the dominant CRKP lineage and identified bla_NDM as the key carbapenemase gene in all sequenced isolates. This integrated approach combining phenotypic, molecular, and genomic data provides insights into resistance dynamics, transmission, and supports effective infection control strategies.