AUTHOR=Schmidt Katarzyna , Scholz Holger C. , Appelt Sandra , Michel Jana , Jacob Daniela , Dupke Susann 

TITLE=Virulence and resistance patterns of Vibrio cholerae non-O1/non-O139 acquired in Germany and other European countries

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Microbiology

VOLUME=14

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiology/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2023.1282135

DOI=10.3389/fmicb.2023.1282135

ISSN=1664-302X

ABSTRACT=<p>Global warming has caused an increase in the emergence of <italic>Vibrio</italic> species in marine and estuarine environments as well as fresh water bodies. Over the past decades, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has evolved among <italic>Vibrio</italic> species toward various antibiotics commonly used for the treatment of <italic>Vibrio</italic> infections. In this study, we assessed virulence and resistance patterns of <italic>Vibrio cholerae</italic> non-O1/non-O139 strains derived from Germany and other European countries. A total of 63 clinical and 24 environmental <italic>Vibrio cholerae</italic> non-O1/non-O139 strains, collected between 2011 and 2021, were analyzed. <italic>In silico</italic> antibiotic resistances were compared with resistance phenotypes according to EUCAST breakpoints. Additionally, genetic relatedness between isolates was assessed by two cgMLST schemes (SeqSphere +, pubMLST). Both cgMLST schemes yielded similar results, indicating high genetic diversity among <italic>V. cholerae</italic> non-O1/non-O139 isolates. Some isolates were found to be genetically closely related (allelic distance &lt; 20), which suggests an epidemiological link. Thirty-seven virulence genes (VGs) were identified among 87 <italic>V. cholerae</italic> non-O1/non-O139 isolates, which resulted in 38 virulence profiles (VPs). VPs were similar between clinical and environmental isolates, with the exception of one clinical isolate that displayed a higher abundance of VGs. Also, a cluster of 11 environmental isolates was identified to have the lowest number of VGs. Among all strains, the predominant virulence factors were quorum sensing protein (<italic>luxS</italic>), repeats-in-toxins (<italic>rtxC/rtxD</italic>), hemolysin (<italic>hlyA</italic>) and different type VI secretion systems (T6SS) genes. The genotypic profiles revealed antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) associated with resistance to beta-lactams, quinolones, macrolides, tetracycline, antifolate, aminoglycosides, fosfomycin, phenicols and sulfonamide. Carbapenemase gene VCC-1 was detected in 10 meropenem-resistant <italic>V. cholerae</italic> non-O1/non-O139 isolates derived from surface water in Germany. The proportion of resistance among <italic>V. cholerae</italic> non-O1/non-O139 species isolates against first line treatment (3rd generation cephalosporin, tetracycline and fluoroquinolone) was low. Empirical treatment would likely have been effective for all of the clinical <italic>V. cholerae</italic> non-O1/non-O139 isolates examined. Nevertheless, carbapenem-resistant isolates have been present in fresh water in Germany and might represent a reservoir for ARGs. Monitoring antimicrobial resistance is crucial for public health authorities to minimize the risks for the human population.</p>