Scientists in Lagos, Nigeria, have decoded the genome of a multidrug-resistant, ESBL-producing strain of Klebsiella pneumoniae recovered from Corchorus olitorius, the leafy vegetable locally known as Ewedu, offering a detailed look at the resistance and virulence genes circulating in the food chain.
The strain, designated AA, was isolated from the vegetable using standard microbiological methods. Antibiotic susceptibility testing by disc diffusion showed resistance to eight of the ten antibiotics tested, and the isolate was confirmed as an extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) producer using the double-disc diffusion method.
Whole-genome sequencing was performed on the PacBio Onso platform.
Genotyping placed strain AA in sequence type 36 and sublineage 268.
Plasmid analysis detected two plasmid replicon types: one showing 98.93 percent homology to IncFIB(K)-1 and another showing 91.60 percent homology to Col(pHAD28).
The resistome search identified two notable resistance determinants. The genome harbours blaSHV-13, a β-lactamase gene that mediates resistance to β-lactam antibiotics, and fosA4, which confers resistance to fosfomycin.
The study aimed to characterise the strain's mobilome and virulence determinants alongside its resistome, although the reported results focus on the resistance genes and plasmids found. The authors note that several K. pneumoniae strains are emerging as hypervirulent, raising public health concerns.
K. pneumoniae is a recognised pathogen implicated in both hospital-acquired and community-acquired infections.
The researchers caution that close attention should be paid to multidrug-resistant K. pneumoniae strains circulating in the food chain, since their dissemination to humans may result in infections that are difficult to treat. The work, published open access in BMC Genomic Data on 8 August 2026, was led by Grace Bosede Akintunde with colleagues including Felicia Adesina, Abraham Ajayi and Stella Ifeanyi Smith.
As a single-isolate genomic study, the analysis describes one strain from one vegetable sample rather than a survey of contamination levels across Lagos markets.
Subject of Research: Genomic characterisation of an ESBL-producing, multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae strain isolated from irrigated vegetables in Lagos, Nigeria
Article Title: Genomic analysis of ESBL-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae strain AA isolated from irrigated vegetables in Lagos, Nigeria
Article References: Akintunde, G. B., Adesina, F., Ajayi, A., Essiet, U. U., Olumeh, A. E., Olufowobi, O., Onawoga, F., & Smith, S. I. (2026). Genomic analysis of ESBL-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae strain AA isolated from irrigated vegetables in Lagos, Nigeria. BMC Genomic Data. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12863-026-01478-8
Image Credits: AI Generated
DOI: 10.1186/s12863-026-01478-8
Keywords: Klebsiella pneumoniae, ESBL, antimicrobial resistance, whole-genome sequencing, food safety, Nigeria, Lagos, resistome, plasmids, public health, Corchorus olitorius, BMC Genomic Data
News Source: Juliet Wilcox. (October 30, 2026). Genomic Analysis Reveals Drug-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae on Lagos Irrigated Vegetables. Scienmag.
