152. Molecular Epidemiological Analysis of Relapsed Gram-negative Bloodstream Infection Isolates
Authors: Parsons Joshua B , Bock Andrew , Hanson Blake M , Conlon Brian P , Arias Cesar A , Fowler Vance G , Thaden Joshua T 
Published: December 2022

Background

Gram-negative bacterial bloodstream infections (GNB-BSI) are common and frequently lethal. Many patients experience multiple episodes of GNB-BSI for unclear reasons. This study examines the genetic differences between initial and subsequent isolates of recurrent GNB-BSI.

Methods

We used a prospective cohort of patients with GNB-BSI at Duke Hospital to identify patients with &gt;1 episode of GNB-BSI due to the same bacterial species. We performed pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) on paired isolates to determine if the events were Reinfection (paired isolates different) or Relapse (paired isolates genetically identical). We then used whole genome sequencing (WGS) to verify the PFGE findings and explore the genetic similarity between initial and relapsed GNB-BSI isolates.

Results

Among 1,423 unique patients with GNB-BSI, 60 (4%) experienced recurrent GNB-BSI with the same bacterial species. We performed genotyping (PFGE, followed by WGS) on the paired bacterial isolates from the index and recurrent bloodstream infections for the four most common species in our study population (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella species, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Serratia marcescens) (n=48 pairs). We determined that 63% (30/48) of recurrent GNB-BSI episodes were due to relapse and 37% (18/48) were due to reinfection. PFGE correctly identified relapse versus reinfection in 98% (47/48) of cases. The WGS data illustrated the microevolution of relapsed GNB-BSI isolates within patients. When comparing initial to relapsed isolates, we calculated a median of 5 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in relapsed E. coli isolates and 2 SNPs in Klebsiella spp. isolates. Of these SNPs, 37% (E. coli) and 12% (Klebsiella) were non-synonymous changes in coding regions, most commonly genes associated with antimicrobial resistance (AMR), energy metabolism and stress response. Alterations in the AMR profile was common, with 20/30 relapsed isolates demonstrating either loss or acquisition of AMR. Figure 1:Time from initial to recurrent episode of gram-negative bloodstream infection.

Relapse (i.e., same bacterial strain noted by green circle) versus reinfection (i.e., different bacterial strain noted by red circle) was determined by pulse field gel electrophoresis followed by WGS.

Whole genome sequencing was performed on the initial and recurrent isolate from patients with relapsed GNB-BSI. We identified single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) present in the recurrent isolate, which were not present in the initial isolate. We identified the function of genes containing SNPs in E. coli (n=28 SNPs) and Klebsiella spp. (n=13 SNPs). Synonymous mutations, insertions, deletions, and non-synonymous mutations in hypothetical proteins were excluded.

Conclusion

Most recurrent GNB-BSI with same species are due to relapse. PFGE has comparable accuracy to WGS to determine reinfection versus relapse. Multiple mutations in genes involved in stress response, AMR and metabolism were identified in relapsed isolates.

Disclosures

Vance G. Fowler, Jr, MD, MHS, Affinergy: Grant/Research Support|Affinergy: Honoraria|Affinium: Honoraria|Amphliphi Biosciences: Honoraria|ArcBio: Stocks/Bonds|Basilea: Grant/Research Support|Basilea: Honoraria|Bayer: Honoraria|C3J: Honoraria|Cerexa/Forest/Actavis/Allergan: Grant/Research Support|Contrafect: Grant/Research Support|Contrafect: Honoraria|Cubist/Merck: Grant/Research Support|Debiopharm: Grant/Research Support|Deep Blue: Grant/Research Support|Destiny: Honoraria|Genentech: Grant/Research Support|Genentech: Honoraria|Integrated Biotherapeutics: Honoraria|Janssen: Grant/Research Support|Janssen: Honoraria|Karius: Grant/Research Support|Medicines Co.: Honoraria|MedImmune: Grant/Research Support|MedImmune: Honoraria|NIH: Grant/Research Support|Novartis: Grant/Research Support|Novartis: Honoraria|Pfizer: Grant/Research Support|Regeneron: Grant/Research Support|Regeneron: Honoraria|Sepsis diagnostics: Sepsis diagnostics patent pending|UpToDate: Royalties|Valanbio: Stocks/Bonds.