Patterns of antimicrobial resistance and metal tolerance in environmental Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates and the genomic characterization of the rare O6/ST900 clone

Autor(es)

Ramos, Micaela Santana ; Furlan, Joao Pedro Rueda ; dos Santos, Lucas David Rodrigues ; Rosa, Rafael da Silva ; Savazzi, Eduardo Angelino ; Stehling, Eliana Guedes

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT; v. 195, n. 6, p. 14-pg., 2023-06-01.

Resumo

Pseudomonas aeruginosa can harbor several virulence and antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs). In this regard, virulent and multidrug-resistant (MDR) P. aeruginosa strains are closely related to severe infections. In addition, this species can also carry metal tolerance genes, selecting mainly antimicrobial-resistant strains. The action of several pollutants on the environment may favor the occurrence of antimicrobial-resistant and metal-tolerant strains. Therefore, the aim of this study was to characterize potentially pathogenic, antimicrobial-resistant, and/or metal-tolerant P. aeruginosa isolates from different environmental samples (waters, soils, sediments, or sands) and to perform a whole-genome sequence-based analysis of a rare clone from residual water. Environmental isolates carried virulence genes related to adherence, invasion, and toxin production, and 79% of the isolates harbored at least five virulence genes. In addition, the isolates were resistant to different antimicrobials, including important antipseudomonal agents, and 51% of them were classified as MDR, but only ARGs associated with aminoglycoside resistance were found. Furthermore, some isolates were tolerant mainly to copper, cadmium, and zinc, and presented metal tolerance genes related to these compounds. Whole-genome characterization of an isolate with unique phenotype with simultaneous resistance to antimicrobials and metals showed nonsynonymous mutations in different antimicrobial resistance determinants and revealed a classification of O6/ST900 clone as rare, potentially pathogenic, and predisposed to acquire multidrug resistance genes. Therefore, these results draw attention to the dissemination of potentially pathogenic, antimicrobial-resistant, and metal-tolerant P. aeruginosa isolates in environmental niches, alerting to a potential risk mainly to human health. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 18/01890-3 - Estudo do perfil de resistência, virulência e epidemiológico de Escherichia coli isoladas do meio ambiente
• Beneficiário: João Pedro Rueda Furlan
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Doutorado