AUTHOR=Yang Lang , Lin Yanfeng , Lu Lanfen , Xue Mei , Ma Hui , Guo Xuguang , Wang Kaiying , Li Peihan , Du Xinying , Qi Kezong , Li Peng , Song Hongbin 

TITLE=Coexistence of Two blaNDM–5 Genes Carried on IncX3 and IncFII Plasmids in an Escherichia coli Isolate Revealed by Illumina and Nanopore Sequencing

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Microbiology

VOLUME=Volume 11 - 2020

YEAR=2020

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiology/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2020.00195

DOI=10.3389/fmicb.2020.00195

ISSN=1664-302X

ABSTRACT=The emergence of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae poses a significant threat to public health worldwide. Here, we reported a multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli strain with two different blaNDM-5-carrying plasmids from China. Illumina short-read and MinION long-read whole genome sequencing were performed. Genomic analysis found that one blaNDM-5 gene together with mphA was located on a 55-kb IncX3 plasmid, while the other blaNDM-5 gene was on a novel 68-kb IncFII plasmid. Susceptibility testing and qRT-PCR results further indicated that the transconjugants with the IncX3 plasmid exhibited higher-level carbapenem resistance and expression of blaNDM-5 than those with both plasmids or the IncFII plasmid. Two other β-lactamase genes (blaCTX-M-15 and blaOXA-1) were also detected on another 160-kb IncF plasmid. This is the first report of coexistence of two blaNDM-5-carrying plasmids in a single bacterial isolate, highlighting the genetic complexity of NDM-5 carbapenemase circulation and the urgent need for continued active surveillance.