Unravelling the genome of a Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolate belonging to the high-risk clone ST235 reveals an integrative conjugative element housing a blaGES-6 carbapenemase

• Published in: Journal of antimicrobial chemotherapy 2018-01, Vol.73 (1), p.77-83
• Main Authors: Botelho, João, Grosso, Filipa, Peixe, Luísa
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bacterial Proteins - genetics; beta-Lactamases - genetics; Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial - genetics; Genome, Bacterial - genetics; Humans; Interspersed Repetitive Sequences - genetics; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide - genetics; Pseudomonas aeruginosa - drug effects; Pseudomonas aeruginosa - genetics; Pseudomonas aeruginosa - isolation & purification; Pseudomonas Infections - drug therapy; Pseudomonas Infections - microbiology
• ISSN: 0305-7453; 1460-2091
• DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkx337

In Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the blaGES-6 carbapenemase gene was previously associated with an In1076 class I integron. Here, we conducted a genome-based analysis and explored the genetic platform associated with the mobility of this gene. WGS of a blaGES-6-harbouring P. aeruginosa isolate (FFUP_PS_690) was performed with Illumina HiSeq, de novo assembly was performed using SPAdes and subsequent bioinformatic analysis was performed concerning antibiotic resistance genes, virulence features and mobile genetic elements. The FFUP_PS_690 isolate belongs to the ST235 high-risk clone and houses a novel integrative conjugative element (ICE), hereby named ICEPae690. This clc-like ICE comprises the blaGES-6-harbouring In1076 integron and specific modules. An ExoU island A variant was also identified. The presence of a 'hitch-hiking' blaGES-6-harbouring In1076 integron in an ICE and an exoU-carrying genomic island highlight the potential spread of these elements through conjugation and/or clonal expansion of the ST235 lineage.