Exploiting Klebsiella pneumoniae genomics for its significance in One Health
dc.contributor.advisor
Dorai-Schneiders, Thamarai
dc.contributor.advisor
Gally, David
dc.contributor.advisor
Wessels, Els
dc.contributor.advisor
Kuijper, Ed
dc.contributor.advisor
Franz, Eelco
dc.contributor.author
Wang, Jiayu
dc.contributor.sponsor
Medical Research Council (MRC)
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dc.date.accessioned
2025-12-05T11:47:27Z
dc.date.accessioned
2026-01-09T17:55:55Z
dc.date.available
2025-12-05T11:47:27Z
dc.date.issued
2025-12-05
dc.description.abstract
This thesis explores the genomics and epidemiological dynamics of Klebsiella variicola (K. var) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pne), focusing on their adaptation to human hosts, resistance profiles, and virulence traits.
We begin by investigating the population structure and niche adaptation of K. var through a comprehensive genomic dataset. Our analysis reveals how this pathogen, traditionally associated with plants, has transitioned into the human niche through the acquisition of genes either due to antibiotic overuse or proximity to K. pne, highlighting its genetic variability and potential public health threat. To understand its behaviour in clinical infections, we conducted a case study in Scotland involving 119 clinical strains collected in 2023. This study identified multidrug-resistant and virulent strains carrying the yersiniabactin gene, underscoring the resistance and virulence of K. var in Scotland and emphasizing the need for ongoing surveillance.
We next shifted our focus to K. pne, a close relative of K. var, examining epidemic clones such as ST11, ST15, and ST258. We analysed their global dissemination and resistance/virulence profiles, with particular attention to ST11, which has caused significant outbreaks in China. Our genomic analysis revealed distinct evolutionary paths within the ST11 lineage, particularly in the Asian cluster, where resistance to extended-spectrum-β-lactams and virulence traits, such as aerobactin and yersiniabactin, were prevalent. Furthermore, we identified key resistance mechanisms linked to fluoroquinolone and colistin resistance, particularly in a hypervirulent clonal expansion cluster of ST11.
Overall, this thesis advances the understanding of how these Klebsiella species evolve, adapt, and contribute to significant public health challenges due to their resistance and virulence traits. These findings underscore the need for continued surveillance and control measures to mitigate the risks posed by these emerging pathogens under a One Health framework.
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dc.identifier.uri
http://dx.doi.org/10.7488/era/6798
dc.identifier.uri
https://era.ed.ac.uk/handle/1842/44277
dc.language.iso
en
en
dc.publisher
The University of Edinburgh
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dc.relation.hasversion
Wang, J., Coipan, C., Franz, E., Kuijper, E., Wessels, E., Gally, D., . . . Schneiders, T. (2024). Genome analyses of a worldwide multisource collection of klebsiella variicola reveal adaptation relevant for human infection. bioRxiv. Retrieved from https://www .biorxiv.org/content/early/2024/10/28/2024.10.28.617863 doi: 10.1101/ 2024.10.28.617863
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dc.relation.hasversion
Wang, J., Feng, Y., & Zong, Z. (2023). The origins of st11 kl64 Klebsiella pneumoniae: a genome-based study. Microbiology Spectrum, 11(2), e04165–22
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dc.rights.embargodate
2028-12-05
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dc.subject
Klebsiella
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dc.subject
Evolution
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dc.subject
Adaptation
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dc.subject
Resistance
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dc.subject
Virulence
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dc.title
Exploiting Klebsiella pneumoniae genomics for its significance in One Health
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dc.type
Thesis or Dissertation
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dc.type.qualificationlevel
Doctoral
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dc.type.qualificationname
PhD Doctor of Philosophy
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dcterms.accessRights
RESTRICTED ACCESS
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