scholarly journals Genomic Analysis of Global Staphylococcus argenteus Strains Reveals Distinct Lineages With Differing Virulence and Antibiotic Resistance Gene Content

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cosmika Goswami ◽  
Stephen Fox ◽  
Matthew Holden ◽  
Alistair Leanord ◽  
Thomas J. Evans

Infections due to Staphylococcus argenteus have been increasingly reported worldwide and the microbe cannot be distinguished from Staphylococcus aureus by standard methods. Its complement of virulence determinants and antibiotic resistance genes remain unclear, and how far these are distinct from those produced by S. aureus remains undetermined. In order to address these uncertainties, we have collected 132 publicly available sequences from fourteen different countries, including the United Kingdom, between 2005 and 2018 to study the global genetic structure of the population. We have compared the genomes for antibiotic resistance genes, virulence determinants and mobile genetic elements such as phages, pathogenicity islands and presence of plasmid groups between different clades. 20% (n = 26) isolates were methicillin resistant harboring a mecA gene and 88% were penicillin resistant, harboring the blaZ gene. ST2250 was identified as the most frequent strain, but ST1223, which was the second largest group, contained a marginally larger number of virulence genes compared to the other STs. Novel S. argenteus pathogenicity islands were identified in our isolates harboring tsst-1, seb, sec3, ear, selk, selq toxin genes, as well as chromosomal clusters of enterotoxin and superantigen-like genes. Strain-specific type I modification systems were widespread which would limit interstrain transfer of genetic material. In addition, ST2250 possessed a CRISPR/Cas system, lacking in most other STs. S. argenteus possesses important genetic differences from S. aureus, as well as between different STs, with the potential to produce distinct clinical manifestations.

Gut Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Seung Woo Ahn ◽  
Se Hee Lee ◽  
Uh Jin Kim ◽  
Hee-Chang Jang ◽  
Hak-Jong Choi ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is an infectious nosocomial disease caused by Clostridioides difficile, an opportunistic pathogen that occurs in the intestine after extensive antibiotic regimens. Results Nine C. difficile strains (CBA7201–CBA7209) were isolated from nine patients diagnosed with CDI at the national university hospital in Korea, and the whole genomes of these strains were sequenced to identify their genomic characteristics. Comparative genomic analysis was performed using 51 reference strains and the nine isolated herein. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences confirmed that all 60 C. difficile strains belong to the genus Clostridioides, while core-genome tree indicated that they were divided into five groups, which was consistent with the results of MLST clade analysis. All strains were confirmed to have a clindamycin antibiotic resistance gene, but the other antibiotic resistance genes differ depending on the MLST clade. Interestingly, the six strains belonging to the sequence type 17 among the nine C. difficile strains isolated here exhibited unique genomic characteristics for PaLoc and CdtLoc, the two toxin gene loci identified in this study, and harbored similar antibiotic resistance genes. Conclusion In this study, we identified the specific genomic characteristics of Korean C. difficile strains, which could serve as basic information for CDI prevention and treatment in Korea.


Diversity ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 230
Author(s):  
Shan Wan ◽  
Min Xia ◽  
Jie Tao ◽  
Yanjun Pang ◽  
Fugen Yu ◽  
...  

In this study, we used a metagenomic approach to analyze microbial communities, antibiotic resistance gene diversity, and human pathogenic bacterium composition in two typical landfills in China. Results showed that the phyla Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Actinobacteria were predominant in the two landfills, and archaea and fungi were also detected. The genera Methanoculleus, Lysobacter, and Pseudomonas were predominantly present in all samples. sul2, sul1, tetX, and adeF were the four most abundant antibiotic resistance genes. Sixty-nine bacterial pathogens were identified from the two landfills, with Klebsiella pneumoniae, Bordetella pertussis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Bacillus cereus as the major pathogenic microorganisms, indicating the existence of potential environmental risk in landfills. In addition, KEGG pathway analysis indicated the presence of antibiotic resistance genes typically associated with human antibiotic resistance bacterial strains. These results provide insights into the risk of pathogens in landfills, which is important for controlling the potential secondary transmission of pathogens and reducing workers’ health risk during landfill excavation.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cui Li ◽  
Yulong Wang ◽  
Yufeng Gao ◽  
Chao Li ◽  
Boheng Ma ◽  
...  

Although knowledge of the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)-Cas system has been applied in many research areas, comprehensive studies of this system in Salmonella, particularly in analysis of antibiotic resistance, have not been reported. In this work, 75 Salmonella isolates obtained from broilers or broilers products were characterized to determine their antimicrobial susceptibilities, antibiotic resistance gene profiles, and CRISPR array diversities, and genotyping was explored. In total, 80.00% (60/75) of the strains were multidrug resistant, and the main pattern observed in the isolates was CN-AZM-AMP-AMC-CAZ-CIP-ATM-TE-SXT-FOS-C. The resistance genes of streptomycin (aadA), phenicol (floR-like and catB3-like), β-lactams (blaTEM, blaOXA, and blaCTX), tetracycline [tet(A)-like], and sulfonamides (sul1 and sul2) appeared at higher frequencies among the corresponding resistant isolates. Subsequently, we analyzed the CRISPR arrays and found 517 unique spacer sequences and 31 unique direct repeat sequences. Based on the CRISPR spacer sequences, we developed a novel typing method, CRISPR locus three spacer sequences typing (CLTSST), to help identify sources of Salmonella outbreaks especially correlated with epidemiological data. Compared with multi-locus sequence typing (MLST), conventional CRISPR typing (CCT), and CRISPR locus spacer pair typing (CLSPT), discrimination using CLTSST was weaker than that using CCT but stronger than that using MLST and CLSPT. In addition, we also found that there were no close correlations between CRISPR loci and antibiotics but had close correlations between CRISPR loci and antibiotic resistance genes in Salmonella isolates.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaixuan Guo ◽  
Yue Zhao ◽  
Luqing Cui ◽  
Zhengzheng Cao ◽  
Fan Zhang ◽  
...  

Bacterial resistance is a complex scientific issue. To manage this issue, we need to deeply understand the influencing factors and mechanisms. Based on the background of livestock husbandry, this paper reviews the factors that affect the acquisition of bacterial resistance. Meanwhile, the resistance mechanism is also discussed. “Survival of the fittest” is the result of genetic plasticity of bacterial pathogens, which brings about specific response, such as producing adaptive mutation, gaining genetic material or changing gene expression. To a large extent, bacterial populations acquire resistance genes directly caused by the selective pressure of antibiotics. However, mobile resistance genes may be co-selected by other existing substances (such as heavy metals and biocides) without direct selection pressure from antibiotics. This is because the same mobile genetic elements as antibiotic resistance genes can be co-located by the resistance determinants of some of these compounds. Furthermore, environmental factors are a source of resistance gene acquisition. Here, we describe some of the key measures that should be taken to mitigate the risk of antibiotic resistance. We call on the relevant governments or organizations around the world to formulate and improve the monitoring policies of antibiotic resistance, strengthen the supervision, strengthen the international cooperation and exchange, and curb the emergence and spread of drug-resistant strains.


Author(s):  
Sanjana Mukherjee ◽  
Heather M. Blankenship ◽  
Jose A. Rodrigues ◽  
Rebekah E. Mosci ◽  
James T. Rudrik ◽  
...  

Background: Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) is an important foodborne pathogen that contributes to over 250,000 infections in the US each year. Because antibiotics are not recommended for STEC infections, resistance in STEC has not been widely researched despite an increased likelihood for the transfer of resistance gene from STEC to opportunistic pathogens residing within the same microbial community. Methods: Between 2001 and 2014, 969 STEC isolates were collected from Michigan patients. Serotyping and antibiotic susceptibility profiles to clinically relevant antibiotics were determined using disc diffusion, while epidemiological data was used to identify factors associated with resistance. Whole genome sequencing was used to examine genetic relatedness and identify genetic determinants and mechanisms of resistance in the non-O157 isolates. Results: Increasing frequencies of resistance to at least one antibiotic was observed over the 14 years (p=0.01). While the non-O157 serogroups were more commonly resistant than O157 (Odds Ratio: 2.4; 95% Confidence Interval:1.43-4.05), the frequency of ampicillin resistance among O157 isolates was significantly higher in Michigan compared to the national average (p=0.03). Genomic analysis of 321 non-O157 isolates uncovered 32 distinct antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Although mutations in genes encoding resistance to ciprofloxacin and ampicillin were detected in four isolates, most of the horizontally acquired ARGs conferred resistance to aminoglycosides, β-lactams, sulfonamides and/or tetracycline. Conclusions: This study provides insight into the mechanisms of resistance in a large collection of clinical non-O157 STEC isolates and demonstrates that antibiotic resistance among all STEC serogroups has increased over time, prompting the need for enhanced surveillance.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Udomluk Leungtongkam ◽  
Rapee Thummeepak ◽  
Thawatchai Kitti ◽  
Kannipa Tasanapak ◽  
Jintana Wongwigkarn ◽  
...  

Abstract In this study, we examined the association between antimicrobial resistance, CRISPR/Cas systems and virulence with phage susceptibility in Acinetobacter baumannii and investigated draft genomes of phage susceptible multidrug resistant A. baumannii strains from Thailand. We investigated 230 A. baumannii strains using 17 lytic A. baumannii phages and the phage susceptibility was 46.5% (107/230). Phage susceptibility was also associated with resistance to numerous antibiotics (p-value < 0.05). We also found association between biofilm formation and the presence of ompA gene among phage susceptible A. baumannii strains (p-value < 0.05). A. baumannii isolates carrying cas5 or combinations of two or three other cas genes, showed a significant increase in phage resistance. Whole-genome sequences of seven phage susceptible A. baumannii isolates revealed that six groups of antibiotic resistance genes were carried by all seven phage susceptible A. baumannii. All strains carried biofilm associated genes and two strains harbored complete prophages, acquired copper tolerance genes, and CRISPR-associated (cas) genes. In conclusion, our data exhibits an association between virulence determinants and biofilm formation among phage susceptible A. baumannii strains. These data help to understand the bacterial co-evolution with phages.


2008 ◽  
Vol 74 (19) ◽  
pp. 6032-6040 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Rosander ◽  
Eamonn Connolly ◽  
Stefan Roos

ABSTRACT The spread of antibiotic resistance in pathogens is primarily a consequence of the indiscriminate use of antibiotics, but there is concern that food-borne lactic acid bacteria may act as reservoirs of antibiotic resistance genes when distributed in large doses to the gastrointestinal tract. Lactobacillus reuteri ATCC 55730 is a commercially available probiotic strain which has been found to harbor potentially transferable resistance genes. The aims of this study were to define the location and nature of β-lactam, tetracycline, and lincosamide resistance determinants and, if they were found to be acquired, attempt to remove them from the strain by methods that do not genetically modify the organism before subsequently testing whether the probiotic characteristics were retained. No known β-lactam resistance genes was found, but penicillin-binding proteins from ATCC 55730, two additional resistant strains, and three sensitive strains of L. reuteri were sequenced and comparatively analyzed. The β-lactam resistance in ATCC 55730 is probably caused by a number of alterations in the corresponding genes and can be regarded as not transferable. The strain was found to harbor two plasmids carrying tet(W) tetracycline and lnu(A) lincosamide resistance genes, respectively. A new daughter strain, L. reuteri DSM 17938, was derived from ATCC 55730 by removal of the two plasmids, and it was shown to have lost the resistances associated with them. Direct comparison of the parent and daughter strains for a series of in vitro properties and in a human clinical trial confirmed the retained probiotic properties of the daughter strain.


2002 ◽  
Vol 184 (15) ◽  
pp. 4259-4269 ◽  
Author(s):  
John W. Beaber ◽  
Bianca Hochhut ◽  
Matthew K. Waldor

ABSTRACT SXT is representative of a family of conjugative-transposon-like mobile genetic elements that encode multiple antibiotic resistance genes. In recent years, SXT-related conjugative, self-transmissible integrating elements have become widespread in Asian Vibrio cholerae. We have determined the 100-kb DNA sequence of SXT. This element appears to be a chimera composed of transposon-associated antibiotic resistance genes linked to a variety of plasmid- and phage-related genes, as well as to many genes from unknown sources. We constructed a nearly comprehensive set of deletions through the use of the one-step chromosomal gene inactivation technique to identify SXT genes involved in conjugative transfer and chromosomal excision. SXT, unlike other conjugative transposons, utilizes a conjugation system related to that encoded by the F plasmid. More than half of the SXT genome, including the composite transposon-like structure that contains its antibiotic resistance genes, was not required for its mobility. Two SXT loci, designated setC and setD, whose predicted amino acid sequences were similar to those of the flagellar regulators FlhC and FlhD, were found to encode regulators that activate the transcription of genes required for SXT excision and transfer. Another locus, designated setR, whose gene product bears similarity to lambdoid phage CI repressors, also appears to regulate SXT gene expression.


2001 ◽  
Vol 45 (11) ◽  
pp. 2991-3000 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bianca Hochhut ◽  
Yasmin Lotfi ◽  
Didier Mazel ◽  
Shah M. Faruque ◽  
Roger Woodgate ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Many recent Asian clinical Vibrio cholerae E1 Tor O1 and O139 isolates are resistant to the antibiotics sulfamethoxazole (Su), trimethoprim (Tm), chloramphenicol (Cm), and streptomycin (Sm). The corresponding resistance genes are located on large conjugative elements (SXT constins) that are integrated into prfC on the V. cholerae chromosome. We determined the DNA sequences of the antibiotic resistance genes in the SXT constin in MO10, an O139 isolate. In SXTMO10, these genes are clustered within a composite transposon-like structure found near the element's 5′ end. The genes conferring resistance to Cm (floR), Su (sulII), and Sm (strA and strB) correspond to previously described genes, whereas the gene conferring resistance to Tm, designated dfr18, is novel. In some other O139 isolates the antibiotic resistance gene cluster was found to be deleted from the SXT-related constin. The El Tor O1 SXT constin, SXTET, does not contain the same resistance genes as SXTMO10. In this constin, the Tm resistance determinant was located nearly 70 kbp away from the other resistance genes and found in a novel type of integron that constitutes a fourth class of resistance integrons. These studies indicate that there is considerable flux in the antibiotic resistance genes found in the SXT family of constins and point to a model for the evolution of these related mobile elements.


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