Emergence and Characterization of Tigecycline Resistance Gene tet(X4) in ST609 Escherichia coli Isolates from Wastewater in Turkey


KÜREKCİ C., Lu X., CELİL B. G., Disli H. B., Mohsin M., Wang Z., ...More

Microbiology Spectrum, vol.10, no.4, 2022 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 10 Issue: 4
  • Publication Date: 2022
  • Doi Number: 10.1128/spectrum.00732-22
  • Journal Name: Microbiology Spectrum
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, CAB Abstracts, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Directory of Open Access Journals
  • Keywords: blaSHV-12, Escherichia coli, ST609, tet(X4), wastewater
  • Hatay Mustafa Kemal University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Emergence of pathogens harboring tigecycline resistance genes incurs great concerns. Wastewater is recognized as the important reservoir of antimicrobial resistance genes. Here we characterized the phenotypes and genotypes of bacteria carrying tet(X4) from wastewater in Turkey for the first time. Four tet(X4)-positive Escherichia coli isolates were identified and characterized by PCR, Sanger sequencing, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, conjugation assays, Illumina sequencing, nanopore sequencing and bioinformatic analysis. Four tet(X4)-harboring isolates were multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria and the tet(X4) gene was nontransferable in four isolates. Genetic analysis revealed that tet(X4) genes in four isolates were located on plasmids co-harboring two replicons IncFIA(HI1) and IncFIB(K). However, none of the four plasmids carried genes associated with horizontal transfer of plasmids. The coexistence of blaSHV-12-bearing IncX3-type plasmid and tet(X4)harboring plasmid was also found in one isolate. These findings indicate that continuous surveillance of the tet(X4)-bearing isolates in different environments worldwide should be strengthened.