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Detection of a streptogramin A O-acetyltransferase gene (vatD) in the chromosome of Clostridium botulinum isolated from infants in the United States

  • 0National Botulism Laboratory, Enteric Diseases Laboratory Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
Applied and Environmental Microbiology +

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July 22, 2025

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July 22, 2025

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Antimicrobial resistance genes are rarely studied in infant botulism. Whole-genome sequencing detected the vatD gene, linked to antibiotic resistance, in 15% of Clostridium botulinum infant isolates in the US. This is the first report of this gene in these bacteria.

Area Of Science

  • Microbiology
  • Genomics
  • Infectious Diseases

Background

  • Infant botulism is caused by Clostridium botulinum producing neurotoxin (BoNT).
  • Antibiotics are avoided in treatment due to potential symptom exacerbation.
  • Antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) are seldom investigated in C. botulinum.

Purpose Of The Study

  • To report the molecular characterization of C. botulinum isolates harboring the vatD gene.
  • To investigate the presence of ARGs in C. botulinum associated with infant botulism.
  • To highlight the utility of whole-genome sequencing (WGS) in pathogen surveillance.

Main Methods

  • Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of 226 C. botulinum isolates from infant botulism cases (2020-2023).
  • In silico analysis of WGS data to identify antimicrobial resistance genes.
  • Molecular characterization of isolates carrying the vatD gene variant.

Main Results

  • 15% (36/226) of C. botulinum isolates carried a vatD gene variant.
  • The vatD gene confers resistance to streptogramin A antibiotics.
  • This is the first detection of the vatD gene in the chromosome of C. botulinum from US infants.

Conclusions

  • WGS is a powerful tool for genomic surveillance of C. botulinum.
  • The presence of the vatD gene in C. botulinum from infant cases is a significant finding.
  • Further research is needed to understand the implications of ARGs in C. botulinum.

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