First Report and Comparative Genomics Analysis of a blaOXA-244-Harboring Escherichia coli Isolate Recovered in the American Continent

Abstract

The carbapenemase OXA-244 is a derivate of OXA-48, and its detection is very difficult in laboratories. Here, we report the identification and genomic analysis of an Escherichia coli isolate (28Eco12) harboring the blaOXA-244 gene identified in Colombia, South America. The 28Eco12 isolate was identified during a retrospective study, and it was recovered from a patient treated in Colombia. The complete nucleotide sequence was established using the PacBio platform. A comparative genomics analysis with other blaOXA-244–harboring Escherichia coli strains was performed. The 28Eco12 isolate belonged to sequence type (ST) 38, and its genome was composed of two molecules, a chromosome of 5,343,367 bp and a plasmid of 92,027 bp, which belonged to the incompatibility group IncY and did not harbor resistance genes. The blaOXA-244 gene was chromosomally encoded and mobilized by an ISR1-related Tn6237 composite transposon. Notably, this transposon was inserted and located within a new genomic island. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a blaOXA-244–harboring Escherichia coli isolate in America. Our results suggest that the introduction of the OXA-244-producing E. coli isolate was through clonal expansion of the ST38 pandemic clone. Other isolates producing OXA-244 could be circulating silently in America.

Multidrug-Resistant Lineage of Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli ST182 With Serotype O169:H41 in Airline Waste

“…The tia gene is often situated on a subtilase-encoding pathogenicity island (SE-PAI) ( Bondì et al, 2017 ; Wyrsch et al, 2020 ), however, in all tia -positive ST182 strains and isolates we found the gene on a putative genomic island (GI) attached to tRNA SEC . Our comparative analysis of this GI and the surrounding region confirmed a previous report that the tRNA SEC appears to be a hotspot for various insertions, including AMR plasmid fragments and the entire ExPEC-associated PAI I 536 ( Abril et al, 2019 ). This locus is significant in the evolution of ETEC.…”

Rapid spread of OXA-244-producing Escherichia coli ST38 in Germany: insights from an integrated molecular surveillance approach; 2017 to January 2020

“…Although, worldwide, OXA-244-producing E. coli were detected in cases in Columbia [10] or cases were reported with epidemiological links to Indonesia [11], our investigations revealed no association with travel. Furthermore, no direct links to animals or certain food items were found.…”

“…Multiple transmission hypotheses can be considered regarding the spread of OXA-244-producing E. coli isolates. The wide dissemination of these isolates in Europe [10,16,17] demonstrates the urgent need for additional investigations including additional data sources as well as enhanced screening capabilities [3].…”

Emergence and Polyclonal Dissemination of OXA-244–Producing Escherichia coli, France

“…Dissemination of ST38 OXA-244–producing E. coli has been observed in many countries in Europe ( 3 – 7 ) and a few other countries around the world ( 12 , 13 ). However, most of these studies focused on ST38.…”