Emergence and Genomic Characterization of a Hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae Isolate From a New Clone in Brazil.

Hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae (hvKp) has emerged globally as a major public health concern, often associated with severe community-acquired and healthcare-associated human infections. Despite alerts from PAHO/WHO on convergent hvKp strains with multidrug resistance in Latin America, comprehensive data from Brazil, the region's largest country, remain lacking. We performed a retrospective and prospective large-scale surveillance of clinical, veterinary, and community isolates to identify hypervirulent and resistant K. pneumoniae. Among 1,008 isolates screened, one strain (ID_074_25) met hvKp criteria, displaying key virulence loci. Whole-genome sequencing confirmed its genomic features, including a novel sequence type and a novel cluster in NCBI Pathogen Detection tool. This study underscores the need for national surveillance and capacity-building in reference laboratories.