Detection and characterisation of 16S rRNA methyltransferase-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa from the UK and Republic of Ireland from 2003-2015
File(s)
Accepted version
Supporting information
Author(s)
Taylor, Emma
Jauneikaite, Elita
Sriskandan, Shiranee
Woodford, Neil
Hopkins, Katie
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
16S rRNA methyltransferase (16S RMTase) genes confer high-level aminoglycoside resistance, reducing treatment options for multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates (n = 221) exhibiting high-level pan-aminoglycoside resistance (amikacin, gentamicin and tobramycin MICs ≥64, ≥32 and ≥32 mg/L, respectively) were screened for 16S RMTase genes to determine their occurrence among isolates submitted to a national reference laboratory from December 2003 to December 2015. 16S RMTase genes were identified using two multiplex PCRs, and whole-genome sequencing (WGS) was used to identify other antibiotic resistance genes, sequence types (STs) and the genetic environment of 16S RMTase genes. 16S RMTase genes were found in 8.6% (19/221) of isolates, with rmtB4 (47.4%; 9/19) being most common, followed by rmtD3 (21.1%; 4/19), rmtF2 (15.8%; 3/19) and single isolates harbouring rmtB1, rmtC and rmtD1. Carbapenemase genes were found in 89.5% (17/19) of 16S RMTase-positive isolates, with blaVIM (52.9%; 9/17) being most common. 16S RMTase genes were found in ‘high-risk’ clones known to harbour carbapenemase genes (ST233, ST277, ST357, ST654 and ST773). Analysis of the genetic environment of 16S RMTase genes identified that IS6100 was genetically linked to rmtB1; IS91 to rmtB4, rmtC or rmtD3; ISCR14 to rmtD1; and rmtF2 was linked to Tn3, IS91 or Tn1721. Although 16S RMTase genes explained only 8.6% of pan-aminoglycoside resistance in the P. aeruginosa isolates studied, the association of 16S RMTase genes with carbapenemase-producers and ‘high-risk’ clones highlights that continued surveillance is required to monitor spread as well as the importance of suppressing the emergence of dually-resistant clones in hospital settings.
Date Issued
2022-03-01
Date Acceptance
2022-02-09
Citation
International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents, 2022, 59 (3)
ISSN
0924-8579
Publisher
Elsevier
Journal / Book Title
International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents
Volume
59
Issue
3
Copyright Statement
Crown Copyright © 2022 Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. This manuscript is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International Licence http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
Sponsor
National Institute for Health Research
National Institute for Health Research
Grant Number
HPRU-2012-10047
HPRU-2012-10047
Subjects
16S RMTase
Aminoglycoside resistance
Carbapenemase
Genetic environment
High-risk clone
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Microbiology
1108 Medical Microbiology
1115 Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
ARTN 106550
Date Publish Online
2022-02-14