A collection of 67 potentially hypervirulent K.  pneumoniae isolates was compiled. Genomic DNA was isolated and whole genome sequencing (WGS) was performed using Illumina® MiSeq, Illumina® NextSeq and MinIon, single and combined methods. Phylogenetic and genetic markers, such as capsule types and multi-locus sequence types, and virulence factors were extracted from NGS data.
The present study characterizes the combination of virulence genes, antimicrobial resistance genes, phenotypic traits and evaluates the combination of these to identify an optimal combination of phenotypic and/or genetic traits for differentiation between hvKp and cKp. This aim to discuss the microbiological and molecular biological approaches used for hvKp/cKp differentiation and provide further knowledge in this area, that will help to develop future strategies to combat the growing threat of hypervirulent K. pneumoniae infections and ultimately improving patient outcomes.