Whole Genome Sequence Analysis of Burkholderia contaminans FFH2055 Strain Reveals the Presence of Putative β-Lactamases

Curr Microbiol. 2019 Apr;76(4):485-494. doi: 10.1007/s00284-019-01653-4. Epub 2019 Feb 19.

Abstract

Burkholderia contaminans is a member of the Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc), a pathogen with increasing prevalence among cystic fibrosis (CF) patients and the cause of numerous outbreaks due to the use of contaminated commercial products. The antibiotic resistance determinants, particularly β-lactamases, have been poorly studied in this species. In this work, we explored the whole genome sequence (WGS) of a B. contaminans isolate (FFH 2055) and detected four putative β-lactamase-encoding genes. In general, these genes have more than 93% identity with β-lactamase genes found in other Bcc species. Two β-lactamases, a class A (Pen-like, suggested name PenO) and a class D (OXA-like), were further analyzed and characterized. Amino acid sequence comparison showed that Pen-like has 82% and 67% identity with B. multivorans PenA and B. pseudomallei PenI, respectively, while OXA-like displayed strong homology with class D enzymes within the Bcc, but only 22-44% identity with available structures from the OXA family. PCR reactions designed to study the presence of these two genes revealed a heterogeneous distribution among clinical and industrial B. contaminans isolates. Lastly, blaPenO gene was cloned and expressed into E. coli to investigate the antibiotic resistance profile and confers an extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) phenotype. These results provide insight into the presence of β-lactamases in B. contaminans, suggesting they play a role in antibiotic resistance of these bacteria.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
  • Bacterial Proteins / chemistry
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics*
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism
  • Burkholderia Infections / microbiology
  • Burkholderia cepacia complex / drug effects
  • Burkholderia cepacia complex / enzymology*
  • Burkholderia cepacia complex / genetics*
  • Cystic Fibrosis / microbiology
  • Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial
  • Escherichia coli / drug effects
  • Escherichia coli / genetics
  • Genome, Bacterial / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Models, Molecular
  • Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
  • beta-Lactamases / chemistry
  • beta-Lactamases / genetics*
  • beta-Lactamases / metabolism

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Bacterial Proteins
  • beta-Lactamases