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Chen T, Wang Y, Chi X, Xiong L, Lu P, Wang X, Chen Y, Luo Q, Shen P, Xiao Y. Genetic, virulence, and antimicrobial resistance characteristics associated with distinct morphotypes in ST11 carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae. Virulence 2024; 15:2349768. [PMID: 38736039 PMCID: PMC11093053 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2024.2349768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024] Open
Abstract
ST11 is the most common lineage among carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) infections in Asia. Diverse morphotypes resulting from genetic mutations are associated with significant differences in microbial characteristics among K. pneumoniae isolates. Here, we investigated the genetic determinants and critical characteristics associated with distinct morphotypes of ST11 CRKP. An ST11-KL47 CRKP isolate carrying a pLVPK-like virulence plasmid was isolated from a patient with a bloodstream infection; the isolate had the "mcsw" morphotype. Two distinct morphotypes ("ntrd" and "msdw") were derived from this strain during in vitro passage. Whole genome sequencing was used to identify mutations that cause the distinct morphotypes of ST11 CRKP. Transmission electron microscopy, antimicrobial susceptibility tests, growth assays, biofilm formation, virulence assays, membrane permeability assays, and RNA-seq analysis were used to investigate the specific characteristics associated with different morphotypes of ST11 CRKP. Compared with the parental mcsw morphotype, the ntrd morphotype resulted from mutation of genes involved in capsular polysaccharide biosynthesis (wza, wzc, and wbaP), a result validated by gene knockout experiments. This morphotype showed capsule deficiency and lower virulence potential, but higher biofilm production. By contrast, the msdw morphotype displayed competition deficiency and increased susceptibility to chlorhexidine and polymyxin B. Further analyses indicated that these characteristics were caused by interruption of the sigma factor gene rpoN by insertion mutations and deletion of the rpoN gene, which attenuated membrane integrity presumably by downregulating the phage shock protein operon. These data expand current understanding of genetic, virulence, and antimicrobial resistance characteristics associated with distinct morphotypes in ST11 CRKP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yuan Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiaohui Chi
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Luying Xiong
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ping Lu
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xueting Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yunbo Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Qixia Luo
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ping Shen
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Jinan Microecological Biomedicine Shandong Laboratory, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Yonghong Xiao
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Jinan Microecological Biomedicine Shandong Laboratory, Jinan, Shandong, China
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Miller WR, Arias CA. ESKAPE pathogens: antimicrobial resistance, epidemiology, clinical impact and therapeutics. Nat Rev Microbiol 2024:10.1038/s41579-024-01054-w. [PMID: 38831030 DOI: 10.1038/s41579-024-01054-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
The rise of antibiotic resistance and a dwindling antimicrobial pipeline have been recognized as emerging threats to public health. The ESKAPE pathogens - Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterobacter spp. - were initially identified as critical multidrug-resistant bacteria for which effective therapies were rapidly needed. Now, entering the third decade of the twenty-first century, and despite the introduction of several new antibiotics and antibiotic adjuvants, such as novel β-lactamase inhibitors, these organisms continue to represent major therapeutic challenges. These bacteria share several key biological features, including adaptations for survival in the modern health-care setting, diverse methods for acquiring resistance determinants and the dissemination of successful high-risk clones around the world. With the advent of next-generation sequencing, novel tools to track and combat the spread of these organisms have rapidly evolved, as well as renewed interest in non-traditional antibiotic approaches. In this Review, we explore the current epidemiology and clinical impact of this important group of bacterial pathogens and discuss relevant mechanisms of resistance to recently introduced antibiotics that affect their use in clinical settings. Furthermore, we discuss emerging therapeutic strategies needed for effective patient care in the era of widespread antimicrobial resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- William R Miller
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
- Center for Infectious Diseases, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | - Cesar A Arias
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, USA.
- Center for Infectious Diseases, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, USA.
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA.
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Zhang W, Wang Y, Wang K, Li J, Liu J, Li S, Song L, Liao C, Yang X, Li P, Liu X. Hybrid Sequencing-Based Genomic Analysis of Klebsiella pneumoniae from Urinary Tract Infections Among Inpatients at a Tertiary Hospital in Beijing. Infect Drug Resist 2024; 17:1447-1457. [PMID: 38628244 PMCID: PMC11020236 DOI: 10.2147/idr.s448253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Urinary tract infection (UTI) associated with Klebsiella pneumoniae poses a serious threat for inpatients. This study aimed to describe the genomic characteristics of K. pneumoniae causing UTI in a tertiary-care hospital in Beijing, China. Methods A total of 20 K. pneumoniae strains collected from 2020 to 2021 were performed whole-genome sequencing. The Antibiotic susceptibility of 19 common antimicrobial agents was tested against all strains. The multi-locus sequence types (MLSTs) and serotypes were determined from the WGS data. De novo assemblies were used to identify resistance and virulence genes. The presence and characteristics of the plasmids were detected using hybrid assembly of long and short-read data. Results These K. pneumoniae strains were clustered into nine sequence types (STs) and twelve K-serotypes. All the carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae (CRKP) strains acquired carbapenemase blaKPC-2 (n=7). Two CRKP strains exhibited increased resistance to Polymyxin B with MIC ≥ 4 mg/L due to insertion of an IS5-like sequence in the mgrB gene, and they were also involved in a transmission event in Intensive Care Unit. Long-read assemblies identified many plasmids co-carrying multiple replicons. Acquisition of a new IncM2_1 type blaCTX-M-3 positive plasmid was observed after transfer from ICU to neurovascular surgery by comparing the two strains collected from the same patient. Conclusion K. pneumoniae is a significant pathogen responsible for urinary tract infections. The ST11-KL47 strain, prevalent at our hospital, exhibits a combination of high drug resistance and hypervirulence. It is imperative to enhance ongoing genomic surveillance of urinary tract infection-causing pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Third Medical Center, PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100039, China
| | - Yufei Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Third Medical Center, PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100039, China
| | - Kaiying Wang
- Chinese PLA Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, 100071, China
| | - Jinhui Li
- Chinese PLA Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, 100071, China
| | - Jia Liu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Third Medical Center, PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100039, China
| | - Shulei Li
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Third Medical Center, PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100039, China
| | - Lijie Song
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Third Medical Center, PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100039, China
| | - Chunchen Liao
- Chinese PLA Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, 100071, China
| | - Xiaoli Yang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Third Medical Center, PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100039, China
| | - Peng Li
- Chinese PLA Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, 100071, China
| | - Xiong Liu
- Chinese PLA Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, 100071, China
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Ge X, Zhou Y, Jin H, Liu K, Zhu K, Yu Y, Xue J, Wang Q, Du X, Wang H, Xiang Y, Li W, Tian S, Yan Z, Qiu S. Genomic insights and antimicrobial resistance profiles of CRKP and non-CRKP isolates in a Beijing geriatric medical center: emphasizing the blaKPC-2 carrying high-risk clones and their spread. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1359340. [PMID: 38414769 PMCID: PMC10897042 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1359340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The escalating resistance of Klebsiella pneumoniae, a prevalent pathogen in healthcare settings, especially its carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae (CRKP), to a wide array of antibiotics, notably β-lactams, constitutes a formidable challenge for healthcare and global public health management. Methods This research compared the resistance phenotypes and genomic profiles of CRKP and Non-CRKP isolates in a Beijing hospital, focusing on high-risk blaKPC-2 gene-bearing CRKP clones and the structure of mobile genetic elements facilitating their spread across hospital departments. Forty K. pneumoniae isolates were collected from various departments of the hospital and subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing and whole-genome sequencing to analyze their resistance phenotypes and genomic features. Results The study revealed that among the 31 CRKP isolates, ST11 is the most common sequence type, with K47 and OL101 being the dominant capsule types, primarily observed in the respiratory department. In terms of antimicrobial susceptibility: 87.5% of the isolates exhibited multidrug resistance (MDR), with a high resistance rate of 30% against tigecycline. All CRKP isolates demonstrated resistance to multiple drug classes (≥5 CLSI classes). Non-CRKP isolates also showed high resistance rates to minocycline and doxycycline (77.8%). the ST11-KL47-OL101 type emerged as the predominant clone among the CRKP isolates carrying the blaKPC-2 gene. This dominance appears to be mediated by the pKpnR03_2 plasmid, which harbors not only blaKPC-2 and rmtb but also gene clusters pertinent to iron transport and arsenic resistance. These isolates, clustering in the C3 clade of the phylogenetic tree, exhibited minor genetic variations and close evolutionary relationships, suggesting a plasmid-driven spread across various hospital departments. Conclusion In summary, our study highlights the extensive spread of antibiotic-resistant K. pneumoniae across various departments in our hospital, with a particular emphasis on the dominant clonal proliferation of the ST11-KL47-OL101 CRKP strain. This finding underscores the significant role of plasmid-mediated gene transfer in the evolution and dissemination of resistant strains within hospital environments. The study emphasizes the necessity for ongoing surveillance of antibiotic resistance and genomic analysis in hospital settings to effectively monitor and manage these challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Ge
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- The Chinese PLA Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Yu Zhou
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Second Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Hang Jin
- The Chinese PLA Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
- School of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Kangkang Liu
- Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Kunpeng Zhu
- Kaifeng Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Kaifeng, Henan, China
| | - Yulong Yu
- The Chinese PLA Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
- School of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Jingzhuang Xue
- Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Qi Wang
- The Chinese PLA Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Xinying Du
- The Chinese PLA Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Hui Wang
- The Chinese PLA Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Ying Xiang
- The Chinese PLA Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Wenjun Li
- The Chinese PLA Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Sai Tian
- The Chinese PLA Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Zhongqiang Yan
- Department of Disease Prevention and Control, The Second Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Shaofu Qiu
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- The Chinese PLA Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
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Li YT, Wang YC, Chen CM, Tang HL, Chen BH, Teng RH, Chiou CS, Lu MC, Lai YC. Distinct evolution of ST11 KL64 Klebsiella pneumoniae in Taiwan. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1291540. [PMID: 38143864 PMCID: PMC10748404 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1291540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Carbapenem-resistant ST11_KL64 Klebsiella pneumoniae emerged as a significant public health concern in Taiwan, peaking between 2013 and 2015, with the majority of isolates exhibiting OXA-48 as the sole carbapenemase. In this study, we employed whole-genome sequencing to investigate the molecular underpinnings of ST11_KL64 isolates collected from 2013 to 2021. Phylogenomic analysis revealed a notable genetic divergence between the ST11_KL64 strains in Taiwan and those in China, suggesting an independent evolutionary trajectory. Our findings indicated that the ST11_KL64_Taiwan lineage originated from the ST11_KL64 lineage in Brazil, with recombination events leading to the integration of ICEKp11 and a 27-kb fragment at the tRNAASN sites, shaping its unique genomic landscape. To further elucidate this unique sublineage, we examined the plasmid contents. In contrast to ST11_KL64_Brazil strains, which predominantly carried blaKPC-2, ST11_KL64_Taiwan strains exhibited the acquisition of an epidemic blaOXA-48-carrying IncL plasmid. Additionally, ST11_KL64_Taiwan strains consistently harbored a multi-drug resistance IncC plasmid, along with a collection of gene clusters that conferred resistance to heavy metals and the phage shock protein system via various Inc-type plasmids. Although few, there were still rare ST11_KL64_Taiwan strains that have evolved into hypervirulent CRKP through the horizontal acquisition of pLVPK variants. Comprehensive characterization of the high-risk ST11_KL64 lineage in Taiwan not only sheds light on its epidemic success but also provides essential data for ongoing surveillance efforts aimed at tracking the spread and evolution of ST11_KL64 across different geographical regions. Understanding the molecular underpinnings of CRKP evolution is crucial for developing effective strategies to combat its emergence and dissemination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yia-Ting Li
- Division of Respiratory Therapy, Department of Internal Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Yao-Chen Wang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Ming Chen
- Department of Internal Medicine, Tungs’ Taichung MetroHarbor Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Hui-Ling Tang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Bo-Han Chen
- Central Region Laboratory, Center for Diagnostics and Vaccine Development, Centers for Disease Control, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ru-Hsiou Teng
- Central Region Laboratory, Center for Diagnostics and Vaccine Development, Centers for Disease Control, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Shun Chiou
- Central Region Laboratory, Center for Diagnostics and Vaccine Development, Centers for Disease Control, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Min-Chi Lu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Chyi Lai
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
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Wang J, Feng Y, Zong Z. The Origins of ST11 KL64 Klebsiella pneumoniae: a Genome-Based Study. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0416522. [PMID: 36971550 PMCID: PMC10101065 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.04165-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/26/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) is a major severe threat for human health, and its spread is largely driven by a few dominant lineages defined by sequence types (ST) and capsular (KL) types. ST11-KL64 is one such dominant lineage that is particularly common in China but also has a worldwide distribution. However, the population structure and origin of ST11-KL64 K. pneumoniae remain to be determined. We retrieved all K. pneumoniae genomes (n = 13,625, as of June 2022) from NCBI, comprising 730 ST11-KL64 strains. Phylogenomic analysis of core-genome single-nucleotide polymorphisms identified two major clades (I and II) plus an additional singleton of ST11-KL64. We performed dated ancestral reconstruction analysis using BactDating and found that clade I likely emerged in 1989 in Brazil, while clade II emerged around 2008 in eastern China. We then investigated the origin of the two clades and the singleton using a phylogenomic approach combined with analysis of potential recombination regions. We found that ST11-KL64 clade I is likely a hybrid with 91.2% (ca. 4.98 Mb) of the chromosome derived from the ST11-KL15 lineage and 8.8% (483 kb) acquired from ST147-KL64. In contrast, ST11-KL64 clade II was derived from ST11-KL47 with swapping of a 157-kb region (3% of the chromosome) containing the capsule gene cluster with clonal complex 1764 (CC1764)-KL64. The singleton also evolved from ST11-KL47 but with swapping of a 126-kb region with ST11-KL64 clade I. In conclusion, ST11-KL64 is a heterogenous lineage comprising two major clades and a singleton with different origins that emerged in different countries at different time points. IMPORTANCE Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) has emerged as a severe threat globally and is associated with increased lengths of hospital stay and high mortality in affected patients. The spread of CRKP is largely driven by a few dominant lineages, including ST11-KL64, the dominant type in China with a worldwide distribution. Here, we tested the hypothesis that ST11-KL64 K. pneumoniae is a single genomic lineage by performing a genome-based study. However, we found that ST11-KL64 comprises a singleton and two major clades, which emerged in different countries in different years. In particular, the two clades and the singleton have different origins and acquired the KL64 capsule gene cluster from various sources. Our study underscores that the chromosomal region containing the capsule gene cluster is a hot spot of recombination in K. pneumoniae. This represents a major evolutionary mechanism employed by some bacteria for rapid evolution with novel clades that accommodate stress for survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junna Wang
- Center of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yu Feng
- Center for Pathogen Research, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Zhiyong Zong
- Center of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Center for Pathogen Research, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Division of Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Chengdu, China
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