First whole genome sequencing of Escherichia coli carrying mcr-1 from pig in Argentina

The objective of this study is to communicate the findings of the first whole genome sequencing of a colistin-resistant Escherichia coli isolate harboring mcr-1 gene obtained from a pig in Argentina. Genomic DNA was sequenced using the MinION Oxford Nanopore platform. The libraries were prepared using a SQK-RBK110-96 protocol. The sequencing process was conducted on a MinION Mk1C MIN 101-C, utilizing a FLO-MIN106 flow cell. The quality of the reads was evaluated using NanoPlot. De novo assembly was conducted using Canu 1.6 and the quality of contigs was evaluated using QUAST. Annotation was performed using Prokka. The CBC20 strain exhibited a colistin MIC of 4 µg/mL. The genome size was 5178653 bp with a GC content of 50,31%. The N50 value was 133,250, while the L50 value was 21. A total of 11,620 genes, 11,518 coding sequences, 77 transfer RNAs and 24 ribosomal RNAs were identified. A serotype O9:H37 with sequence type ST-297 was observed. A total of seven antimicrobial resistance genes were identified, including mcr-1.5, bla TEM-1B, bla EC-18, bla TEM-70, aph(3')-Ia, mph(A) and sul3. The presence of punctual mutations was observed in the genes encoding the proteins GyrA (S83L, D87N) and ParC (S80I). Five distinct plasmid replicon types were identified, including IncFII, IncY, IncFIB, IncX1 and Col440II. Our findings may assist in the comprehension of the mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance, genomic epidemiology and dissemination of mcr-1 gene among animals and environment, which could potentially impact human health.

El objetivo de este estudio es comunicar la primera secuenciación de genoma completo de un aislamiento de Escherichia coli resistente a colistina mediada por el gen mcr-1 obtenido de un cerdo en Argentina. El ADN genómico se secuenció utilizando la plataforma MinION Oxford Nanopore. Las bibliotecas se prepararon utilizando un protocolo SQK-RBK110-96. El proceso de secuenciación se realizó en un MinION Mk1C MIN 101-C, utilizando una flow cell FLO-MIN106. La calidad de las lecturas se evaluó mediante NanoPlot. El ensamblaje de novo se realizó utilizando Canu 1.6 y la calidad de los contigs se evaluó utilizando QUAST. La anotación se realizó utilizando Prokka. CBC20 exhibió una CIM de colistina de 4 µg/mL. El tamaño del genoma fue de 5.178.653 pb con un contenido de GC del 50.31 %. El valor N50 fue 133.250, mientras que el valor L50 fue 21. Se identificaron un total de 11.620 genes, 11.518 secuencias codificantes, 77 ARN de transferencia y 24 ARN ribosómicos. Se observó el serotipo O9:H37 con un secuenciotipo ST-297. Se identificaron siete genes de resistencia, incluyendo mcr-1.5, bla TEM-1B, bla EC-18, bla TEM-70, aph(3')-Ia, mph(A) y sul3. Se observó la presencia de mutaciones puntuales en los genes que codifican las proteínas GyrA (S83L, D87N) y ParC (S80I). Se identificaron cinco tipos distintos de plásmidos, incluidos IncFII, IncY, IncFIB, IncX1 y Col440II. Nuestros hallazgos podrían ayudar a comprender los mecanismos de resistencia antimicrobiana, la epidemiología genómica y la diseminación del gen mcr-1 entre animales y el medio ambiente, lo que potencialmente podría afectar la salud humana.

The Lambda Variant in Argentina: Analyzing the Evolution and Spread of SARS-CoV-2 Lineage C.37.

The second wave of COVID-19 occurred in South America in early 2021 and was mainly driven by Gamma and Lambda variants. In this study, we aimed to describe the emergence and local genomic diversity of the SARS-CoV-2 Lambda variant in Argentina, from its initial entry into the country until its detection ceased. Molecular surveillance was conducted on 9356 samples from Argentina between October 2020 and April 2022, and sequencing, phylogenetic, and phylogeographic analyses were performed. Our findings revealed that the Lambda variant was first detected in Argentina in January 2021 and steadily increased in frequency until it peaked in April 2021, with continued detection throughout the year. Phylodynamic analyses showed that at least 18 introductions of the Lambda variant into the country occurred, with nine of them having evidence of onward local transmission. The spatial--temporal reconstruction showed that Argentine clades were associated with Lambda sequences from Latin America and suggested an initial diversification in the Metropolitan Area of Buenos Aires before spreading to other regions in Argentina. Genetic analyses of genome sequences allowed us to describe the mutational patterns of the Argentine Lambda sequences and detect the emergence of rare mutations in an immunocompromised patient. Our study highlights the importance of genomic surveillance in identifying the introduction and geographical distribution of the SARS-CoV-2 Lambda variant, as well as in monitoring the emergence of mutations that could be involved in the evolutionary leaps that characterize variants of concern.

α6ß4 Integrin Genetic Variations (A380T and R1281W) and Breast Cancer Risk in an Argentinian Population.

The α6ß4 integrin is composed of the α6 and ß4 subunits that are encoded by the ITGα6 and the ITGß4 genes, respectively. The α6ß4 main function is to intervene in lamination and epithelia integrity maintenance by cell-matrix interactions. This integrin appears to have importance in breast cancer malignancy, as well as other epithelial carcinomas. The aim of this work was to investigate the potential role of ITGα6 (A380T) and ITGß4 (R1281W) genetic variations in breast cancer susceptibility, in a female population from the northeast region of Argentina (Misiones). We performed a case-control study of 85 breast cancer patients and 113 cancer-free controls. Genotyping was performed by RFLP-PCR. For ITGα6 (A380T) single nucleotide polymorphism, a high frequency of heterozygous genotype GA in cases compared to controls was observed, achieving values of 48% and 49%, respectively. No association between the A380T SNP and breast cancer development was found (Odds Ratio = 0.92; 95% Confidence Interval = 0.52-1.63; p = 0.884). In conclusion, we did not find evidence of an association between A380T (ITGα6) and the risk of developing breast cancer. The results represent the first report of these genetic variations in breast cancer; therefore, they are an important contribution to the literature.