Genomic Insight of VIM-harboring IncA Plasmid from a Clinical ST69 Escherichia coli Strain in Italy

摘要

: VIM (Verona Integron-encoded Metallo-beta-lactamase) is a member of the Metallo-Beta-Lactamases (MBLs), and is able to hydrolyze all beta-lactams antibiotics, except for monobactams, and including carbapenems. Here we characterize a VIM-producing IncA plasmid isolated from a clinical ST69 strain from an Italian Long-Term Care Facility (LTCF) inpatient. : An antimicrobial susceptibility test and conjugation assay were carried out, and the transferability of the gene was confirmed in the transconjugant. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of the strain 550 was performed using the Sequel I platform. Genome assembly was performed using “Microbial Assembly”. Genomic analysis was conducted by uploading the contigs to ResFinder and PlasmidFinder databases. Assembly resulted in three complete circular contigs: the chromosome (4,962,700 bp), an IncA plasmid (p550_IncA_VIM_1; 162,608 bp), harboring genes coding for aminoglycoside resistance ( , , , , ), beta-lactam resistance ( , ), macrolides resistance ( ), phenicol resistance ( ), quinolones resistance ( ), sulphonamide resistance ( , ), and trimethoprim resistance ( ), and an IncK/Z plasmid (p550_IncB_O_K_Z; 100,306 bp), free of antibiotic resistance genes. The increase in reports of IncA plasmids bearing different antimicrobial resistance genes highlights the overall important role of IncA plasmids in disseminating carbapenemase genes, with a preference for the gene in Italy.