scholarly journals Staphylococcus edaphicus sp. nov., Isolated in Antarctica, Harbors the mecC Gene and Genomic Islands with a Suspected Role in Adaptation to Extreme Environments

2017 ◽  
Vol 84 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Roman Pantůček ◽  
Ivo Sedláček ◽  
Adéla Indráková ◽  
Veronika Vrbovská ◽  
Ivana Mašlaňová ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Two Gram-stain-positive, coagulase-negative staphylococcal strains were isolated from abiotic sources comprising stone fragments and sandy soil in James Ross Island, Antarctica. Here, we describe properties of a novel species of the genus Staphylococcus that has a 16S rRNA gene sequence nearly identical to that of Staphylococcus saprophyticus. However, compared to S. saprophyticus and the next closest relatives, the new species demonstrates considerable phylogenetic distance at the whole-genome level, with an average nucleotide identity of <85% and inferred DNA-DNA hybridization of <30%. It forms a separate branch in the S. saprophyticus phylogenetic clade as confirmed by multilocus sequence analysis of six housekeeping genes, rpoB, hsp60, tuf, dnaJ, gap, and sod. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) and key biochemical characteristics allowed these bacteria to be distinguished from their nearest phylogenetic neighbors. In contrast to S. saprophyticus subsp. saprophyticus, the novel strains are pyrrolidonyl arylamidase and β-glucuronidase positive and β-galactosidase negative, nitrate is reduced, and acid produced aerobically from d-mannose. Whole-genome sequencing of the 2.69-Mb large chromosome revealed the presence of a number of mobile genetic elements, including the 27-kb pseudo-staphylococcus cassette chromosome mec of strain P5085T (ψSCCmec P5085), harboring the mecC gene, two composite phage-inducible chromosomal islands probably essential to adaptation to extreme environments, and one complete and one defective prophage. Both strains are resistant to penicillin G, ampicillin, ceftazidime, methicillin, cefoxitin, and fosfomycin. We hypothesize that antibiotic resistance might represent an evolutionary advantage against beta-lactam producers, which are common in a polar environment. Based on these results, a novel species of the genus Staphylococcus is described and named Staphylococcus edaphicus sp. nov. The type strain is P5085T (= CCM 8730T = DSM 104441T). IMPORTANCE The description of Staphylococcus edaphicus sp. nov. enables the comparison of multidrug-resistant staphylococci from human and veterinary sources evolved in the globalized world to their geographically distant relative from the extreme Antarctic environment. Although this new species was not exposed to the pressure of antibiotic treatment in human or veterinary practice, mobile genetic elements carrying antimicrobial resistance genes were found in the genome. The genomic characteristics presented here elucidate the evolutionary relationships in the Staphylococcus genus with a special focus on antimicrobial resistance, pathogenicity, and survival traits. Genes encoded on mobile genetic elements were arranged in unique combinations but retained conserved locations for the integration of mobile genetic elements. These findings point to enormous plasticity of the staphylococcal pangenome, shaped by horizontal gene transfer. Thus, S. edaphicus can act not only as a reservoir of antibiotic resistance in a natural environment but also as a mediator for the spread and evolution of resistance genes.

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pimlapas Leekitcharoenphon ◽  
Markus Hans Kristofer Johansson ◽  
Patrick Munk ◽  
Burkhard Malorny ◽  
Magdalena Skarżyńska ◽  
...  

AbstractThe emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the biggest health threats globally. In addition, the use of antimicrobial drugs in humans and livestock is considered an important driver of antimicrobial resistance. The commensal microbiota, and especially the intestinal microbiota, has been shown to have an important role in the emergence of AMR. Mobile genetic elements (MGEs) also play a central role in facilitating the acquisition and spread of AMR genes. We isolated Escherichia coli (n = 627) from fecal samples in respectively 25 poultry, 28 swine, and 15 veal calf herds from 6 European countries to investigate the phylogeny of E. coli at country, animal host and farm levels. Furthermore, we examine the evolution of AMR in E. coli genomes including an association with virulence genes, plasmids and MGEs. We compared the abundance metrics retrieved from metagenomic sequencing and whole genome sequenced of E. coli isolates from the same fecal samples and farms. The E. coli isolates in this study indicated no clonality or clustering based on country of origin and genetic markers; AMR, and MGEs. Nonetheless, mobile genetic elements play a role in the acquisition of AMR and virulence genes. Additionally, an abundance of AMR was agreeable between metagenomic and whole genome sequencing analysis for several AMR classes in poultry fecal samples suggesting that metagenomics could be used as an indicator for surveillance of AMR in E. coli isolates and vice versa.


2011 ◽  
Vol 55 (9) ◽  
pp. 4267-4276 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vinod Kumar ◽  
Peng Sun ◽  
Jessica Vamathevan ◽  
Yong Li ◽  
Karen Ingraham ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTThere is a global emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains ofKlebsiella pneumoniae, a Gram-negative enteric bacterium that causes nosocomial and urinary tract infections. While the epidemiology ofK. pneumoniaestrains and occurrences of specific antibiotic resistance genes, such as plasmid-borne extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs), have been extensively studied, only four complete genomes ofK. pneumoniaeare available. To better understand the multidrug resistance factors inK. pneumoniae, we determined by pyrosequencing the nearly complete genome DNA sequences of two strains with disparate antibiotic resistance profiles, broadly drug-susceptible strain JH1 and strain 1162281, which is resistant to multiple clinically used antibiotics, including extended-spectrum β-lactams, fluoroquinolones, aminoglycosides, trimethoprim, and sulfamethoxazoles. Comparative genomic analysis of JH1, 1162281, and other publishedK. pneumoniaegenomes revealed a core set of 3,631 conserved orthologous proteins, which were used for reconstruction of whole-genome phylogenetic trees. The close evolutionary relationship between JH1 and 1162281 relative to otherK. pneumoniaestrains suggests that a large component of the genetic and phenotypic diversity of clinical isolates is due to horizontal gene transfer. Using curated lists of over 400 antibiotic resistance genes, we identified all of the elements that differentiated the antibiotic profile of MDR strain 1162281 from that of susceptible strain JH1, such as the presence of additional efflux pumps, ESBLs, and multiple mechanisms of fluoroquinolone resistance. Our study adds new and significant DNA sequence data onK. pneumoniaestrains and demonstrates the value of whole-genome sequencing in characterizing multidrug resistance in clinical isolates.


mSystems ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuan Wu ◽  
Chen Liu ◽  
Wen-Ge Li ◽  
Jun-Li Xu ◽  
Wen-Zhu Zhang ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTHorizontal gene transfer of mobile genetic elements (MGEs) accounts for the mosaic genome ofClostridium difficile, leading to acquisition of new phenotypes, including drug resistance and reconstruction of the genomes. MGEs were analyzed according to the whole-genome sequences of 37C. difficileisolates with a variety of sequence types (STs) within clade 4 from China. Great diversity was found in each transposon even within isolates with the same ST. Two novel transposons were identified in isolates ZR9 and ZR18, of which approximately one third to half of the genes showed heterogenous origins compared with the usual intestinal bacterial genes. Most importantly,catD, known to be harbored by Tn4453a/b, was replaced byaac(6′) aph(2′′)in isolates 2, 7, and 28. This phenomenon illustrated the frequent occurrence of gene exchanges betweenC. difficileand other enterobacteria with individual heterogeneity. Numerous prophages and CRISPR arrays were identified inC. difficileisolates of clade 4. Approximately 20% of spacers were located in prophage-carried CRISPR arrays, providing a new method for typing and tracing the origins of closely related isolates, as well as in-depth studies of the mechanism underlying genome remodeling. The rates of drug resistance were obviously higher than those reported previously around the world, although all isolates retained high sensitivity to vancomycin and metronidazole. The increasing number ofC. difficileisolates resistant to all antibiotics tested here suggests the ease with which resistance is acquiredin vivo. This study gives insights into the genetic mechanism of microevolution within clade 4.IMPORTANCEMobile genetic elements play a key role in the continuing evolution ofClostridium difficile, resulting in the emergence of new phenotypes for individual isolates. On the basis of whole-genome sequencing analysis, we comprehensively explored transposons, CRISPR, prophage, and genetic sites for drug resistance within clade 4C. difficileisolates with different sequence types. Great diversity in MGEs and a high rate of multidrug resistance were found within this clade, including new transposons, Tn4453a/bwithaac(6′) aph(2′′)instead ofcatD, and a relatively high rate of prophage-carried CRISPR arrays. These findings provide important new insights into the mechanism of genome remodeling within clade 4 and offer a new method for typing and tracing the origins of closely related isolates.


2020 ◽  
Vol 86 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mélanie Mercier-Darty ◽  
Guilhem Royer ◽  
Brigitte Lamy ◽  
Chadly Charron ◽  
Olivier Lemenand ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT The Stenotrophomonas maltophilia complex (Smc) comprises opportunistic environmental Gram-negative bacilli responsible for a variety of infections in both humans and animals. Beyond its large genetic diversity, its genetic organization in genogroups was recently confirmed through the whole-genome sequencing of human and environmental strains. As they are poorly represented in these analyses, we sequenced the whole genomes of 93 animal strains to determine their genetic background and characteristics. Combining these data with 81 newly sequenced human strains and the genomes available from RefSeq, we performed a genomic analysis that included 375 nonduplicated genomes with various origins (animal, 104; human, 226; environment, 30; unknown, 15). Phylogenetic analysis and clustering based on genome-wide average nucleotide identity confirmed and specified the genetic organization of Smc in at least 20 genogroups. Two new genogroups were identified, and two previously described groups were further divided into two subgroups each. Comparing the strains isolated from different host types and their genogroup affiliation, we observed a clear disequilibrium in certain groups. Surprisingly, some antimicrobial resistance genes, integrons, and/or clusters of attC sites lacking integron-integrase (CALIN) sequences targeting antimicrobial compounds extensively used in animals were mainly identified in animal strains. We also identified genes commonly found in animal strains coding for efflux systems. The result of a large whole-genome analysis performed by us supports the hypothesis of the putative contribution of animals as a reservoir of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia complex strains and/or resistance genes for strains in humans. IMPORTANCE Given its naturally large antimicrobial resistance profile, the Stenotrophomonas maltophilia complex (Smc) is a set of emerging pathogens of immunosuppressed and cystic fibrosis patients. As it is group of environmental microorganisms, this adaptation to humans is an opportunity to understand the genetic and metabolic selective mechanisms involved in this process. The previously reported genomic organization was incomplete, as data from animal strains were underrepresented. We added the missing piece of the puzzle with whole-genome sequencing of 93 strains of animal origin. Beyond describing the phylogenetic organization, we confirmed the genetic diversity of the Smc, which could not be estimated through routine phenotype- or matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF)-based laboratory tests. Animals strains seem to play a key role in the diversity of Smc and could act as a reservoir for mobile resistance genes. Some genogroups seem to be associated with particular hosts; the genetic support of this association and the role of the determinants/corresponding genes need to be explored.


2016 ◽  
Vol 60 (9) ◽  
pp. 5515-5520 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick F. McDermott ◽  
Gregory H. Tyson ◽  
Claudine Kabera ◽  
Yuansha Chen ◽  
Cong Li ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTLaboratory-basedin vitroantimicrobial susceptibility testing is the foundation for guiding anti-infective therapy and monitoring antimicrobial resistance trends. We used whole-genome sequencing (WGS) technology to identify known antimicrobial resistance determinants among strains of nontyphoidalSalmonellaand correlated these with susceptibility phenotypes to evaluate the utility of WGS for antimicrobial resistance surveillance. Six hundred fortySalmonellaof 43 different serotypes were selected from among retail meat and human clinical isolates that were tested for susceptibility to 14 antimicrobials using broth microdilution. The MIC for each drug was used to categorize isolates as susceptible or resistant based on Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute clinical breakpoints or National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS) consensus interpretive criteria. Each isolate was subjected to whole-genome shotgun sequencing, and resistance genes were identified from assembled sequences. A total of 65 unique resistance genes, plus mutations in two structural resistance loci, were identified. There were more unique resistance genes (n =59) in the 104 human isolates than in the 536 retail meat isolates (n =36). Overall, resistance genotypes and phenotypes correlated in 99.0% of cases. Correlations approached 100% for most classes of antibiotics but were lower for aminoglycosides and beta-lactams. We report the first finding of extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) (blaCTX-M1andblaSHV2a) in retail meat isolates ofSalmonellain the United States. Whole-genome sequencing is an effective tool for predicting antibiotic resistance in nontyphoidalSalmonella, although the use of more appropriate surveillance breakpoints and increased knowledge of new resistance alleles will further improve correlations.


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