Complete genome sequence of a ciprofloxacin-resistant Salmonella Kentucky ST198 strain from a chicken carcass in South Korea

Objectives: Human infection by ciprofloxacin-resistant Salmonella enterica serovar Kentucky sequence type 198 (ST198) has been reported in the USA, Europe and Korea. In this study, we report the complete genome sequence of the first Salmonella Kentucky ST198 strain isolated from a chicken carcass in South Korea. Methods: The recovered Salmonella Kentucky, designated as K13SK002, was isolated from a chicken carcass in 2013. Genomic DNA was sequenced using a combination of 20-kb PacBio SMRTbell library and PacBio RS II. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values were determined. Antimicrobial resistance and virulence genes were investigated in silico using ResFinder and VirulenceFinder tools, respectively, available at the Center for Genomic Epidemiology server. Results: The genome of K13SK002 consists of contiguous sequences (contigs) with a total length of 4 847 849 bp and a GC content of 52.20%. We detected a total of 4352 protein-coding sequences, 85 tRNA genes and 22 rRNA genes. MICs for ampicillin, ciprofloxacin, gentamicin, streptomycin, sulfisoxazole and tetracycline were 64, 16, 16, 64, >256 and 128 μg/mL, respectively. We found six antimicrobial resistance genes, however no plasmids and genes associated with adherence, toxins and exoenzyme were found. Ciprofloxacin-resistant Salmonella Kentucky K13SK002 was found to have mutations in DNA gyrase A (S83F and D87Y). Conclusion: This is the first report of the complete genome sequence of a Salmonella Kentucky ST198 strain isolated from a chicken carcass in South Korea. This genome sequence provides useful information on the genomic features associated with virulence and antimicrobial resistance in Salmonella Kentucky ST198.