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Testing the Role of Multicopy Plasmids in the Evolution of Antibiotic Resistance
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Genomic characterization of two carbapenem-resistant Serratia marcescens isolates causing bacteremia: Emergence of

Junli Jia1, Lisha Huang1, Long Zhang1

  • 1Department of Respiratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.

Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology
|February 27, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE) are a global threat. This study details two carbapenem-resistant Serratia marcescens strains from China, identifying KPC-2 carbapenemase on IncR plasmids, crucial for understanding transmission dynamics.

Area of Science:

  • Clinical Microbiology
  • Genomics
  • Antimicrobial Resistance

Background:

  • Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE) pose a significant global health challenge.
  • Limited genomic and plasmid data exist for carbapenem-resistant Serratia marcescens bloodstream infections.
  • Understanding resistance mechanisms and transmission is vital for controlling CPE spread.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the genomic and plasmid features of two carbapenem-resistant Serratia marcescens isolates from bacteremia cases in China.
  • To characterize the antimicrobial resistance profiles and transmission dynamics of these specific isolates.

Main Methods:

  • Blood specimens from two bacteremia patients were analyzed.
  • Multiplex PCR identified carbapenemase genes.
  • Antimicrobial susceptibility testing, whole-genome sequencing (NovaSeq, PacBio), plasmid analysis (S1-PFGE, southern blotting), and ARG prediction (ResFinder) were performed.

Main Results:

  • Two Serratia marcescens isolates (SM768, SM4145) producing KPC-2 carbapenemase were identified from bloodstream infections.
  • Both isolates exhibited resistance to multiple antibiotics.
  • Whole-genome and plasmid analysis revealed blaKPC-2-bearing IncR plasmids and multiple plasmid-borne antimicrobial resistance genes, suggesting a common IncR plasmid ancestor.

Conclusions:

  • The emergence of blaKPC-2-bearing IncR plasmids in China is confirmed.
  • These findings provide critical genomic and plasmid insights into KPC-2-producing Serratia marcescens.
  • Understanding these plasmid dynamics is essential for mitigating the transmission of KPC-2-producing S. marcescens in clinical settings.
Keywords:
CTX-M-14IncRKPC-2bacteremiacarbapenem-resistant S. marcescens

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