Virulence divergence of K2-ST25 Klebsiella pneumoniae

In a previous study, we found there was an outbreak of four cases infected by K2-ST25 clonotype K. pneumoniae in neonatal wards from July 2019 to January 2020. These cases alerted us to investigate the virulence potential in vivo and in vitro of K2-ST25 strains. In the research presented herein, we revealed the virulence divergence of the K2-ST25 clone. On the basis of whole-genome sequencing and function experiment, we revealed the determinants of newly emerging K2-ST25 Kp in developing hypervirulence in vivo and in vitro, furthermore, we constructed a phylogenetic analysis of global hypervirulence genes-possessing ST25 clonal K. pneumoniae to trace the evolutionary dynamics, providing trajectory evidence on a global scale for prevention and control of the high-risk clone transmissions.