Co-occurrence of 3 different resistance plasmids in a multi-drug resistant Cronobacter sakazakii isolate causing...

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Genetics
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Cronobacter sakazakii is an opportunistic pathogen causing severe infections, particularly in neonates.
• Antibiotic resistance in bacteria poses a significant global health threat.
• Understanding the genetic basis of resistance is crucial for effective treatment strategies.

Observation:

• A clinical isolate of Cronobacter sakazakii (strain 505108) was recovered from a neonate with severe pneumonia.
• This isolate harbored three distinct resistance plasmids belonging to IncHI2, IncX3, and IncFIB incompatibility groups.
• These plasmids contained numerous antibiotic resistance genes, including those conferring resistance to carbapenems, aminoglycosides, tetracyclines, phenicols, and sulfonamides/trimethoprim.

Findings:

• The resistance plasmids exhibited complex accessory modules acquired through mobile genetic elements like insertion sequences, integrons, and transposons.
• The co-acquisition and mobilization of these resistance genes are likely facilitated by transposition and homologous recombination.
• This is the first comprehensive sequencing of plasmids from a clinical Cronobacter isolate, revealing extensive multi-drug resistance mechanisms.

Implications:

• The findings highlight the significant role of plasmids in disseminating multi-drug resistance within Cronobacter species in hospital environments.
• This provides critical insights into the evolution and spread of antibiotic resistance in a clinically relevant pathogen.
• Understanding these plasmid-mediated resistance mechanisms is essential for developing targeted therapies and infection control measures against Cronobacter infections.