Nosocomial Pluralibacter gergoviae Isolates Expressing NDM and KPC Carbapenemases Characterized Using Whole-Genome Sequencing

Genomic Insights into Pluralibacter gergoviae Sheds Light on Emergence of a Multidrug-Resistant Species Circulating between Clinical and Environmental Settings

“…Based on the P. gergoviae resistome, it is possible to predict antimicrobial susceptibility and highlight the multidrug resistance phenotype. Although some mcr genes do not confer resistance to polymyxins in certain bacterial species [29], good correlation between the genotypic and phenotypic resistance for other antimicrobials was documented [30], including in clinical P. gergoviae strains [24]. Furthermore, antimicrobial susceptibility may vary substantially from predictions and may even be underestimated since mutational mechanisms were not investigated in this study, suggesting that MDR strains could still be classified as extensively drug-resistant or pandrug-resistant.…”

“…Curiously, the first report of AMR-related plasmids in P. gergoviae was published in the United States in 2022. In this report, large IncA and IncHI1B/FIB plasmids carrying bla KPC-4 and bla NDM-1 , respectively, were identified as referring to BWH-P-GER-1 and BWH-P-GER-6 strains [24]. Furthermore, IncX3 plasmids have great conjugation ability and high stability, and have been identified as carrying ESBL-or carbapenemase-encoding genes in P. gergoviae strains, reinforcing the importance of P. gergoviae in the dissemination of ARGs within Enterobacteriaceae [25].…”

“…Previous studies have reported that P. gergoviae causes opportunistic infections and even nosocomial outbreaks [11,31,32]; however, virulence genotyping strengthened that P. gergoviae is a low-virulence bacterium [24], although virulence databases are still limited in the case of this species. Indeed, the role of virulence genes in the pathogenicity of this species needs to be further investigated.…”

Surgical wound infection by Pluralibacter gergoviae in a diabetic patient

“…Its natural resistance to preservatives like parabens and triclosan used in cosmetic products explains its ability to grow and contaminate these products. 2,6,7 However, infection rates due to use of these products cannot be derived due to lack of epidemiological data at present. The first incidence of nosocomial outbreak was reported in France in 1976 where it caused urinary tract infections.…”

“…1 Though an uncommon human pathogen it is known to cause opportunistic infections and also nosocomial outbreaks. 2,3 Risk factors include prolonged hospital stays, immunosuppression, the presence of a foreign device, prior use of antimicrobial agents and extremes of age. 4 Also in the cosmetic industry, it has been implicated in recalls of eye cream, skin cream and cleansing wipes.…”