Nationwide genome surveillance of carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Japan.

Japan is a country with an approximate 10% prevalence rate of carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CRPA). Currently, a comprehensive overview of the genotype and phenotype patterns of CRPA in Japan is lacking. Herein, we conducted genome sequencing and quantitative antimicrobial susceptibility testing for 382 meropenem-resistant CRPA isolates that were collected from 78 hospitals across Japan from 2019 to 2020. CRPA exhibited susceptibility rates of 52.9%, 26.4%, and 88.0% against piperacillin-tazobactam, ciprofloxacin, and amikacin, respectively, whereas 27.7% of CRPA isolates was classified as difficult-to-treat resistance P. aeruginosa. Of the 148 sequence types detected, ST274 (9.7%) was predominant, followed by ST235 (7.6%). The proportion of urine isolates in ST235 was higher than that in other STs (P = 0.0056, χ2 test). Only 4.1% of CRPA isolates carried the carbapenemase genes: blaGES (2) and blaIMP (13). One ST235 isolate carried the novel blaIMP variant blaIMP-98 in the chromosome. Regarding chromosomal mutations, 87.1% of CRPA isolates possessed inactivating or other resistance mutations in oprD, and 28.8% showed mutations in the regulatory genes (mexR, nalC, and nalD) for the MexAB-OprM efflux pump. Additionally, 4.7% of CRPA isolates carried a resistance mutation in the PBP3-encoding gene ftsI. The findings from this study and other surveillance studies collectively demonstrate that CRPA exhibits marked genetic diversity and that its multidrug resistance in Japan is less prevailed than in other regions. This study contributes a valuable data set that addresses a gap in genotype/phenotype information regarding CRPA in the Asia-Pacific region, where the epidemiological background markedly differs between regions.

Antimicrobial use and combination of resistance phenotypes in bacteraemic Escherichia coli in primary care: a study based on Japanese national data in 2018.

BACKGROUND: Antimicrobial use (AMU) in primary care is a contributing factor to the emergence of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. We assessed the potential effects of AMU on the prevalence of a combination of resistance phenotypes in bacteraemic Escherichia coli in outpatient care settings between primary care facilities ('clinics') and hospitals. METHODS: Population-weighted total AMU calculated from the national database was expressed as DDDs per 1000 inhabitants per day (DID). National data for all routine microbiological test results were exported from the databases of a major commercial clinical laboratory, including 16 484 clinics, and the Japan Nosocomial Infections Surveillance, including 1947 hospitals. AMU and the prevalence of combinations of resistance phenotypes in bacteraemic E. coli isolates were compared between clinics and hospitals. RESULTS: The five most common bacteria isolated from patients with bacteraemia were the same in clinics, outpatient settings and inpatient settings in hospitals, with E. coli as the most frequent. Oral third-generation cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones were the top two AMU outpatient drugs, except for macrolides, and resulted in at least three times higher AMU in clinics than in hospitals. The percentage of E. coli isolates resistant to both drugs in clinics (18.7%) was 5.6% higher than that in hospitals (13.1%) (P < 10-8). CONCLUSIONS: Significant AMU, specifically of oral third-generation cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones, in clinics is associated with a higher prevalence of E. coli isolates resistant to both drugs. This study provides a basis for national interventions to reduce inappropriate AMU in primary care settings.

Distribution, trends, and antifungal susceptibility of Candida species causing candidemia in Japan, 2010-2019: A retrospective observational study based on national surveillance data.

The increasing incidence of candidemia and the emergence of drug-resistant Candida species are major concerns worldwide. Therefore, long-term surveillance studies are required. Here, we provide one of the largest longitudinal overviews of the trends in the prevalence of Candida species using national data of 57 001 candidemia isolates obtained from > 2000 hospitals for the 2010-2019 period in the Japan Nosocomial Infections Surveillance database. The proportion of Candida species, except Candida krusei and Candida guilliermondii, was almost the same during the study period. The proportion of C. guilliermondii surpassed that of C. krusei in 2014. The incidence of candidemia due to C. albicans (P < 0.0001), C. parapsilosis (P = 0.0002), and C. tropicalis (P < 0.0001) have decreased significantly over this period. Azole susceptibility of C. tropicalis was low, with 17.8% of isolates resistant to fluconazole and 13.5% resistant to voriconazole. The micafungin susceptibility of C. glabrata was low, with 8.0% of isolates showing resistance. The resistance rate of C. krusei toward amphotericin B fluctuated considerably (between 3.2% and 35.7%) over this period. The incidence rate of candidemia caused by C. parapsilosis and C. guilliermondii in hospitals responsible for bone marrow transplantation was significantly higher than that in other hospitals. Overall, our study suggests that in Japan, the species distribution of Candida was almost the same in this period and similar to that reported in North America and Europe. A relatively high resistance to azoles and micafungin was observed in C. glabrata, C. tropicalis, and C. krusei isolates, which require continued surveillance.

This study verifies that the proportion of Candida species in Japan was almost the same from 2010­2019. A relatively higher resistance to azoles and micafungin was observed for C. glabrata, C. tropicalis, and C. krusei isolates.

Association between the frequency of surgeries for video-assisted thoracic surgery and the incidence of consequent surgical site infections: a retrospective observational study based on national surveillance data.

BACKGROUND: The association between the frequency of surgeries and the incidence of surgical site infections (SSIs) has been reported for various surgeries. However, no previous study has explored this association among video-assisted thoracic surgeries (VATS). Hence, we aimed to investigate the association between the frequency of surgeries and SSI in video-assisted thoracic surgeries. METHODS: We analyzed the data of 26,878 thoracic surgeries, including 21,154 VATS, which were collected during a national surveillance in Japan between 2014 and 2018. The frequency of surgeries per hospital department was categorized into low (< 50/year), moderate (50-100/ year), and high (> 100/year). Chi-squared test or Fisher's exact test was used for discrete explanatory variables, whereas Wilcoxon's rank-sum test or Kruskal-Wallis test was used for continuous explanatory variables. Univariate analysis of the department groups was conducted to explore confounding factors associated with both SSIs and the department groups. We used a multiple logistic regression model focusing on VATS and stratified by the National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance System (NNIS) risk index. RESULTS: The rates of SSIs in the hospital groups with low, moderate, and high frequency of surgeries were 1.39, 1.05, and 1.28%, respectively. In the NNIS risk index 1 stratum, the incidence of SSIs was significantly lower in the moderate-frequency of surgeries group than that in the other groups (odds ratio [OR]: vs. low-frequency of surgeries: 2.48 [95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.20-5.13], P = 0.0143; vs. high-frequency of surgeries: 2.43 [95% CI: 1.44-4.11], P = 0.0009). In the stratum of NNIS risk indices 2 and 3, the incidence of SSI was significantly higher in the low-frequency of surgeries group (OR: 4.83, 95% CI: 1.47-15.93; P = 0.0095). CONCLUSION: The result suggests that for departments with low-frequency of surgeries, an increase in the frequency of surgeries to > 50 per department annually potentially leads to a decrease in the incidence of SSIs. This occurs through an increase in the experience of the departmental surgeons and contributes to the improvement of VATS outcomes in thoracic surgeries.

National trend of blood-stream infection attributable deaths caused by Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli in Japan.

There has been scarce evidence about deaths due to blood stream infection (BSI) in Japan so far. The main objective of this study is to understand the epidemiological trend of deaths caused by BSIs due to Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli including Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and fluoroquinolone-resistant E. coli (FQREC) at national level. We annually estimated the number of BSI caused by S. aureus and E. coli between 2011 and 2017 across Japan using comprehensive data of bacterial culturing and drug susceptibilities collected in Japan Nosocomial Infection Surveillance (JANIS). The number of death was estimated by using BSI mortality obtained from previous studies in Japan. The number of BSI death attributable to S. aureus was estimated to 17,412 in 2011 and 17,157 in 2017, respectively, out of the whole population (126.8 million) in Japan. Among them, cases attributed to MRSA accounted for 5924 (34.0%) in 2011, and decreased to 4224 (24.6%) cases in 2017. On the other hand, the number of BSI death attributable to E. coli was estimated to 9044 in 2011 and increased to 14,016 in 2017. Among them, cases attributed to FQREC accounted for 2045 (22.6%) in 2011 and increased to 3915 (27.9%) cases in 2017. The number of BSI death attributable to MRSA has been decreasing and that attributable to FQREC has been increasing. This study provides the first annual estimate of disease burden of BSI caused by antimicrobial resistant (AMR) bacteria in Japan, and basis for formulating health policy to deal with AMR.

Active surveillance in response to the identification of a single carbapenemase-producing Escherichia coli at a Japanese university hospital.

This report described the experience of active surveillance culture implemented in response to the identification of a single carbapenemase-producing Escherichia coli in a Japanese university hospital. It revealed a horizontal transmission event and an additional asymptomatic carrier of carbapenemase-producing Escherichia coli with unique drug susceptibility and resistance gene profiles. Early implementation of active surveillance culture as a part of multifaceted infection control measures appeared to be useful to control further transmission of carbapenemase-producing Escherichia coli even in the low endemic facility. Further investigations on the timing and usefulness of active surveillance culture in the control of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae would be warranted.

Pneumococcal biliary tract infections - How rare are they?

Pneumococcal biliary tract infections (PBTIs) were reported as rare due to the bacterium's bile solubility. The purpose of this study was to determine the occurrence and clinical characteristics of PBTIs. A retrospective case series review was conducted from January 2006 to August 2014 at a tertiary referral university hospital in Japan. Patients with a blood or bile culture positive for Streptococcus pneumoniae diagnosed with definite cholangitis or cholecystitis according to Tokyo Guideline 2013 were enrolled in this study. Data on clinical information, treatments, and outcomes were collected. During 104 months, 48 cases of positive blood cultures and 13 cases of positive bile cultures were recorded, and after excluding 43 and 5 of these, respectively, a total of 10 patients were diagnosed with PBTI. Most patients (9/10) had biliary tract problems and biliary devices in place. PBTIs were not rare; conversely, they were a relatively common cause of pneumococcal bacteremia in this center treating a high volume of biliary tract illnesses.

Effects of coronavirus disease 2019 on the spread of respiratory-transmitted human-to-human bacteria.

OBJECTIVES: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has necessitated significant changes in medical systems, social behaviours, and non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs). We aimed to determine the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on changes in the epidemiology of respiratory-transmitted bacteria that have been unexplored. METHODS: We utilised a comprehensive national surveillance database from 2018 to 2021 to compare monthly number of patients with four respiratory-transmitted human-to-human bacteria (Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, and Streptococcus pyogenes) before and after the COVID-19 pandemic, stratified by specimen sources and age groups. RESULTS: The incidence of detected patients with S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae, and S. pyogenes from both respiratory and blood cultures significantly decreased from 2019 to 2020. In 2021, the incidence of detected patients with the respiratory-transmitted bacterial species, except for S. pyogenes, from respiratory cultures, increased again from April to July, primarily affecting the 0-4-year age group. CONCLUSIONS: Our comprehensive national surveillance data analysis demonstrates the dynamic changes and effects of NPIs on respiratory-transmitted bacteria during the COVID-19 pandemic, with variations observed among species, specimen sources, and age groups.

Comparison of disease and economic burden between MRSA infection and MRSA colonization in a university hospital: a retrospective data integration study.

BACKGROUND: Although there is a growing concern and policy regarding infections or colonization caused by resistant bacteria, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), the prognosis of MRSA infections compared to that of methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) infections remains controversial. Moreover, there have not been any studies comparing both the burden of disease and its impact on the healthcare economy between MRSA infection and colonization while adjusting for confounding factors. These comparisons are crucial for developing effective infection control measures and healthcare policies. We aimed to compare the disease and economic burden between MRSA and MSSA infections and between MRSA infection and colonization. METHODS: We retrospectively investigated data of 496 in-patients with MRSA or MSSA infections and of 1178 in-patients with MRSA infections or MRSA colonization from a university hospital in Japan from 2016 to 2021. We compared in-hospital mortality, length of stay, and hospital charges between in-patients with MRSA and MSSA infections and those with MRSA infections and MRSA colonization using multiple regressions. We combined surveillance data, including all microbiological test results, data on patients with infections, treatment histories, and clinical outcomes, to create the datasets. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in in-hospital mortality rates between matched MRSA vs. MSSA infections and MRSA infection vs. colonization. On the contrary, the adjusted effects of the MRSA infection compared to those of MSSA infection on length of stay and hospital charges were 1.21-fold (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03-1.42, P = 0.019) and 1.70-fold (95% CI 1.39-2.07, P < 0.00001), respectively. The adjusted effects of the MRSA infection compared to those of MRSA colonization on length of stay and hospital charges were 1.41-fold (95% CI 1.25-1.58, P < 0.00001) and 1.53-fold (95% CI 1.33-1.75, P < 0.00001), respectively. Regarding confounding factors, hemodialysis or hemofiltration was consistently identified and adjusted for in the multiple regression analyses comparing MRSA and MSSA infections, as well as MRSA infection and MRSA colonization. CONCLUSIONS: MRSA infection was associated with longer length of stay and higher hospital charges than both MSSA infection and MRSA colonization. Furthermore, hemodialysis or hemofiltration was identified as a common underlying factor contributing to increased length of stay and hospital charges.

Exploring the effects of antimicrobial treatment on the gut and oral microbiomes and resistomes from elderly long-term care facility residents via shotgun DNA sequencing.

Monitoring antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and understanding the effects of antimicrobial drugs on the human microbiome and resistome are crucial for public health. However, no study has investigated the association between antimicrobial treatment and the microbiome-resistome relationship in long-term care facilities, where residents act as reservoirs of ARB but are not included in the national surveillance for ARB. We conducted shotgun metagenome sequencing of oral and stool samples from long-term care facility residents and explored the effects of antimicrobial treatment on the human microbiome and resistome using two types of comparisons: cross-sectional comparisons based on antimicrobial treatment history in the past 6 months and within-subject comparisons between stool samples before, during and 2-4 weeks after treatment using a single antimicrobial drug. Cross-sectional analysis revealed two characteristics in the group with a history of antimicrobial treatment: the archaeon Methanobrevibacter was the only taxon that significantly increased in abundance, and the total abundance of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) was also significantly higher. Within-subject comparisons showed that taxonomic diversity did not decrease during treatment, suggesting that the effect of the prescription of a single antimicrobial drug in usual clinical treatment on the gut microbiota is likely to be smaller than previously thought, even among very elderly people. Additional analysis of the detection limit of ARGs revealed that they could not be detected when contig coverage was <2.0. This study is the first to report the effects of usual antimicrobial treatments on the microbiome and resistome of long-term care facility residents.

Distribution, Trends, and Antimicrobial Susceptibility of Bacteroides, Clostridium, Fusobacterium, and Prevotella Species Causing Bacteremia in Japan During 2011-2020: A Retrospective Observational Study Based on National Surveillance Data.

Background: The increasing prevalence of anaerobic bacteremia is a major concern worldwide and requires longitudinal monitoring. Methods: We present one of the largest and longest longitudinal studies on the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance of Bacteroides, Clostridium, Fusobacterium, and Prevotella spp. isolated from blood culture samples using national comprehensive surveillance data in Japan during 2011-2020 as part of the Japan Nosocomial Infections Surveillance. Results: Data for 41 949 Bacteroides spp., 40 603 Clostridium spp., 7013 Fusobacterium spp., and 5428 Prevotella spp. isolates were obtained. The incidences of bacteremia caused by Bacteroides fragilis, Clostridium perfringens, and Fusobacterium nucleatum significantly increased during the period (P < .0001). Among the 20 species analyzed, 18 showed no significant changes in susceptibility over time, including B. fragilis, C perfringens, and F. nucleatum. However, resistance to clindamycin increased in B. thetaiotaomicron (P = .0312), and resistance to ampicillin increased in B. ovatus (P = .0008). Conclusions: Our comprehensive national surveillance data analysis demonstrated a continuous increase in the incidence of anaerobic bacteremia, particularly in B. fragilis, C. perfringens, and F. nucleatum. This may be linked to the increasing number of colorectal cancer cases or advancing methods for species identification and susceptibility testing, requiring cautious interpretation. The discovery of an upsurge in anaerobic bacteremia and potential alterations in susceptibility highlights the necessity for more extensive studies in this field.

Association between the proportion of laparoscopic approaches for digestive surgeries and the incidence of consequent surgical site infections, 2009-2019: A retrospective observational study based on national surveillance data in Japan.

BACKGROUND: Surgical site infections (SSIs) are among the most common healthcare-associated infections. Laparoscopy is increasingly being used in various surgical procedures. However, no study has examined the association between the proportion of laparoscopic procedures and the incidence of SSIs in digestive surgery using nationwide surveillance data. METHODS: We retrospectively investigated national SSI surveillance data from the Japan Nosocomial Infections Surveillance between 2009 and 2019. The annual trend of the SSI rate and the proportion of laparoscopic procedures were assessed, focusing on five major digestive surgeries. This was based on data from 109,544 (appendix surgery), 206,459 (gallbladder surgery), 60,225 (small bowel surgery), 363,677 (colon surgery), and 134,695 (rectal surgery) procedures. The effect of a 10% increase in the proportion of laparoscopic procedures on the reduction of the SSI rate was estimated using mixed-effect logistic regression. FINDINGS: The average SSI rate of the five digestive surgeries decreased from 11.8% in 2009 to 8.1% in 2019. The proportion of laparoscopic procedures in each of the five digestive surgeries increased continuously (p<0.001). The SSI rate for laparoscopic procedures was always lower than that for open procedures. The results were consistent between all and core hospitals participating in the surveillance. The odds ratios of the 10% increase in the proportion of laparoscopic procedures for five digestive surgeries were always <0.950 (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: An increase in the proportion of laparoscopic procedures was associated with a reduction in the SSI rate in digestive surgeries.

Genomic Epidemiological Analysis of Antimicrobial-Resistant Bacteria with Nanopore Sequencing.

Antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) bacterial infections caused by clinically important bacteria, including ESKAPE pathogens (Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter species) and mycobacteria (Mycobacterium tuberculosis and nontuberculous mycobacteria), have become a global public health threat. Their epidemic and pandemic clones often accumulate useful accessory genes in their genomes, such as AMR genes (ARGs) and virulence factor genes (VFGs). This process is facilitated by horizontal gene transfer among microbial communities via mobile genetic elements (MGEs), such as plasmids and phages. Nanopore long-read sequencing allows easy and inexpensive analysis of complex bacterial genome structures, although some aspects of sequencing data calculation and genome analysis methods are not systematically understood. Here we describe the latest and most recommended experimental and bioinformatics methods available for the construction of complete bacterial genomes from nanopore sequencing data and the detection and classification of genotypes of bacterial chromosomes, ARGs, VFGs, plasmids, and other MGEs based on their genomic sequences for genomic epidemiological analysis of AMR bacteria.

National genomic surveillance integrating standardized quantitative susceptibility testing clarifies antimicrobial resistance in Enterobacterales.

Antimicrobial resistance is a global health concern; Enterobacterales resistant to third-generation cephalosporins (3GCs) and carbapenems are of the highest priority. Here, we conducted genome sequencing and standardized quantitative antimicrobial susceptibility testing of 4,195 isolates of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae resistant to 3GCs and Enterobacterales with reduced meropenem susceptibility collected across Japan. Our analyses provided a complete classification of 3GC resistance mechanisms. Analyses with complete reference plasmids revealed that among the blaCTX-M extended-spectrum ß-lactamase genes, blaCTX-M-8 was typically encoded in highly similar plasmids. The two major AmpC ß-lactamase genes were blaCMY-2 and blaDHA-1. Long-read sequencing of representative plasmids revealed that approximately 60% and 40% of blaCMY-2 and blaDHA-1 were encoded by such plasmids, respectively. Our analyses identified strains positive for carbapenemase genes but phenotypically susceptible to carbapenems and undetectable by standard antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Systematic long-read sequencing enabled reconstruction of 183 complete plasmid sequences encoding three major carbapenemase genes and elucidation of their geographical distribution stratified by replicon types and species carrying the plasmids and potential plasmid transfer events. Overall, we provide a blueprint for a national genomic surveillance study that integrates standardized quantitative antimicrobial susceptibility testing and characterizes resistance determinants.

＜Editors' Choice＞ Multicenter survey for carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales in central Japan.

Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE) raise concerns about the treatment options for infectious diseases and infection control. We conducted a multicenter study to clarify the molecular epidemiology of CPE in the Aichi Prefecture during the first 3-month period from 2015 to 2019. Carbapenemase production was screened using a modified carbapenem inactivation method, and the genotypes of the carbapenemase genes were determined by polymerase chain reaction sequencing. Genetic relatedness was analyzed using multilocus sequence typing (MLST). Twenty-four hospitals participated in this study. Of the 56,494 Enterobacterales strains detected during the study period, 341 (0.6%) that met the susceptibility criteria were analyzed. Sixty-five of the 341 strains were determined to be CPE, with an incidence rate of 0.12% (65/56,494). The bacterial species responsible for CPE were Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 24), Enterobacter cloacae complex (n = 23), Klebsiella oxytoca (n = 10), and Escherichia coli (n = 8). Most of the carbapenemase genotypes were IMP-1 (58/65), and only three were IMP-6 types. Three E. coli strains that produced NDM-5 were detected. MLST analysis showed that Sequence type (ST) 78 was predominant in E. cloacae complex CPE (14/23, 60.9%). Meanwhile, various STs were detected in carbapenemase-producing (CP) K. pneumoniae, of which ST37 and ST517 were the most common. The incidence rate of CPE in this region was comparable to national data. This 3-month surveillance revealed the spread of ST78 of CP E. cloacae complex and ST517 and ST592 of CP K. pneumoniae across hospitals, indicating the need to strengthen regional infection control programs.

Emergence of mobile tigecycline resistance gene tet(X4)-harbouring Shewanella xiamenensis in a water environment.

OBJECTIVES: Tigecycline resistance mediated by the mobile tigecycline-inactivating enzyme gene tet(X) in Gram-negative bacteria is an emerging concern for global public health. However, limited information is available on the distribution of tet(X) in the natural environment. In this study, we investigated the presence of tet(X) in environmental Gram-negative bacteria. METHODS: A carbapenem- and tigecycline-resistant Shewanella xiamenensis isolate (NUITM-VS1) was obtained from an urban drainage in Hanoi, Vietnam, in March 2021. Whole-genome sequencing analysis was performed by long- and short-read sequencing, resulting in a complete genome sequence. Antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) in the genome were detected based on the custom ARG database, including all known tigecycline resistance genes. RESULTS: Shewanella xiamenensis isolate NUITM-VS1 harboured the tet(X4) gene and the blaOXA-48 carbapenemase gene on the chromosome. tet(X4) was flanked by IS91 family transposase genes, suggesting that the acquisition of tet(X4) was mediated by this mobile gene element (MGE), whereas no MGE was found surrounding blaOXA-48, consistent with previous findings that blaOXA-48-like ß-lactamase genes are species-specific intrinsic ARGs in Shewanella spp. CONCLUSION: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a tet(X4)-harbouring Shewanella sp. isolate. Our results provide genetic evidence of the complexity of the dynamics of clinically important ARGs among bacteria in the water environment.

Japan Nosocomial Infections Surveillance (JANIS): Current Status, International Collaboration, and Future Directions for a Comprehensive Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System.

Japan Nosocomial Infections Surveillance (JANIS) is one of the largest national antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance systems in the world. The JANIS Clinical Laboratory division collects comprehensive specimen-based data from diagnostic microbiology laboratories of participating hospitals to monitor the isolation rate of 11 major bacteria and specific AMR bacteria, and creates antibiograms of approximately 20 bacterial species. Data on the JANIS web database system are also annually tabulated and shared with the WHO Global Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System. To create a network of international AMR surveillance systems among Asian countries, Japan is developing an international web database system named ASIan Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Network (ASIARS-Net) based on the JANIS system; ASIARS-Net is an open-source database and confidentially available at almost no cost. JANIS continues to evolve in multiple directions; some are discussed at the end of this review.

Long-read metagenomics using PromethION uncovers oral bacteriophages and their interaction with host bacteria.

Bacteriophages (phages), or bacterial viruses, are very diverse and highly abundant worldwide, including as a part of the human microbiomes. Although a few metagenomic studies have focused on oral phages, they relied on short-read sequencing. Here, we conduct a long-read metagenomic study of human saliva using PromethION. Our analyses, which integrate both PromethION and HiSeq data of >30 Gb per sample with low human DNA contamination, identify hundreds of viral contigs; 0-43.8% and 12.5-56.3% of the confidently predicted phages and prophages, respectively, do not cluster with those reported previously. Our analyses demonstrate enhanced scaffolding, and the ability to place a prophage in its host genomic context and enable its taxonomic classification. Our analyses also identify a Streptococcus phage/prophage group and nine jumbo phages/prophages. 86% of the phage/prophage group and 67% of the jumbo phages/prophages contain remote homologs of antimicrobial resistance genes. Pan-genome analysis of the phages/prophages reveals remarkable diversity, identifying 0.3% and 86.4% of the genes as core and singletons, respectively. Furthermore, our study suggests that oral phages present in human saliva are under selective pressure to escape CRISPR immunity. Our study demonstrates the power of long-read metagenomics utilizing PromethION in uncovering bacteriophages and their interaction with host bacteria.

Complete genome sequencing and comparative plasmid analysis of KPC-2-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from hospital sewage water in Japan.

OBJECTIVES: The Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (blaKPC) gene is one of the most widespread carbapenemase genes in the world. However, there are few reports on KPC-producing bacteria in Japan. The aim of this study was therefore to investigate KPC-producing K. pneumoniae in Japan. METHODS: A KPC-2-producingK. pneumoniae strain (KAM260) was isolated from hospital sewage water in Japan in 2018. The complete genome was determined by whole-genome sequencing. Subsequent comparative sequence analysis of the blaKPC-2-carrying plasmid was performed. RESULTS: Klebsiella pneumoniae KAM260, belonging to sequence type 3026 (ST3026), harboured the blaKPC-2 gene in 114.6-kbp plasmid pKAM260_2 with IncFIB(pQIL) and IncFII(K) replicons. pKAM260_2 was highly identical to pKpQIL-like plasmids, which carry blaKPC genes and have spread worldwide. pKAM260_2 had functional conjugation-associated genes and was transferable to Escherichia coli. CONCLUSION: pKAM260_2, the self-transmissible plasmid carrying theblaKPC-2 gene, was detected from hospital sewage water in Japan and was characterised as a pKpQIL-like plasmid. This plasmid needs to be monitored in Japan in the future owing to its high diffusivity.

Human pathogenic Mycobacterium kansasii (former subtype I) with zoonotic potential isolated from a diseased indoor pet cat, Japan.

Nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) infections in humans have increased in prevalence in recent decades. Mycobacterium kansasii is one of the most prevalent human pathogenic NTM species worldwide. Herein, we report the first isolation of M. kansasii from an indoor domestic cat in Japan. Comparative genome sequence analysis of the feline isolate showed this pathogen is genetically identical to human pathogenic M. kansasii. This finding suggests that M. kansasii has a potential risk of zoonoses and requires the "One Health" approach to control NTM infection.