Back to Search Start Over

Genomic characterization of an emerging Enterobacteriaceae species: the first case of co-infection with a typical pathogen in a human patient

Authors :
Zhao Zhang
Daixi Li
Xing Shi
Yao Zhai
Yatao Guo
Yali Zheng
Lili Zhao
Yukun He
Yusheng Chen
Zhanwei Wang
Jianrong Su
Yu Kang
Zhancheng Gao
Source :
BMC Genomics, Vol 21, Iss 1, Pp 1-13 (2020)
Publication Year :
2020
Publisher :
BMC, 2020.

Abstract

Abstract Background Opportunistic pathogens are important for clinical practice as they often cause antibiotic-resistant infections. However, little is documented for many emerging opportunistic pathogens and their biological characteristics. Here, we isolated a strain of extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae from a patient with a biliary tract infection. We explored the biological and genomic characteristics of this strain to provide new evidence and detailed information for opportunistic pathogens about the co-infection they may cause. Results The isolate grew very slowly but conferred strong protection for the co-infected cephalosporin-sensitive Klebsiella pneumoniae. As the initial laboratory testing failed to identify the taxonomy of the strain, great perplexity was caused in the etiological diagnosis and anti-infection treatment for the patient. Rigorous sequencing efforts achieved the complete genome sequence of the isolate which we designated as AF18. AF18 is phylogenetically close to a few strains isolated from soil, clinical sewage, and patients, forming a novel species together, while the taxonomic nomenclature of which is still under discussion. And this is the first report of human infection of this novel species. Like its relatives, AF18 harbors many genes related to cell mobility, various genes adaptive to both the natural environment and animal host, over 30 mobile genetic elements, and a plasmid bearing bla CTX-M-3 gene, indicating its ability to disseminate antimicrobial-resistant genes from the natural environment to patients. Transcriptome sequencing identified two sRNAs that critically regulate the growth rate of AF18, which could serve as targets for novel antimicrobial strategies. Conclusions Our findings imply that AF18 and its species are not only infection-relevant but also potential disseminators of antibiotic resistance genes, which highlights the need for continuous monitoring for this novel species and efforts to develop treatment strategies.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
14712164
Volume :
21
Issue :
1
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
BMC Genomics
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.5ca298e36ab44380aea58ed3298c2672
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12864-020-6720-z