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Identification of a Multidrug Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolate Harboring Infrequent Red Fluorescence Plasmid
Qianglin Zeng1, Xiting Yang1, Heyue Li2
1Affiliated Hospital/Clinical College of Chengdu University, Antibiotics Research and Re-Evaluation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610106, People's Republic of China.
Abstract:
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a notorious Gram-negative opportunistic pathogen that normally causes acute and chronic infections in a wide range of hosts. In this study, a multi-resistant P. aeruginosa isolate L1a harboring an infrequent plasmid with red fluorescence was obtained from the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The results of susceptibility testing and virulence-related phenotypic identification revealed that P. aeruginosa L1a was resistant to levofloxacin, cefepime, aztreonam, and imipenem and showed significantly stronger capacities for swimming and pyocyanin production than the reference strain PAO1. The genome of P. aeruginosa L1a was assembled into one circular chromosome (6,216,913 bp) and one circular plasmid (9111 bp). P. aeruginosa L1a was found to belong to the multilocus sequence type ST549, and serotype O5, and carried 8 drug resistance genes and 18 multidrug efflux pump-related genes in the chromosomal DNA. The plasmid pL1a harbored a tetracycline resistant gene tetA and a functional red fluorescence protein. This study reports a multidrug resistant P. aeruginosa clinical isolate harboring an infrequent red fluorescence plasmid for the first time.
Insights
A multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain was identified with a rare red fluorescent plasmid. This discovery offers new insights into bacterial pathogenesis and potential novel research tools.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Genomics
- Pathogen Research
Background:
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a common Gram-negative opportunistic pathogen causing diverse infections.
- Antibiotic resistance in P. aeruginosa poses a significant clinical challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize a novel multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa isolate (L1a) from a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patient.
- To investigate the genetic makeup and virulence factors of this unique isolate, including a rare fluorescent plasmid.
Main Methods:
- Whole-genome sequencing and assembly of the P. aeruginosa L1a isolate.
- Antimicrobial susceptibility testing and phenotypic analysis of virulence traits (swimming, pyocyanin production).
- Plasmid characterization, including gene content analysis.
Main Results:
- The P. aeruginosa L1a isolate exhibited resistance to multiple antibiotics (levofloxacin, cefepime, aztreonam, imipenem).
- Isolate L1a demonstrated enhanced swimming and pyocyanin production compared to the reference strain PAO1.
- A 9111 bp plasmid (pL1a) was identified, containing a tetracycline resistance gene (tetA) and a red fluorescence protein gene.
- Genomic analysis revealed the isolate belongs to ST549, serotype O5, with 8 drug resistance and 18 multidrug efflux pump genes.
Conclusions:
- This study reports the first isolation of a multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa clinical strain with a rare red fluorescent plasmid.
- The findings highlight the genetic diversity and adaptability of P. aeruginosa, emphasizing the need for continuous surveillance of resistant strains.
- The novel fluorescent plasmid may serve as a valuable tool for future research in bacterial genetics and pathogenesis.
