Global genomic diversity of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in bronchiectasis

• Published in: The Journal of infection 2024-11, Vol.89 (5), p.106275, Article 106275
• Main Authors: Harrington, N.E., Kottara, A., Cagney, K., Shepherd, M.J., Grimsey, E.M., Fu, T., Hull, R.C., Chong, C.E., Baker, K.S., Childs, D.Z., Fothergill, J.L., Chalmers, J.D., Brockhurst, M.A., Paterson, S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bacterial; Bacterial infections; Bronchiectasis; Drug resistance; Genetic variation; Lung; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Whole genome sequencing
• ISSN: 0163-4453; 1532-2742; 1532-2742
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2024.106275

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the most common pathogen in the bronchiectasis lung, associated with worsened outcomes. P. aeruginosa genomic studies in this context have been limited to single-country, European studies. We aimed to determine strain diversity, adaptation mechanisms, and AMR features to better inform treatment. P. aeruginosa from 180 bronchiectasis patients in 15 countries, obtained prior to a phase 3, randomised clinical trial (ORBIT-3), were analysed by whole-genome sequencing. Phylogenetic groups and sequence types were determined, and between versus within patient genetic diversity compared using Analysis of Molecular Variance (AMOVA). The frequency of AMR-associated genes and mutations was also determined. A total of 2854 P. aeruginosa isolates were analysed, predominantly belonging to phylogenetic group 1 (83%, n = 2359). Genetic diversity was far greater between than within patients, responsible for >99.9% of total diversity (AMOVA: phylogroup 1: df = 145, P