Genomic Analysis of blaKPC Gene in Klebsiella pneumoniae Producing Carbapenemase

Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae strains pose a significant threat to public health due to their ability to produce the blaKPC gene, conferring resistance to carbapenem antibiotics. Understanding the genomic diversity, evolutionary relationships and genetic complexity of the blaKPC variants is crucial for effective antimicrobial strategies. The study involved comprehensive genomic analysis of blaKPC gene sequences from 55 K. pneumoniae strains. The study involved indel haplotype diversity assessment, nucleotide diversity calculations and sequence conservation analysis. Additionally, the results were compared with larger dataset from a previous study. Indel haplotype diversity was Hd =0.879, nucleotide genetic variation was π = 0.0395 and the average number of differences in nucleotide was 37.446. Despite a smaller sample size, the study shows increased diversity of 8.9%. This study contributes valuable insights into blaKPC gene diversity, evolution and clinical relevance. Recommendations include tailored antibiotic selection, phylogenetic surveillance and global collaboration. Future studies should focus on functional characterization and clinical validation.