In vivo evolution of a Klebsiella pneumoniae capsule defect with wcaJ mutation promotes complement-mediated opsono-phagocytosis during recurrent infection.

BACKGROUND: Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase-producing K. pneumoniae (KPC-Kp) bloodstream infections are associated with high mortality. We studied clinical bloodstream KPC-Kp isolates to investigate mechanisms of resistance to complement, a key host defense against bloodstream infection. METHODS: We tested growth of KPC-Kp isolates in human serum. In serial isolates from a single patient, we performed whole genome sequencing and tested for complement resistance and binding by mixing study, direct ELISA, flow cytometry, and electron microscopy. We utilized an isogenic deletion mutant in phagocytosis assays and an acute lung infection model. RESULTS: We found serum resistance in 16 of 59 (27%) KPC-Kp clinical bloodstream isolates. In five genetically-related bloodstream isolates from a single patient, we noted a loss-of-function mutation in the capsule biosynthesis gene, wcaJ. Disruption of wcaJ was associated with decreased polysaccharide capsule, resistance to complement-mediated killing, and surprisingly, increased binding of complement proteins. Furthermore, an isogenic wcaJ deletion mutant exhibited increased opsono-phagocytosis in vitro and impaired in vivo control in the lung after airspace macrophage depletion in mice. CONCLUSIONS: Loss of function in wcaJ led to increased complement resistance, complement binding, and opsono-phagocytosis, which may promote KPC-Kp persistence by enabling co-existence of increased bloodstream fitness and reduced tissue virulence.

In vivo evolution of a Klebsiella pneumoniae capsule defect promotes complement-mediated opsono-phagocytosis and persistence during recurrent infection.

Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase-producing K. pneumoniae (KPC-Kp) bloodstream infections rarely overwhelm the host but are associated with high mortality. The complement system is a key host defense against bloodstream infection. However, there are varying reports of serum resistance among KPC-Kp isolates. We assessed growth of 59 KPC-Kp clinical isolates in human serum and found increased resistance in 16/59 (27%). We identified five genetically-related bloodstream isolates with varying serum resistance profiles collected from a single patient during an extended hospitalization marked by recurrent KPC-Kp bloodstream infections. We noted a loss-of-function mutation in the capsule biosynthesis gene, wcaJ, that emerged during infection was associated with decreased polysaccharide capsule content, and resistance to complement-mediated killing. Surprisingly, disruption of wcaJ increased deposition of complement proteins on the microbial surface compared to the wild-type strain and led to increased complement-mediated opsono-phagocytosis in human whole blood. Disabling opsono-phagocytosis in the airspaces of mice impaired in vivo control of the wcaJ loss-of-function mutant in an acute lung infection model. These findings describe the rise of a capsular mutation that promotes KPC-Kp persistence within the host by enabling co-existence of increased bloodstream fitness and reduced tissue virulence.