Comparative genomics reveals genotype-phenotype concordance and cryptic resistomes in clinical Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) is a major pathogen because of its adaptability. It shows rapid evolution of multidrug resistance (MDR). Phenotype-based diagnostics often fail to detect silent resistance determinants and early adaptive changes. This study integrates phenotypic profiling with whole-genome sequencing (WGS) to examine resistance architecture in clinical isolates from eastern India.

From 1295 culture-positive P. aeruginosa specimens collected at a tertiary care hospital in eastern India. Using predefined criteria, representative MDR and non-MDR isolates were selected, including distinct resistance phenotypes, specimen-source diversity, and hospital and community-acquired settings; multivariate analysis of resistance profiles illustrated phenotypic diversity. Antimicrobial susceptibility assessed using VITEK-2 and Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion, species identity confirmed by 16 S rRNA sequencing, and genomic analysis processed through a reference-guided workflow. Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) determinants were identified through CARD, and phylogenetic tree constructed from 454 publicly available P. aeruginosa genomes.

MDR exhibited greater sequence divergence relative to PA14 (~ 69,000 variants) than the non-MDR isolate (~ 58,700 variants), with > 92% coverage at ≥ 30X depth. Strong genotype-phenotype concordance observed in MDR isolates across five antibiotic classes, associated with β-lactamase variants (PDC-67, OXA-396) and regulatory adaptations (ArmR, cprS). The non-MDR isolate harboured gyrA (T83I) resistance-associated mutations, PDC-1, and OXA-847 without phenotypic expression, indicating silent resistome. Phylogenetically, MDR isolates clustered tightly within the phylogeny, while the non-MDR isolate formed a distinct lineage.

Observed genomic differences align with adaptation under antimicrobial selection, though confirmation requires larger collections. The non-MDR isolate retained a silent resistome. Findings highlight limitations of phenotype-only diagnostics, support genomic data integration, and emphasize transcriptomics for hidden resistance expression and regulatory dynamics.