Polymyxin heteroresistance in Klebsiella oxytoca

Abstract

Introduction. Antibiotic heteroresistance presents a growing public health concern, as the phenotype is associated with treatment failure and is hard to detect using conventional diagnostic testing.

Gap Statement. Heteroresistance in Klebsiella oxytoca, an opportunistic pathogen associated with hospital-acquired infections, has not been characterized.

Aim. In this study, we characterized polymyxin B heteroresistance in a collection of six clinical and environmental isolates of K. oxytoca.

Methodology. We assessed heteroresistance using population analysis profile assays and LPS modifications using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF).

Results. All six isolates tested exhibited heteroresistance, indicated by an 8–16-fold difference between the MIC of the bulk population and the MIC of the resistant sub-population, as determined using population analysis profiling. Heteroresistance was found to be due to the presence of a stable sub-population of resistant bacteria, the size of which was unaffected by growth phase or the presence of host antimicrobial factors present in human serum. MALDI-TOF analysis revealed 4-amino-l-arabinose modifications of the lipid A of resistant sub-populations.

Conclusion. This pilot study identifies that polymyxin heteroresistance in K. oxytoca may complicate the treatment of infections caused by this organism.

Received: 05/08/2025 Accepted: 06/03/2026 Published Online: 27/03/2026

Funding

This study was supported by the: Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (Award BB/Y003667/1) Principal Award Recipient: AndrewMichael Edwards Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (Award BB/X000370/1) Principal Award Recipient: AndrewMichael Edwards Global Development Hub Fellows Fund at Imperial College London Principal Award Recipient: EuniceA Ayerakwa NIHR Imperial Biomedical Research Centre Principal Award Recipient: AndrewMichael Edwards

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/content/journal/jmm/10.1099/jmm.0.002148

2026-03-27

2026-04-06

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