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Coexistence and characterization of Tet(X5) and NDM-3 in the MDR-Acinetobacter indicus of duck origin
Biao Tang1, Hua Yang2, Xu Jia3
1State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products & Institute of Quality and Standard for Agro-products, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310021, China; Department of Pathogen Biology & Microbiology and Department of General Intensive Care Unit of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, China.
Abstract:
Tigecycline and carbapenem are last-resort antibiotics for serious infections caused by pathogens with multi-drug resistance (MDR). Whereas, bacterial pathogens with co-resistance to tigecycline and carbapenem are poorly addressed. Here we report a tigecycline- and carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter indicus strain HY20 of duck origin, which co-produces Tet(X5) and NDM-3. Tet(X5) is harbored by a novel plasmid pAI01 (116,992 bp long), which carries 10 antimicrobial resistance genes (AMRs), and heavy metal resistance system cobalt-zinc-cadmium (czc) gene cluster. Unlike that tet(X5) is located in the res-tet(X5)-xerD segment of plasmid, the chromosomal blaNDM-3 is flanked by insertion ISAba125. Collectively, our result represents an example of co-carriage of tet(X5) and blaNDM-3, heightening the importance of AMR surveillance needed in poultry production.
Insights
A novel duck-origin Acinetobacter indicus strain exhibits resistance to last-resort antibiotics tigecycline and carbapenem. This strain co-harbors Tet(X5) and NDM-3 resistance genes, highlighting the need for poultry AMR surveillance.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Genomics
- Antimicrobial Resistance
Background:
- Multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacterial pathogens pose a significant threat to public health.
- Tigecycline and carbapenems are critical last-line antibiotics for treating severe MDR infections.
- Co-resistance to both tigecycline and carbapenems presents a major therapeutic challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize a novel Acinetobacter indicus strain exhibiting co-resistance to tigecycline and carbapenem.
- To identify and analyze the genetic mechanisms conferring this dual resistance.
Main Methods:
- Isolation and identification of Acinetobacter indicus strain HY20 from a duck.
- Whole-genome sequencing to identify antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes and mobile genetic elements.
- Plasmid and chromosomal DNA analysis to determine gene localization.
Main Results:
- Acinetobacter indicus strain HY20 was identified as resistant to tigecycline and carbapenem.
- The strain co-produces the tigecycline resistance enzyme Tet(X5) and the carbapenemase NDM-3.
- Tet(X5) is located on a novel plasmid (pAI01) containing 10 AMR genes and a heavy metal resistance (czc) cluster.
- The blaNDM-3 gene is chromosomally located and flanked by ISAba125 insertion sequences.
Conclusions:
- This study reports the first instance of co-carriage of tet(X5) and blaNDM-3 in a single bacterial isolate.
- The findings underscore the urgent need for enhanced antimicrobial resistance surveillance in poultry production to mitigate the spread of high-priority pathogens.
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