Cryptic transmission of ST405 Escherichia coli carrying bla NDM-4 in hospital

Sci Rep. 2018 Jan 10;8(1):390. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-18910-w.

Abstract

Three carbapenem-resistant Escherichia coli were recovered from rectal swabs of different patients in a tertiary hospital and were found carrying bla NDM-4, an uncommon bla NDM variant. Genome sequences of the isolates were obtained using Illumina technology and the long-read MinION sequencer. The isolates belonged to ST405 and phylogenetic group D, a globally distributed lineage associated with antimicrobial resistance. In addition to bla NDM-4, the three isolates carried 14 known resistance genes including the extended-spectrum β-lactamase gene bla CTX-M-15. There were only 1 or 2 SNPs between the isolates, suggesting a common origin and cryptic transmission in hospital. bla NDM-4 was located on a 46.5-kb IncFIA self-transmissible plasmid, which may facilitate further dissemination of bla NDM-4. Two copies of IS26 bracketed a 14.6-kb region containing bla NDM-4 and have the potential to form a composite transposon for mediating the mobilization of bla NDM-4.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics*
  • Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae / classification
  • Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae / isolation & purification
  • Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial
  • Escherichia coli / classification*
  • Escherichia coli / genetics
  • Escherichia coli / isolation & purification
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Phylogeny
  • Plasmids / genetics*
  • Rectum / microbiology*
  • Tertiary Care Centers
  • Whole Genome Sequencing / methods*
  • beta-Lactamases / genetics*

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • beta-Lactamases
  • carbapenemase