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Detailed characterization of an IncFII plasmid carrying blaOXA-48 from Lebanon
Jennifer Moussa1, Balig Panossian1, Elie Nassour1
1Department of Natural Sciences, School of Arts and Sciences, Lebanese American University, Byblos 1401, Lebanon.
Background:
The spread of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae is an important challenge and an increasing healthcare problem. OXA-48 is a class D carbapenemase that is usually localized on a conjugative plasmid belonging to the IncL incompatibility group.
Methods:
In this study, we used a combination of short- and long-read WGS approaches and molecular typing techniques to characterize the genetic environment of the smallest reported 27 029 bp IncFII plasmid carrying blaOXA-48 (pLAU-OXA48).
Results:
The plasmid recovered from a clinical Escherichia coli isolate was positive for blaOXA-48, which was located within the Tn6237 composite transposon. Primers targeting junctions between the IncF fragment and Tn6237 for the rapid identification of pLAU-OXA48-like plasmids were designed.
Conclusions:
To our knowledge, this is the first report showing the complete sequence of an IncFII plasmid carrying blaOXA-48 within Tn6237 using hybrid assembly of long- and short-read sequencing.
Insights
Researchers characterized the smallest IncFII plasmid carrying the OXA-48 carbapenemase gene. This study details the genetic environment of the blaOXA-48 gene within the Tn6237 transposon on this plasmid.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Genomics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) pose a significant healthcare challenge.
- OXA-48 is a carbapenemase enzyme often found on IncL plasmids.
- Understanding the genetic basis of CRE spread is crucial for infection control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To fully characterize the genetic environment of the blaOXA-48 gene.
- To investigate the smallest reported IncFII plasmid carrying blaOXA-48.
- To identify potential targets for rapid plasmid detection.
Main Methods:
- Hybrid sequencing using both short-read and long-read whole-genome sequencing (WGS).
- Molecular typing techniques.
- Bioinformatic analysis of plasmid DNA sequence.
Main Results:
- The complete sequence of a 27,029 bp IncFII plasmid (pLAU-OXA48) carrying blaOXA-48 was determined.
- The blaOXA-48 gene was located within the Tn6237 composite transposon.
- Primers were designed to rapidly identify pLAU-OXA48-like plasmids.
Conclusions:
- This study provides the first complete sequence of an IncFII plasmid harboring blaOXA-48 within the Tn6237 transposon using hybrid assembly.
- The findings enhance our understanding of OXA-48 plasmid epidemiology.
- The developed primers facilitate rapid detection of these clinically relevant plasmids.
