Successful expansion of hospital-associated clone of vanA-positive vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis ST9 to an anthropogenically polluted mangrove in Brazil.

Mangrove ecosystems are hotspots of biodiversity, but have been threatened by anthropogenic activities. Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) are nosocomial bacteria classified as high priority by the World Health Organization (WHO). Herein, we describe the identification and genomic characteristics of a vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis strain isolated from a highly impacted mangrove ecosystem of the northeastern Brazilian, in 2021. Genomic analysis confirmed the existence of the transposon Tn1546-vanA and clinically relevant antimicrobial resistance genes, such as streptogramins, tetracycline, phenicols, and fluoroquinolones. Virulome analysis identified several genes associated to adherence, immune modulation, biofilm, and exoenzymes production. The UFSEfl strain was assigned to sequence type (ST9), whereas phylogenomic analysis with publicly available genomes from a worldwide confirmed clonal relatedness with a hospital-associated Brazilian clone. Our findings highlight the successful expansion of hospital-associated VRE in a mangrove area and shed light on the need for strengthening genomic surveillance of WHO priority pathogens in these vital ecosystems.

Genomic features of mecA-positive methicillin-resistant Mammaliicoccus sciuri causing fatal infections in pets admitted to a veterinary intensive care unit.

Methicillin-resistant staphylococci have become leading cause of infectious diseases in humans and animals, being categorized as high priority pathogens by the World Health Organization. Although methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus sciuri (recently moved to Mammaliicoccus sciuri) has been widely reported in companion animals, there is scarce information regarding their clinical impact and genomic features. Herein, we reported the occurrence and genomic characteristics of methicillin-resistant M. sciuri recovered from fatal infections in pets admitted to an intensive care unit of a veterinary hospital, in Brazil. Two M. sciuri strains were isolated from bronchoalveolar lavage samples collected from dog (strain SS01) and cat (strain SS02) presenting with sepsis and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Both isolates displayed a multidrug-resistant profile, whereas whole-genome sequencing analysis confirmed the presence of the mecA gene, along to genetic determinant conferring resistance to macrolides, streptogramins, aminoglycosides, and trimethoprim. For both strains, the mec and crr gene complex shared high identity (≥97%) with analogue sequences from a M. sciuri isolated from a human wound infection, in the Czech Republic. Strains were assigned to the sequence type ST52 and the novel ST74. Phylogenomic analysis revealed a broad host range association of these strains with several hosts and sources, including humans, animals, food, and the environment through different years and geographic locations. Our findings demonstrate that infections caused by mecA-positive M. sciuri strains can be a serious threat for veterinary intensive care patients and the medical staff, with additional implications for One Health approaches.

VanA-type vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium ST1336 isolated from mussels in an anthropogenically impacted ecosystem.

We report the occurrence and genomic features of multidrug-resistant vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium vanA belonging to a novel sequence type (designated ST1336), carrying a Tn1546-like element, in marine brown mussels (Perna perna) from anthropogenically affected coastal waters of the Atlantic coast of Brazil, highlighting a potential source of dissemination for related ecosystems, with additional consequences for seafood safety and quality.

Genomic analysis of MCR-1 and CTX-M-8 co-producing Escherichia coli ST58 isolated from a polluted mangrove ecosystem in Brazil.

OBJECTIVES: Genomic surveillance studies monitoring the dissemination of multidrug-resistant Enterobacteriaceae in polluted aquatic ecosystems are urgently required. The aim of this study was to report the draft genome sequence of an MCR-1 and CTX-M-8 co-producing Escherichia coli isolated from a polluted mangrove ecosystem in Northeast Brazil. METHODS: Total genomic DNA was sequenced on an Illumina NextSeq platform and was assembled using CLC Genomics Workbench. The whole-genome sequence was evaluated through bioinformatics tools available from the Center of Genomic Epidemiology as well as additional in silico analysis. RESULTS: The genome size was calculated at 5089467bp, comprising a total of 5068 protein-coding sequences. The strain was assigned to sequence type 58 (ST58) and revealed the presence of mcr-1, blaCTX-M-8 and other clinically significant genes responsible for conferring resistance to colistin, ß-lactams, trimethoprim and quinolones. In addition, genes conferring resistance to silver (silR) and quaternary ammonium compounds (sugE) were identified. CONCLUSION: These data provide valuable information for comparative genomic analysis regarding the dissemination of MCR-1-producing E. coli at the human-animal-environment interface.

Changed epidemiology during intra and interhospital spread of high-risk clones of vanA-containing Enterococcus in Brazilian hospitals.

We report changes in the molecular epidemiology of vanA-containing Enterococcus during the intra and interhospital spread of high-risk clones, in Southeastern Brazil. While VRE faecalis predominated during 1998 to 2006, a reversal has been observed in the last years, where VRE faecium belonging to ST114, ST203, ST412, ST478 and ST858 have become endemic.

Complete Genome Sequence of Linezolid-Susceptible Staphylococcus haemolyticus Sh29/312/L2, a Clonal Derivative of a Linezolid-Resistant Clinical Strain.

We report the whole-genome sequence (WGS) of an in vitro susceptible derivative revertant mutant from a bloodstream isolate involved in a nosocomial outbreak in Brazil. The WGS comprises 2.5 Mb with 2,500 protein-coding sequences, 16rRNA genes, and 60 tRNA genes.