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ORIGINAL RESEARCH article

Front. Cell. Infect. Microbiol.
Sec. Molecular Bacterial Pathogenesis
Volume 14 - 2024 | doi: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1496896

Population genetic analysis of clinical Mycobacterium abscessus complex strains in China

Provisionally accepted
Xiangchen Li Xiangchen Li 1,2*Yelei Zhu Yelei Zhu 3Yewei Lu Yewei Lu 1Kunyang Wu Kunyang Wu 3Xiaomeng Wang Xiaomeng Wang 3Weixin Wang Weixin Wang 1Junli Gao Junli Gao 1Junshun Gao Junshun Gao 1Zhengwei Liu Zhengwei Liu 3*Zhuxian Zhou Zhuxian Zhou 2*
  • 1 Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine in Diagnosis and Monitoring Research of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
  • 2 Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
  • 3 Zhejiang Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Zhejiang CDC), Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.

    Background: To explore the genetic characteristics of the Mycobacterium abscessus complex (MABC) population in China, given its rising clinical importance among nontuberculous mycobacteria.We conducted population genetic analyses on 360 MABC genomes from China, focusing on core genome multilocus sequence typing (cgMLST), pan-genome characterization, population genetics, and antimicrobial resistance gene profiling.Results: Our analysis identified 273 M. abscessus subsp. abscessus (MabA) and 87 M. abscessus subsp. massiliense (MabM) isolates, uncovering 68 sequence types (STs), with ST5 being the most common. cgMLST classified 33.3% of isolates into six dominant circulating clones (DCCs) and 49.4% into 59 genomic clusters at a threshold of 25 different alleles, including 18 international clusters linking Chinese isolates with seven other countries. The MABC pan-genome is open, with MabA exhibiting greater accessory gene diversity and higher gene turnover compared to MabM. Mobile genetic elements (MGEs), such as prophages and genomic islands, were prevalent across all genomes. 139 to 151 virulence factors (VFs) were identified per genome, with distinct accessory VFs in MabA and MabM affecting immune modulation and metabolism. Resistance gene profiling revealed ubiquitous mtrA, RbpA, and blaMAB, with MabAspecific erm(41) conferring resistance to macrolides and β-lactams. Common rrs and rrl gene mutations indicated widespread resistance to aminoglycosides and macrolides, while gyrA mutations suggested emerging fluoroquinolone resistance. An acquired erm(46) gene, likely obtained via phage-mediated horizontal gene transfer, was detected in one MabA strain. Conclusion: This study provides key genetic insights into the dynamics of MABC in China. The widespread distribution of DCCs, high genomic clustering rates, open pangenome, and distinct resistance patterns between MabA and MabM, along with MGEs, highlight the need for targeted surveillance and tailored therapies to address emerging challenges in MABC infections.

    Keywords: Mycobacterium abscessus complex, Population Genetics, Molecular Epidemiology, cgMLST, pan-genome

    Received: 15 Sep 2024; Accepted: 17 Dec 2024.

    Copyright: © 2024 Li, Zhu, Lu, Wu, Wang, Wang, Gao, Gao, Liu and Zhou. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

    * Correspondence:
    Xiangchen Li, Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine in Diagnosis and Monitoring Research of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
    Zhengwei Liu, Zhejiang Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Zhejiang CDC), Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
    Zhuxian Zhou, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, Zhejiang Province, China

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