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523600.9652Genome characterization of a multi-drug resistant Escherichia coli strain, L1PEag1, isolated from commercial cape gooseberry fruits (Physalis peruviana L.). INTRODUCTION: Foodborne infections, which are frequently linked to bacterial contamination, are a serious concern to public health on a global scale. Whether agricultural farming practices help spread genes linked to antibiotic resistance in bacteria associated with humans or animals is a controversial question. METHODS: This study applied a long-read Oxford Nanopore MinION-based sequencing to obtain the complete genome sequence of a multi-drug resistant Escherichia coli strain (L1PEag1), isolated from commercial cape gooseberry fruits (Physalis peruviana L.) in Ecuador. Using different genome analysis tools, the serotype, Multi Locus Sequence Typing (MLST), virulence genes, and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes of the L1PEag1 isolate were determined. Additionally, in vitro assays were performed to demonstrate functional genes. RESULTS: The complete genome sequence of the L1PEag1 isolate was assembled into a circular chromosome of 4825.722 Kbp and one plasmid of 3.561 Kbp. The L1PEag1 isolate belongs to the B2 phylogroup, sequence type ST1170, and O1:H4 serotype based on in silico genome analysis. The genome contains 4,473 genes, 88 tRNA, 8 5S rRNA, 7 16S rRNA, and 7 23S rRNA. The average GC content is 50.58%. The specific annotation consisted of 4,439 and 3,723 genes annotated with KEEG and COG respectively, 3 intact prophage regions, 23 genomic islands (GIs), and 4 insertion sequences (ISs) of the ISAs1 and IS630 families. The L1PEag1 isolate carries 25 virulence genes, and 4 perfect and 51 strict antibiotic resistant gene (ARG) regions based on VirulenceFinder and RGI annotation. Besides, the in vitro antibiotic profile indicated resistance to kanamycin (K30), azithromycin (AZM15), clindamycin (DA2), novobiocin (NV30), amikacin (AMK30), and other antibiotics. The L1PEag1 isolate was predicted as a human pathogen, matching 464 protein families (0.934 likelihood). CONCLUSION: Our work emphasizes the necessity of monitoring environmental antibiotic resistance, particularly in commercial settings to contribute to develop early mitigation techniques for dealing with resistance diffusion.202439104589
537810.9651Genome-Wide Analysis of Staphylococcus aureus Sequence Type 72 Isolates Provides Insights Into Resistance Against Antimicrobial Agents and Virulence Potential. Staphylococcus aureus sequence type 72 (ST72) is a major community-associated (CA) methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) that has rapidly entered the hospital setting in Korea, causing mild superficial skin wounds to severe bloodstream infections. In this study, we sequenced and analyzed the genomes of one methicillin-resistant human isolate and one methicillin-sensitive human isolate of ST72 from Korea, K07-204 and K07-561, respectively. We used a subtractive genomics approach to compare these two isolates to other 27 ST72 isolates to investigate antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and virulence potential. Furthermore, we validated genotypic differences by phenotypic characteristics analysis. Comparative and subtractive genomics analysis revealed that K07-204 contains methicillin (mecA), ampicillin (blaZ), erythromycin (ermC), aminoglycoside (aadD), and tetracycline (tet38, tetracycline efflux pump) resistance genes while K07-561 has ampicillin (blaZ) and tetracycline (tet38) resistance genes. In addition to antibiotics, K07-204 was reported to show resistance to lysostaphin treatment. K07-204 also has additional virulence genes (adsA, aur, hysA, icaABCDR, lip, lukD, sdrC, and sdrE) compared to K07-561, which may explain the differential virulence potential of these human isolates of ST72. Unexpectedly, the virulence potential of K07-561 was higher in an in vivo wax-worm infection model than that of K07-204, putatively due to the presence of a 20-fold higher staphyloxanthin concentration than K07-204. Comprehensive genomic analysis of these two human isolates, with 27 ST72 isolates, and S. aureus USA300 (ST8) suggested that acquisition of both virulence and antibiotics resistance genes by ST72 isolates might have facilitated their adaptation from a community to a hospital setting where the selective pressure imposed by antibiotics selects for more resistant and virulent isolates. Taken together, the results of the current study provide insight into the genotypic and phenotypic features of various ST72 clones across the globe, delivering more options for developing therapeutics and rapid molecular diagnostic tools to detect resistant bacteria.202033552024
521420.9627Comparative genomic analysis of a new tellurite-resistant Psychrobacter strain isolated from the Antarctic Peninsula. The Psychrobacter genus is a cosmopolitan and diverse group of aerobic, cold-adapted, Gram-negative bacteria exhibiting biotechnological potential for low-temperature applications including bioremediation. Here, we present the draft genome sequence of a bacterium from the Psychrobacter genus isolated from a sediment sample from King George Island, Antarctica (3,490,622 bp; 18 scaffolds; G + C = 42.76%). Using phylogenetic analysis, biochemical properties and scanning electron microscopy the bacterium was identified as Psychrobacter glacincola BNF20, making it the first genome sequence reported for this species. P. glacincola BNF20 showed high tellurite (MIC 2.3 mM) and chromate (MIC 6.0 mM) resistance, respectively. Genome-wide nucleotide identity comparisons revealed that P. glacincola BNF20 is highly similar (>90%) to other uncharacterized Psychrobacter spp. such as JCM18903, JCM18902, and P11F6. Bayesian multi-locus phylogenetic analysis showed that P. glacincola BNF20 belongs to a polyphyletic clade with other bacteria isolated from polar regions. A high number of genes related to metal(loid) resistance were found, including tellurite resistance genetic determinants located in two contigs: Contig LIQB01000002.1 exhibited five ter genes, each showing putative promoter sequences (terACDEZ), whereas contig LIQB1000003.2 showed a variant of the terZ gene. Finally, investigating the presence and taxonomic distribution of ter genes in the NCBI's RefSeq bacterial database (5,398 genomes, as January 2017), revealed that 2,623 (48.59%) genomes showed at least one ter gene. At the family level, most (68.7%) genomes harbored one ter gene and 15.6% exhibited five (including P. glacincola BNF20). Overall, our results highlight the diverse nature (genetic and geographic diversity) of the Psychrobacter genus, provide insights into potential mechanisms of metal resistance, and exemplify the benefits of sampling remote locations for prospecting new molecular determinants.201829479501
608330.9611Bioactivity and genome analysis of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens GL18 isolated from the rhizosphere of Kobresia myosuroides in an alpine meadow. The unique eco-environment of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau breeds abundant microbial resources. In this research, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens GL18, isolated from the rhizosphere of Kobresia myosuroides from an alpine meadow, and the antagonistic activity, bacteriostatic hydrolase activity, and low temperature, salt, and drought resistance of it were determined and analysed. The seedlings of Avena sativa were root-irrigated using bacteria suspensions (cell concentration 1 × 10(7) cfu/mL) of GL18, and the growth-promoting effect of GL18 on it was determined under cold, salt and drought stress, respectively. The whole genome of GL18 was sequenced, and its functional genes were analysed. GL18 presented significant antagonistic activity to Fusarium graminearum, Fusarium acuminatum, Fusarium oxysporum and Aspergillus niger (inhibition zone diameter > 17 mm). Transparent zones formed on four hydrolase detection media, indicating that GL18 secreted cellulase, protease, pectinase and β-1,3-glucanase. GL18 tolerated conditions of 10 °C, 11% NaCl and 15% PEG-6000, presenting cold, salt and drought resistance. GL18 improved the cold, salt and drought tolerance of A. sativa and it showed significant growth effects under different stress. The total length of the GL18 genome was 3,915,550 bp, and the number of coding DNA sequence was 3726. Compared with the clusters of orthologous groups of proteins, gene ontology and kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes databases, 3088, 2869 and 2357 functional genes were annotated, respectively. GL18 contained gene clusters related to antibacterial substances, functional genes related to the synthesis of plant growth-promoting substances, and encoding genes related to stress resistance. This study identified an excellent Bacillus strain and provided a theoretical basis for improving stress resistance and promoting the growth of herbages under abiotic stress.202438189906
519340.9610Antibiotic resistance genes prediction via whole genome sequence analysis of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. BACKGROUND: Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (S. maltophilia) is the first dominant ubiquitous bacterial species identified from the genus Stenotrophomonas in 1943 from a human source. S. maltophilia clinical strains are resistance to several therapies, this study is designed to investigate the whole genome sequence and antimicrobial resistance genes prediction in Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (S. maltophilia) SARC-5 and SARC-6 strains, isolated from the nasopharyngeal samples of an immunocompromised patient. METHODS: These bacterial strains were obtained from Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) Hospital, Pakistan. The bacterial genome was sequenced using a whole-genome shotgun via a commercial service that used an NGS (Next Generation Sequencing) technology called as Illumina Hiseq 2000 system for genomic sequencing. Moreover, detailed in-silico analyses were done to predict the presence of antibiotic resistance genes in S. maltophilia. RESULTS: Results showed that S. maltophilia is a rare gram negative, rod-shaped, non sporulating bacteria. The genome assembly results in 24 contigs (>500 bp) having a size of 4668,850 bp with 65.8% GC contents. Phylogenetic analysis showed that SARC-5 and SARC-6 were closely related to S. maltophilia B111, S. maltophilia BAB-5317, S. maltophilia AHL, S. maltophilia BAB-5307, S. maltophilia RD-AZPVI_04, S. maltophilia JFZ2, S. maltophilia RD_MAAMIB_06 and lastly with S. maltophilia sp ROi7. Moreover, the whole genome sequence analysis of both SARC-5 and SARC-6 revealed the presence of four resistance genes adeF, qacG, adeF, and smeR. CONCLUSION: Our study confirmed that S. maltophilia SARC-5 and SARC-6 are one of the leading causes of nosocomial infection which carry multiple antibiotic resistance genes.202438128408
520250.9608Complete genome sequence data of multidrug-resistant Stenotrophomonas sp. strain SXG-1. Objectives A multidrug-resistant bacterium, Stenotrophomonas sp. SXG-1, was isolated from the liver of diseased hybrid sturgeon from Guizhou province, China. Methods Whole-genome sequencing was performed on the Illumina HiSeq 2500-PE125 platform with MPS (massively parallel sequencing) Illumina technology. All good quality paired reads were assembled using the SOAPdenovo into a number of scaffolds. PHI (Pathogen Host Interactions), VFDB (Virulence Factors of Pathogenic Bacteria) and ARDB (Antibiotic Resistance Genes Database) were used to analyses pathogenicity and drug resistance. Results Here we reported the complete genome sequence of Stenotrophomonas sp. SXG-1, which comprised 4534,602bp in 4077 coding sequences (CDS) with a G+C content of 66.42%. The genome contained 4 gene islands, 72 tRNAs and 13 rRNAs. According to the annotation analysis, strain SXG-1 encoded 22 genes related to the multidrug resistance. In addition to 10 genes conferring resistance to antimicrobial drugs of different classes via alternative mechanisms, 12 genes of efflux pumps were presented, 9 of which were reported for the first time in Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. Conclusion This was the first complete genome sequence of Stenotrophomonas sp. isolated from the sturgeon. The complete genome sequence of Stenotrophomonas sp. strain SXG-1 may provide insights into the mechanism of antimicrobial resistance and prevent disease.202032311503
198960.9606Prevalence and characterization of IncQ1α-mediated multi-drug resistance in Proteus mirabilis Isolated from pigs in Kunming, Yunnan, China. BACKGROUND: Proteus mirabilis is a conditionally pathogenic bacterium that is inherently resistant to polymyxin and tigecycline, largely due to antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). These ARGs can be horizontally transferred to other bacteria, raising concerns about the Inc plasmid-mediated ARG transmission from Proteus mirabilis, which poses a serious public health threat. This study aims to investigate the presence of Inc plasmid types in pig-derived Proteus mirabilis in Kunming, Yunnan, China. METHODS: Fecal samples were collected from pig farms across six districts of Kunming (Luquan, Jinning, Yiliang, Anning, Songming, and Xundian) from 2022 to 2023. Proteus mirabilis isolates were identified using IDS and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Then, positive strains underwent antimicrobial susceptibility testing and incompatibility plasmid typing. Multi-drug-resistant isolates with positive incompatibility plasmid genes were selected for whole-genome sequencing. Resistance and Inc group data were then isolated and compared with 126 complete genome sequences from public databases. Whole-genome multi-locus sequence typing, resistance group analysis, genomic island prediction, and plasmid structural gene analysis were performed. RESULTS: A total of 30 isolates were obtained from 230 samples, yielding a prevalence of 13.04%. All isolates exhibited multi-drug resistance, with 100% resistance to cotrimoxazole, erythromycin, penicillin G, chloramphenicol, ampicillin, and streptomycin. Among these, 15 isolates tested positive for the IncQ1α plasmid repC gene. The two most multi-drug-resistant and repC-positive strains, NO. 15 and 21, were sequenced to compare genomic features on Inc groups and ARGs with public data. Genome analysis revealed that the repC gene was primarily associated with IncQ1α, with structural genes from other F-type plasmids (TraV, TraU, TraN, TraL, TraK, TraI, TraH, TraG, TraF, TraE/GumN, and TraA) also present. Strain NO. 15 carried 33 ARGs, and strain NO. 21 carried 38 ARGs, conferring resistance to tetracyclines, fluoroquinolones, aminoglycosides, sulfonamides, peptides, chloramphenicol, cephalosporins, lincomycins, macrolides, and 2-aminopyrimidines. CONCLUSION: The repC gene is primarily associated with IncQ1α, with structural genes from other F-type plasmids. A comparison with 126 public genome datasets confirmed this association.202439850143
518570.9604Genomic characterisation of nasal isolates of coagulase-negative Staphylococci from healthy medical students reveals novel Staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec elements. Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) are a diverse group of Gram-positive bacteria that are part of the normal human microbiota. Once thought to be non-pathogenic, CoNS has emerged in recent years as opportunistic pathogens of concern particularly in healthcare settings. In this study, the genomes of four methicillin-resistant CoNS isolates obtained from the nasal swabs of healthy university medical students in Malaysia were sequenced using the Illumina short-read platform. Genome sequencing enabled the identification of the four isolates as Staphylococcus warneri UTAR-CoNS1, Staphylococcus cohnii subsp. cohnii UTAR-CoNS6, Staphylococcus capitis subsp. urealyticus UTAR-CoNS20, and Staphylococcus haemolyticus UTAR-CoNS26. The genome of S. cohnnii UTAR-CoNS6 harboured the mecA methicillin-resistance gene on a Staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) element similar to SCCmec type XIV (5 A) but the SCCmec cassettes identified in the other three CoNS genomes were novel and untypeable. Some of these SCCmec elements also encoded heavy metal resistance genes while the SCCmec type XIV (5 A) variant in S. cohnii UTAR-CoNS6 harboured the complete ica operon, a known virulence factor that functions in biofilm formation. In S. cohnii UTAR-CoNS6, the macrolide resistance genes msrA and mphC along with copper and cadmium resistance genes were located on a 26,630 bp plasmid, pUCNS6. This study showcased the diversity of CoNS in the nasal microbiota of medical students but the discovery of novel SCCmec elements, various antimicrobial and heavy metal resistance along with virulence genes in these isolates is of concern and warrants vigilance due to the likelihood of spread, especially to hospitalised patients.202540595841
517180.9604Adaptive laboratory-evolved MRSA with PPEF manifests cross-susceptibility to oxacillin and hypersensitivity to ciprofloxacin. Emerging resistance to current antibiotics is a global threat to human health. Therefore, comprehending the mechanism behind antibiotic resistance holds paramount importance. In the pursuit of finding new antibacterial agents, our group has developed a small molecule, PPEF (2'-(4-ethoxyphenyl)-5-(4-propylpiperazin-1-yl)-1H,1'H-2,5'-bibenzo(d)imidazole), having bisbenzimidazole as a pharmacophore, targeting bacterial type IA topoisomerase, a novel drug target in bacteria. We examined the emergence of mutations leading to PPEF resistance in laboratory-evolved Staphylococcus aureus strains. The growth curve revealed that S. aureus 25923 PPEF-resistant (SA-PR) and methicillin-resistant S. aureus 43300 PPEF-resistant (MRSA-PR) attained stationary phase earlier than their respective reference strains. RNA sequencing analysis revealed that atpD (ATP synthase gene) was downregulated by 2 log(2)-fold in both SA-PR and MRSA-PR strains, whereas there was 10 to 13 log(2)-fold downregulation of mecR1 (methicillin resistance-inducing gene), ble (bleomycin resistance-inducing gene), blaZ (beta-lactamase), pbp (penicillin-binding protein gene), ermA (rRNA adenine methyltransferase gene), and kdpB (potassium-transporting ATPase) in the MRSA-PR strain. Quantitative reverse-transcriptase PCR data confirmed these results. Additionally, MRSA-PR showed a 5 log(2)-fold upregulation of comG and a 9 log(2)-fold downregulation of topB, indicating increased genomic variability and stress adaptation contributing to resistance. Genomic sequencing revealed deletions of resistance genes, including aac(6')-aph(2''), aadD, mecA, and blaZ in MRSA-PR, resulting in a gain in resistance and a diminishing returns epistasis pattern in PPEF-evolved S. aureus strains. This led to the development of an evolved MRSA-PR strain susceptible to oxacillin, ciprofloxacin, gentamicin, and imipenem. Our findings indicate that adaptation to PPEF has increased antibiotic susceptibility, thereby changing the clinical outcomes of infections.IMPORTANCEThis study investigates how Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strain, develop resistance to a new candidate antibacterial compound, PPEF (2'-(4-ethoxyphenyl)-5-(4-propylpiperazin-1-yl)-1H,1'H-2,5'-bibenzo(d)imidazole). The research found that resistant strains grew slower and showed significant changes in the activity of genes related to antibiotic resistance. Some resistance genes were deleted in the resistant MRSA strain, making it more sensitive to other antibiotics like oxacillin and ciprofloxacin. These findings highlight how resistance to PPEF leads to increased sensitivity to conventional antibiotics. This suggests that developing combination therapies of PPEF with other antibiotics could optimize treatment regimens and slow resistance evolution. This study also indicates that the antibiotic regimens could be designed to force resistant bacteria into evolutionary trade-offs, where they lose resistance to widely used antibiotics while gaining resistance to a new compound like PPEF.202540662666
608790.9604Draft genome of Raoultella planticola, a high lead resistance bacterium from industrial wastewater. Isolation of heavy metals-resistant bacteria from their original habitat is a crucial step in bioremediation. Six lead (Pb) resistant bacterial strains were isolated and identified utilizing 16S rRNA to be Enterobacter ludwigii FACU 4, Shigella flexneri FACU, Microbacterium paraoxydans FACU, Klebsiella pneumoniae subsp. pneumonia FACU, Raoultella planticola FACU 3 and Staphylococcus xylosus FACU. It was determined that all these strains had their Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) to be 2500 ppm except R. planticola FACU 3 has a higher maximum tolerance concentration (MTC) up to 2700 ppm. We evaluated the survival of all six strains on lead stress, the efficiency of biosorption and lead uptake. It was found that R. planticola FACU 3 is the highest MTC and S. xylosus FACU was the lowest MTC in this evaluation. Therefore, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) confirmed the difference between the morphological responses of these two strains to lead stress. These findings led to explore more about the genome of R. planticola FACU 3 using illumine Miseq technology. Draft genome sequence analysis revealed the genome size of 5,648,460 bp and G + C content 55.8% and identified 5526 CDS, 75 tRNA and 4 rRNA. Sequencing technology facilitated the identification of about 47 genes related to resistance to many heavy metals including lead, arsenic, zinc, mercury, nickel, silver and chromium of R. planticola FACU 3 strain. Moreover, genome sequencing identified plant growth-promoting genes (PGPGs) including indole acetic acid (IAA) production, phosphate solubilization, phenazine production, trehalose metabolism and 4-hydroxybenzoate production genes and a lot of antibiotic-resistant genes.202336715862
2606100.9603Pathogenic multiple antimicrobial resistant Escherichia coli serotypes in recreational waters of Mumbai, India: a potential public health risk. Globally, coastal waters have emerged into a pool of antibiotic resistance genes and multiple antibiotic resistant microorganisms, and pathogenicity of these resistant microorganisms in terms of serotypes and virulence genes has made the environment vulnerable. The current study underscores the presence of multiple antibiotic resistant pathogenic serotypes and pathotypes of Escherichia coli, the predominant faecal indicator bacteria (FIB), in surface water and sediment samples of famous recreational beaches (Juhu, Versova, Mahim, Dadar, and Girgaon) of Mumbai. Out of 65 faecal coliforms (FC) randomly selected, 38 isolates were biochemically characterized, serotyped (for 'O' antigen), antibiogram-phenotyped (for 22 antimicrobial agents), and genotyped by polymerase chain reaction (for virulence factors). These isolates belonged to 16 different serotypes (UT, O141, O2, O119, O120, O9, O35, O126, O91, O128, O87, O86, R, O101, O118, and O15) out of which UT (18.4%), O141 (15.7%), and O2 (13.1%) were predominant, indicating its remarkable diversity. Furthermore, the generated antibiogram profile revealed that 95% of these isolates were multiple antibiotic resistant. More than 60% of aminoglycoside-sensitive E. coli isolates exhibited resistance to penicillin, extended penicillin, quinolone, and cephalosporin classes of antibiotic while resistance to other antibiotics was comparatively less. Antibiotic resistance (AR) indexing indicated that these isolates may have rooted from a high-risk source of contamination. Preliminary findings revealed the presence of enterotoxin-encoding genes (stx1 and stx2 specific for enterohaemorrhagic E. coli and Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, heat-stable toxin enterotoxin specific for enterotoxigenic E. coli) in pathogenic serotypes. Thus, government authorities and environmental planners should create public awareness and adopt effective measures for coastal management to prevent serious health risks associated with these contaminated coastal waters.201728316051
5237110.9602Phenotypic and genomic analysis of Enterococcus avium MC09 pathogenicity isolated from Scylla spp. (mud crab) in a Thai market. Enterococcus avium is a Gram-positive pathogenic bacterium classified under the Enterococcaceae family. E. avium has been isolated from diverse environmental sources, raising concerns about its potential role in the spread of antibiotic resistance. E. avium MC09, isolated from a mud crab in a Thai market, was analyzed for its antibiotic resistance and pathogenic potential in this study. The isolation of E. avium from mud crab is significant as it highlights the potential role of seafood as a reservoir for antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which may pose risks to public health throughout the food chain. Antibiotic susceptibility testing using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method revealed that E. avium MC09 is resistant to clindamycin, erythromycin, streptomycin, and tetracycline, and exhibits alpha hemolysis on blood agar, indicating its potential virulence. Genomic DNA was extracted and sequenced using the Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) platform, revealing the presence of resistance genes for macrolides (ermB) and tetracyclines (tetL and tetM). Furthermore, several virulence-associated genes were detected, such as srtC, ecbA, efaA, dltA, cpsA/uppS, cpsB/cdsA, cylR2, icps4I, cpsY, epsE, vctC, mgtB, ndk, lisR, and lgt suggesting a pathogenic potential. Additionally, the study identified several insertion sequences (ISs), including (IS1216, IS1216E, IS1216V, IS6770, ISEfa7, ISEfa8, and ISS1W which are commonly found in pathogenic Enterococcus strains. The presence of these IS elements further emphasizes the strain's potential for virulence and genetic adaptability. This study provides comprehensive insights into both the phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of E. avium MC09, highlighting its antimicrobial resistance and pathogenic mechanisms, and underlines the importance of monitoring antibiotic resistance in seafood-associated bacteria.202540015576
5385120.9602Environmental heterogeneity of Staphylococcus species from alkaline fermented foods and associated toxins and antimicrobial resistance genetic elements. Different samples of three products including Bikalga and Soumbala from Burkina Faso (West Africa) and Ntoba Mbodi from Congo-Brazzaville (Central Africa) were evaluated. The bacteria (400) were phenotyped and genotypically characterized by Rep-PCR, PFGE, 16S rRNA and rpoB gene sequencing and spa typing. Their PFGE profiles were compared with those of 12,000 isolates in the Center for Disease Control (CDC, USA) database. They were screened for the production of enterotoxins, susceptibility to 19 antimicrobials, presence of 12 staphylococcal toxin and 38 AMR genes and the ability to transfer erythromycin and tetracycline resistance genes to Enterococcus faecalis JH2-2. Fifteen coagulase negative (CoNS) and positive (CoPS) species characterized by 25 Rep-PCR/PFGE clusters were identified: Staphylococcus arlettae, S. aureus, S. cohnii, S. epidermidis, S. gallinarum, S. haemolyticus, S. hominis, S. pasteuri, S. condimenti, S. piscifermentans, S. saprophyticus, S. sciuri, S. simulans, S. warneri and Macrococcus caseolyticus. Five species were specific to Soumbala, four to Bikalga and four to Ntoba Mbodi. Two clusters of S. gallinarum and three of S. sciuri were particular to Burkina Faso. The S. aureus isolates exhibited a spa type t355 and their PFGE profiles did not match any in the CDC database. Bacteria from the same cluster displayed similar AMR and toxin phenotypes and genotypes, whereas clusters peculiar to a product or a location generated distinct profiles. The toxin genes screened were not detected and the bacteria did not produce the staphylococcal enterotoxins A, B, C and D. AMR genes including blazA, cat501, dfr(A), dfr(G), mecA, mecA1, msr(A) and tet(K) were identified in CoNS and CoPS. Conjugation experiments produced JH2-2 isolates that acquired resistance to erythromycin and tetracycline, but no gene transfer was revealed by PCR. The investigation of the heterogeneity of Staphylococcus species from alkaline fermented foods, their relationship with clinical and environmental isolates and their safety in relation to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and toxin production is anticipated to contribute to determining the importance of staphylococci in alkaline fermented foods, especially in relation to the safety of the consumers.201931670141
1261130.9600Antibiotic Resistance Genes, Virulence Factors, and Biofilm Formation in Coagulase-Negative Staphylococcus spp. Isolates from European Hakes (Merluccius merluccius, L.) Caught in the Northeast Atlantic Ocean. The indiscriminate use of antibiotics has contributed to the dissemination of multiresistant bacteria, which represents a public health concern. The aim of this work was to characterize 27 coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) isolated from eight wild Northeast Atlantic hakes (Merluccius merluccius, L.) and taxonomically identified as Staphylococcus epidermidis (n = 16), Staphylococcus saprophyticus (n = 4), Staphylococcus hominis (n = 3), Staphylococcus pasteuri (n = 2), Staphylococcus edaphicus (n = 1), and Staphylococcus capitis (n = 1). Biofilm formation was evaluated with a microtiter assay, antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed using the disk diffusion method, and antibiotic resistance and virulence determinants were detected by PCR. Our results showed that all staphylococci produced biofilms and that 92.6% of the isolates were resistant to at least one antibiotic, mainly penicillin (88.8%), fusidic acid (40.7%), and erythromycin (37%). The penicillin resistance gene (blaZ) was detected in 66.6% (18) of the isolates, of which 10 also carried resistance genes to macrolides and lincosamides (mphC, msr(A/B), lnuA, or vgaA), 4 to fusidic acid (fusB), and 3 to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (dfrA). At least one virulence gene (scn, hla, SCCmecIII, and/or SCCmecV) was detected in 48% of the isolates. This study suggests that wild European hake destined for human consumption could act as a vector of CoNS carrying antibiotic resistance genes and/or virulence factors.202338133330
5235140.9600Draft genome sequences of rare Lelliottia nimipressuralis strain MEZLN61 and two Enterobacter kobei strains MEZEK193 and MEZEK194 carrying mobile colistin resistance gene mcr-9 isolated from wastewater in South Africa. OBJECTIVES: Antimicrobial-resistant bacteria of the order Enterobacterales are emerging threats to global public and animal health, leading to morbidity and mortality. The emergence of antimicrobial-resistant, livestock-associated pathogens is a great public health concern. The genera Enterobacter and Lelliottia are ubiquitous, facultatively anaerobic, motile, non-spore-forming, rod-shaped Gram-negative bacteria belonging to the Enterobacteriaceae family and include pathogens of public health importance. Here, we report the first draft genome sequences of a rare Lelliottia nimipressuralis strain MEZLN61 and two Enterobacter kobei strains MEZEK193 and MEZEK194 in Africa. METHODS: The bacteria were isolated from environmental wastewater samples. Bacteria were cultured on nutrient agar, and the pure cultures were subjected to whole-genome sequencing. Genomic DNA was sequenced using an Illumina MiSeq platform. Generated reads were trimmed and subjected to de novo assembly. The assembled contigs were analysed for virulence genes, antimicrobial resistance genes, and extra-chromosomal plasmids, and multilocus sequence typing was performed. To compare the sequenced strains with other, previously sequenced E. kobei and L. nimipressuralis strains, available raw read sequences were downloaded, and all sequence files were treated identically to generate core genome bootstrapped maximum likelihood phylogenetic trees. RESULTS: Whole-genome sequencing analyses identified strain MEZLN61 as L. nimipressuralis and strains MEZEK193 and MEZEK194 as E. kobei. MEZEK193 and MEZEK194 carried genes encoding resistance to fosfomycin (fosA), beta-lactam antibiotics (bla(ACT-9)), and colistin (mcr-9). Additionally, MEZEK193 harboured nine different virulence genes, while MEZEK194 harboured eleven different virulence genes. The phenotypic analysis showed that L. nimipressuralis strain MEZLN61 was susceptible to colistin (2 μg/mL), while E. kobei MEZEK193 (64 μg/mL) and MEZEK194 (32 μg/mL) were resistant to colistin. CONCLUSION: The genome sequences of strains L. nimipressuralis MEZLN6, E. kobei MEZEK193, and E. kobei MEZEK194 will serve as a reference point for molecular epidemiological studies of L. nimipressuralis and E. kobei in Africa. In addition, this study provides an in-depth analysis of the genomic structure and offers important information that helps clarify the pathogenesis and antimicrobial resistance of L. nimipressuralis and E. kobei. The detection of mcr-9, which is associated with very low-level colistin resistance in Enterobacter species, is alarming and may indicate the undetected dissemination of mcr genes in bacteria of the order Enterobacterales. Continuous monitoring and surveillance of the prevalence of mcr genes and their associated phenotypic changes in clinically important pathogens and environmentally associated bacteria is necessary to control and prevent the spread of colistin resistance.202336948496
1333150.9600Virulence-encoding genes related to extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli and multidrug resistant pattern of strains isolated from neonatal calves with different severity scores of umbilical infections. Umbilical infections in calves comprise a major cause of neonatal mortality and have been related to a variety of microorganisms. E. coli is an opportunistic enteropathogen characterized by a diversity of virulence factors (VF). Nonetheless, the gene profiles that encode VF associated with umbilical infections in calves and their effect on the clinical severity remains unclear. In this scenario, microbial identification (with an emphasis on E. coli), was carried out among 150 neonatal calves (≤30 days of age) with umbilical infections, where the omphalopathies were clinically scored as mild, moderate, or severe. Also, a panel of 16 virulence-encoding genes related to extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC) were investigated, i.e., fimbriae/adhesins (sfa/focDEa, papA, papC, afaBC), toxins (hlyA, sat, cnf1, cdt), siderophores (iroN, irp2, iucD, ireA), invasins (ibeA), and serum resistance (ompT, traT, kpsMT II). Bacteria and yeasts isolates were identified using mass spectrometry. Bacteria, yeasts, and fungi were isolated in 94.7% (142/150) of neonatal calves sampled. E. coli was the agent most frequently isolated (59/150 = 39.3%), in pure culture (27/59 = 45.8%) and combined infections (32/59 = 54.2%), although a great variety (n = 83) of other species of microorganisms were identified. Clinical severity scores of 1, 2, and 3 were observed in 32.2% (19/59), 23.7% (14/59), and 44.1% (26/59) of E. coli infections, respectively. The ExPEC genes detected were related to serum resistance (traT, 42/59 = 72.2%; ompT, 35/59 = 59.3%, kpsMTII, 10/59 = 17%), invasins (ibeA, 11/59 = 18.6%), siderophores (iucD, 9/59 = 15.3%; iroN, 8/59 = 13.6%), and adhesins/fimbriae (papA, 8/59 = 13.6%; papC, 15/59 = 9.6%). The presence of each virulence gene was not associated with the case's clinical score. Among all isolates, 89.8% (53/59) showed in vitro resistance to sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim and 59.3% to ampicillin (35/59), while 94.1% (55/59) revealed a multidrug resistant profile. Great complexity of bacteria, yeast, and fungi species was identified, reinforcing the umbilical infections of neonatal calves as a polymicrobial disorder. The high occurrence of E. coli (39.3%) highlights the role of this pathogen in the etiology of umbilical infections in calves. Furthermore, a panel of ExPEC genes was investigated for the first time among calves that were clinically scored for case severity. The high prevalence of traT and ompT indicates that these serum resistance-related genes could be used as biomarkers for further investigations of ExPEC isolates from umbilical infections. Our results contribute to the etiological investigation, clinical severity scoring, antimicrobial resistance pattern, and virulence-related to ExPEC genes involved in umbilical infections of neonatal calves.202336427660
1345160.9599Toxigenic potential and antimicrobial susceptibility of Bacillus cereus group bacteria isolated from Tunisian foodstuffs. BACKGROUND: Despite the importance of the B. cereus group as major foodborne pathogens that may cause diarrheal and/or emetic syndrome(s), no study in Tunisia has been conducted in order to characterize the pathogenic potential of the B. cereus group. The aim of this study was to assess the sanitary potential risks of 174 B. cereus group strains isolated from different foodstuffs by detecting and profiling virulence genes (hblA, hblB, hblC, hblD, nheA, nheB, nheC, cytK, bceT and ces), testing the isolates cytotoxic activity on Caco-2 cells and antimicrobial susceptibility towards 11 antibiotics. RESULTS: The entertoxin genes detected among B. cereus isolates were, in decreasing order, nheA (98.9%), nheC (97.7%) and nheB (86.8%) versus hblC (54.6%), hblD (54.6%), hblA (29.9%) and hblB (14.9%), respectively encoding for Non-hemolytic enterotoxin (NHE) and Hemolysin BL (HBL). The isolates are multi-toxigenic, harbouring at least one gene of each NHE and HBL complexes associated or not to bceT, cytK-2 and ces genes. Based on the incidence of virulence genes, the strains were separated into 12 toxigenic groups. Isolates positive for cytK (37,9%) harbored the cytK-2 variant. The detection rates of bceT and ces genes were 50.6 and 4%, respectively. When bacteria were incubated in BHI-YE at 30 °C for 18 h and for 5 d, 70.7 and 35% of the strains were shown to be cytotoxic to Caco-2 cells, respectively. The cytotoxicity of B. cereus strains depended on the food source of isolation. The presence of virulence factors is not always consistent with cytotoxicity. However, different combinations of enterotoxin genetic determinants are significantly associated to the cytotoxic potential of the bacteria. All strains were fully sensitive to rifampicin, chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin, and gentamycin. The majority of the isolates were susceptible to streptomycin, kanamycin, erythromycin, vancomycin and tetracycline but showed resistance to ampicillin and novobiocin. CONCLUSION: Our results contribute data that are primary to facilitate risk assessments in order to prevent food poisoning due to B. cereus group.201931445510
8439170.9599Comparative genomics analysis and virulence-related factors in novel Aliarcobacter faecis and Aliarcobacter lanthieri species identified as potential opportunistic pathogens. BACKGROUND: Emerging pathogenic bacteria are an increasing threat to public health. Two recently described species of the genus Aliarcobacter, A. faecis and A. lanthieri, isolated from human or livestock feces, are closely related to Aliarcobacter zoonotic pathogens (A. cryaerophilus, A. skirrowii, and A. butzleri). In this study, comparative genomics analysis was carried out to examine the virulence-related, including virulence, antibiotic, and toxin (VAT) factors in the reference strains of A. faecis and A. lanthieri that may enable them to become potentially opportunistic zoonotic pathogens. RESULTS: Our results showed that the genomes of the reference strains of both species have flagella genes (flaA, flaB, flgG, flhA, flhB, fliI, fliP, motA and cheY1) as motility and export apparatus, as well as genes encoding the Twin-arginine translocation (Tat) (tatA, tatB and tatC), type II (pulE and pulF) and III (fliF, fliN and ylqH) secretory pathways, allowing them to secrete proteins into the periplasm and host cells. Invasion and immune evasion genes (ciaB, iamA, mviN, pldA, irgA and fur2) are found in both species, while adherence genes (cadF and cj1349) are only found in A. lanthieri. Acid (clpB), heat (clpA and clpB), osmotic (mviN), and low-iron (irgA and fur2) stress resistance genes were observed in both species, although urease genes were not found in them. In addition, arcB, gyrA and gyrB were found in both species, mutations of which may mediate the resistance to quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs). Furthermore, 11 VAT genes including six virulence (cadF, ciaB, irgA, mviN, pldA, and tlyA), two antibiotic resistance [tet(O) and tet(W)] and three cytolethal distending toxin (cdtA, cdtB, and cdtC) genes were validated with the PCR assays. A. lanthieri tested positive for all 11 VAT genes. By contrast, A. faecis showed positive for ten genes except for cdtB because no PCR assay for this gene was available for this species. CONCLUSIONS: The identification of the virulence, antibiotic-resistance, and toxin genes in the genomes of A. faecis and A. lanthieri reference strains through comparative genomics analysis and PCR assays highlighted the potential zoonotic pathogenicity of these two species. However, it is necessary to extend this study to include more clinical and environmental strains to explore inter-species and strain-level genetic variations in virulence-related genes and assess their potential to be opportunistic pathogens for animals and humans.202235761183
2269180.9598Genomic detection of Panton-Valentine Leucocidins encoding genes, virulence factors and distribution of antiseptic resistance determinants among Methicillin-resistant S. aureus isolates from patients attending regional referral hospitals in Tanzania. BACKGROUND: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a formidable public scourge causing worldwide mild to severe life-threatening infections. The ability of this strain to swiftly spread, evolve, and acquire resistance genes and virulence factors such as pvl genes has further rendered this strain difficult to treat. Of concern, is a recently recognized ability to resist antiseptic/disinfectant agents used as an essential part of treatment and infection control practices. This study aimed at detecting the presence of pvl genes and determining the distribution of antiseptic resistance genes in Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates through whole genome sequencing technology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted across six regional referral hospitals-Dodoma, Songea, Kitete-Kigoma, Morogoro, and Tabora on the mainland, and Mnazi Mmoja from Zanzibar islands counterparts using the archived isolates of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. The isolates were collected from Inpatients and Outpatients who attended these hospitals from January 2020 to Dec 2021. Bacterial analysis was carried out using classical microbiological techniques and whole genome sequencing (WGS) using the Illumina Nextseq 550 sequencer platform. Several bioinformatic tools were used, KmerFinder 3.2 was used for species identification, MLST 2.0 tool was used for Multilocus Sequence Typing and SCCmecFinder 1.2 was used for SCCmec typing. Virulence genes were detected using virulenceFinder 2.0, while resistance genes were detected by ResFinder 4.1, and phylogenetic relatedness was determined by CSI Phylogeny 1.4 tools. RESULTS: Out of the 80 MRSA isolates analyzed, 11 (14%) were found to harbor LukS-PV and LukF-PV, pvl-encoding genes in their genome; therefore pvl-positive MRSA. The majority (82%) of the MRSA isolates bearing pvl genes were also found to exhibit the antiseptic/disinfectant genes in their genome. Moreover, all (80) sequenced MRSA isolates were found to harbor SCCmec type IV subtype 2B&5. The isolates exhibited 4 different sequence types, ST8, ST88, ST789 and ST121. Notably, the predominant sequence type among the isolates was ST8 72 (90%). CONCLUSION: The notably high rate of antiseptic resistance particularly in the Methicillin-resistant S. aureus strains poses a significant challenge to infection control measures. The fact that some of these virulent strains harbor the LukS-PV and LukF-PV, the pvl encoding genes, highlight the importance of developing effective interventions to combat the spreading of these pathogenic bacterial strains. Certainly, strengthening antimicrobial resistance surveillance and stewardship will ultimately reduce the selection pressure, improve the patient's treatment outcome and public health in Tanzania.202539833938
1255190.9598Emergence of quinupristin/dalfopristin resistance among livestock-associated Staphylococcus aureus ST9 clinical isolates. Quinupristin/dalfopristin (Q/D) is a valuable alternative to vancomycin for the treatment of meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections. However, not long after Q/D was approved, bacteria with resistance to this newer antimicrobial agent were reported. To investigate the prevalence of Q/D resistance, a total of 1476 non-duplicate S. aureus isolates, including 775 MRSA, from a Chinese tertiary hospital were selected randomly from 2003 to 2013. Of the 775 MRSA, 3 (0.4%) were resistant to Q/D. All meticillin-susceptible S. aureus were susceptible to Q/D. The prevalence of Q/D resistance among S. aureus was 0.2% (3/1476). The three isolates with Q/D resistance had the same antimicrobial resistance profile, except for cefaclor and chloramphenicol. All three Q/D-resistant MRSA were positive for five streptogramin B resistance genes (ermA, ermB, ermC, msrA and msrB) and two streptogramin A resistance genes (vatC and vgaA) as determined by PCR and DNA sequencing. MRSA WZ1031 belonged to ST9-MRSA-SCCmecV-t899, whilst MRSA WZ414 and WZ480 belonged to ST9-MRSA-SCCmecNT(non-typeable)-t899. ST9 has been reported predominantly in livestock-associated (LA) MRSA in some Asian countries. The three patients with these MRSA isolates were not livestock handlers and did not keep close contact with livestock. The origin of these important LA-MRSA isolates causing human infections is not known. Taken together, Q/D resistance, which was caused by a combination of ermA-ermB-ermC-msrA-msrB-vatC-vgaA, was first found among S. aureus clinical isolates in China. The present study is the first report of the emergence of human infections caused by ST9 LA-MRSA isolates with Q/D resistance.201425218154