The type I-E CRISPR-Cas system influences the acquisition of -IncF plasmid in .

carbapenemase (KPC)-producing (KPC-KP) have disseminated worldwide and emerged as major threats to public health. Of epidemiological significance, the international pandemic of KPC-KP is primarily associated with CG258 isolates and -IncF plasmids. CRISPR-Cas system is an adaptive immune system that can hinder gene expansion driven by horizontal gene transfer. Because of -IncF plasmids are favored by CG258 it was of interest to examine the co-distribution of CRISPR and -IncF plasmids in such isolates. We collected 459 clinical in China and collected 203 global whole-genome sequences in GenBank to determine the prevalence of CRISPR-Cas systems. We observed that CRISPR-Cas system was significantly scarce in the CG258 lineage and -positive isolates. Furthermore, the results of conjugation and plasmid stability assay fully demonstrated the CRIPSR-Cas system in could effectively hindered -IncF plasmids invasion and existence. Notably, most -IncF plasmids were also proved to be good targets of CRISPR owing to carry matched and functional protospacers and PAMs. Overall, our work suggests that type I-E CRISPR-Cas systems could impact the spread of in populations, and the scarcity of CRISPR-Cas system was one of potential factors leading to the propagation of -IncF plasmids in CG258 .