Clonal dissemination of highly virulent Serratia marcescens strains producing KPC-2 in food-producing animals

• Published in: One health 2023-12, Vol.17, p.100591-100591, Article 100591
• Main Authors: Valiatti, Tiago Barcelos, Bessa-Neto, Francisco Ozório, Santos, Fernanda Fernandes, Silva, Ramon Giovanni Brandão, Veiga, Ruanita, Cassu-Corsi, Dandara, Moura, Tuane Carolina Ferreira, Lobato, Amalia Raiana Fonseca, Pignatari, Antonio Carlos Campos, Souza, Cintya Oliveira, Brasiliense, Danielle Murici, Cayô, Rodrigo, Gales, Ana Cristina
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Amazon region; Antimicrobial resistance; Food-production-animal; Genomic surveillance; One health; Research Paper
• ISSN: 2352-7714; 2352-7714
• DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2023.100591

Serratia marcescens is a Gram-negative bacterium presenting intrinsic resistance to polymyxins that has emerged as an important human pathogen. Although previous studies reported the occurrence of multidrug-resistance (MDR) S. marcescens isolates in the nosocomial settings, herein, we described isolates of this extensively drug-resistant (XDR) species recovered from stool samples of food-producing animals in the Brazilian Amazon region. Three carbapenem-resistant S. marcescens strains were recovered from stool samples of poultry and cattle. Genetic similarity analysis showed that these strains belonged to the same clone. Whole-genome sequencing of a representative strain (SMA412) revealed a resistome composed of genes encoding resistance to β-lactams [blaKPC-2, blaSRT-2], aminoglycosides [aac(6′)-Ib3, aac(6′)-Ic, aph(3′)-VIa], quinolones [aac(6′)-Ib-cr], sulfonamides [sul2], and tetracyclines [tet(41)]. In addition, the analysis of the virulome demonstrated the presence of important genes involved in the pathogenicity of this species (lipBCD, pigP, flhC, flhD, phlA, shlA, and shlB). Our data demonstrate that food-animal production can act as reservoirs for MDR and virulent strains of S. marcescens. •Identification of a highly virulent KPC-producing S. marcesnces strain.•Food-production-animals as a reservoir of AMR•Phylogenomics analyzes showed genetic proximity to clinical isolates•Surveillance studies based on the One Health interface to monitor AMR are still scarce in the Brazilian Amazon.