Co-Occurrence of Two Plasmids Encoding Transferable blaNDM-1 and tet(Y) Genes in Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter bereziniae

Andrés Opazo-Capurro, Kyriaki Xanthopoulou, Rocío Arazo del Pino, Paulina González-Muñoz, Maximiliano Matus-Köhler, Luis Amsteins-Romero, Christian Jerez-Olate, Juan Carlos Hormazábal, Rodrigo Vera, Felipe Aguilera, Sebastián Fuller, Paul G. Higgins*, Gerardo González-Rocha*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Acinetobacter bereziniae has emerged as a significant human pathogen, acquiring multiple antibiotic resistance genes, including carbapenemases. This study focuses on characterizing the plasmids harboring the blaNDM-1 and tet(Y) genes in two carbapenem-resistant A. bereziniae isolates (UCO-553 and UCO-554) obtained in Chile during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Antibiotic susceptibility testing was conducted on UCO-553 and UCO-554. Both isolates underwent whole-genome sequencing to ascertain their sequence type (ST), core genome multilocus sequence-typing (cgMLST) profile, antibiotic resistance genes, plasmids, and mobile genetic elements. Conjugation experiments were performed for both isolates. Results: Both isolates exhibited broad resistance, including resistance to carbapenems, third-generation cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones, tetracycline, cotrimoxazole, and aminoglycosides. Both isolates belong to sequence type STPAS1761, with a difference of 17 out of 2984 alleles. Each isolate carried a 47,274 bp plasmid with blaNDM-1 and aph(3′)-VI genes and two highly similar plasmids: a 35,184 bp plasmid with tet(Y), sul2, aph(6)-Id, and aph(3″)-Ib genes, and a 6078 bp plasmid containing the ant(2″)-Ia gene. Quinolone-resistance mutations were identified in the gyrA and parC genes of both isolates. Importantly, blaNDM-1 was located within a Tn125 transposon, and tet(Y) was embedded in a Tn5393 transposon. Conjugation experiments successfully transferred blaNDM-1 and tet(Y) into the A. baumannii ATCC 19606 strain, indicating the potential for horizontal gene transfer. Conclusions: This study highlights the critical role of plasmids in disseminating resistance genes in A. bereziniae and underscores the need for the continued genomic surveillance of this emerging pathogen. The findings emphasize the importance of monitoring A. bereziniae for its potential to cause difficult-to-treat infections and its capacity to spread resistance determinants against clinically significant antibiotics.

Translated title of the contributionCo-ocurrencia de dos plásmidos que codifican genes transferibles blaNDM-1 y tet(Y) en Acinetobacter bereziniae resistente a carbapenémicos.
Original languageEnglish
Article number1213
JournalGenes
Volume15
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - 2024

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 by the authors.

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Genetics
  • Genetics(clinical)

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