Horizontal Gene Transfer of blaNDM-5 Among Three Different Enterobacteriaceae Species Isolated from a Single Patient

In this study, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella oxytoca, and Citrobacter amalonaticus carrying blaNDM-5 were isolated from a single patient.

The antibiotic susceptibility of the isolates was evaluated by using E-test and agar dilution methods, and blaNDM-5 was identified in genomic and plasmid DNA by using polymerase chain reaction and sequencing. Whole genome sequencing and de novo assembly were used for species characterization, resistance gene identification, and plasmid analysis.

All three species had identical plasmids, which were similar to pEC463-NDM5, a plasmid harboring blaNDM-5. Transconjugation experiments confirmed the horizontal gene transfer of blaNDM-5, highlighting the need for a close monitoring of Enterobacteriaceae species harboring this gene.

This study conclusively demonstrates the propensity for horizontal gene transfer of blaNDM-5 among Enterobacteriaceae species, underlining the importance of vigilant monitoring to combat antibiotic resistance.