AUTHOR=Hu Xinjun , Zhang Huanran , Liu Yi , Liu Xiaojing , Qiao Jie , Ge Haoyu , Zhao Junhui , Ma Xiaohan , Chen Mantao , Liu Ruishan 

TITLE=Genetic characterization and virulence determinants of multidrug-resistant NDM-1-producing Aeromonas caviae

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Microbiology

VOLUME=13

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiology/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2022.1055654

DOI=10.3389/fmicb.2022.1055654

ISSN=1664-302X

ABSTRACT=<p>The emergence of carbapenemase significantly threatens public health. It is prevalent worldwide but rare in <italic>Aeromonas caviae</italic>. Unlike most bacterial species, <italic>A. caviae</italic> has two distinct flagella systems, which are closely related to biofilm formation. The ability to form biofilms on host tissues or inert surfaces constitutes an important cause of many persistent infections, which causes difficulties in clinical treatment. Here, we report on a multidrug-resistant (MDR) <italic>A. caviae</italic> carrying <italic>bla</italic><sub>NDM–1</sub> with a novel sequence type 1,416. The strong ability of biofilm formation of FAHZZU2447 was verified by a crystal violet assay. The resistome profile and location of the <italic>bla</italic><sub>NDM–1</sub> gene were determined by antimicrobial susceptibility testing, S1 nuclease pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (S1-PFGE), and Southern blot analysis. Moreover, the strain underwent whole-genome sequencing to identify its genomic characteristics. In addition, the <italic>bla</italic><sub>NDM–1</sub> gene was located on a ∼243 kb plasmid with genetic context IS<italic>1R</italic>-<italic>bla</italic><sub>NDM–1</sub>-<italic>ble</italic>-<italic>trpF</italic>-<italic>dsbD</italic>-<italic>hp</italic>-<italic>sul1</italic>-<italic>qacE</italic>. Phylogenetic analysis indicated the transmission of <italic>A. caviae</italic> in China, Japan, and Thailand. Our study aimed to elucidate the genomic features of <italic>bla</italic><sub>NDM–1</sub>-producing <italic>A. caviae</italic>, thereby clarifying the distribution of <italic>A. caviae</italic> worldwide and emphasizing the harmfulness of biofilm formation to the clinic. Further comprehensive surveillance of this species is needed to control further dissemination.</p>