Unveiling pathogenicity and resistance profiles of non-cholera Vibrio from an urban estuary

Vibrio spp. are endowed with high metabolic diversity, being known for their pathogenicity and ability to acquire and disseminate resistance genes. Here, non-cholera Vibrio spp. were isolated from water samples in Guanabara Bay (GB, Brazil), a recreational estuary. Thirty-five strains non-susceptible to antimicrobials were investigated regarding their pathogenic and resistance profiles. Genes encoding for hemolysins and secretion systems were among the detected virulence traits. Beta-lactam, aminoglycoside, and quinolone resistance genes were investigated in strains phenotypically resistant to these classes, revealing the carriage of the bla_SHV and aac(6')-Ie-aph(2')-Ia genes in 50% and 11.1% of the tested strains, respectively. Integrons (classes 1 and 3) and heavy metal resistance genes were detected, likely reflecting local pollution levels. Genome sequencing of five strains revealed further insights regarding their associated resistome and virulome, confirming phenotypic-derived results. Our findings imply that pathogenic and antimicrobial-resistant Vibrio spp. are found in the GB, thus posing a risk to public health.