Genomic features of a multidrug-resistant and mercury-tolerant environmental Escherichia coli recovered after a mining dam disaster in South America

Author(s)

Gaeta, Natalia C. ; de Carvalho, Daniel U. ; Fontana, Herrison ; Sano, Elder ; Moura, Quezia ; Fuga, Bruna ; Munoz, Patricio Montecinos ; Gregory, Lilian ; Lincopan, Nilton

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Science of The Total Environment; v. 823, p. 9-pg., 2022-06-01.

Abstract

Mining dam disasters contribute to the contamination of aquatic environments, impacting associated ecosystems and wildlife. A multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli strain (B2C) was isolated from a river water sample in Brazil after the Mariana mining dam disaster. The genome was sequenced using the Illumina MiSeq platform, and de novo assembled using Unicycler. Resistome, virulome, and plasmidome were predicted using bioinformatics tools. Data analysis revealed that E. coli B2C belonged to sequence type ST219 and phylogroup E. Strikingly, a broad resistome (antibiotics, hazardous heavy metals, and biocides) was predicted, including the presence of the clinically relevant blaCTX-M-2 extended-spectrum j3-lactamase (ESBL) gene, qacE Delta 1 efflux pump gene, and the mer (mercury resistance) operon. SNP-based analysis revealed that environmental E. coli B2C was clustered along to ESBL-negative E. coli strains of ST219 isolated between 1980 and 2021 from livestock in the United States of America. Acquisition of clinically relevant genes by ST219 seems to be a recent genetic event related to anthropogenic activities, where polluted water environments may contribute to its dissemination at the human-animal-environment interface. In addition, the presence of genes conferring resistance to heavy metals could be related to environmental pollution from mining activities. Antimicrobial resistance genes could be essential biomarkers of environmental exposure to human and mining pollution. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 16/23204-9 - Clinical evaluation of bovines exposed to high concentration of heavy metals and its relationship with intestinal, ruminal and respiratory microbiota change and the development of antibiotic resistance in bacteria
• Grantee: Natália Carrillo Gaeta
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 20/08224-9 - OneBR (One Health Brazilian Resistance): integrated genomic database for surveillance, diagnosis, management and treatment of antimicrobial resistance in the human-animal-environment interface, in Brazil
• Grantee: Nilton Erbet Lincopan Huenuman
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants