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. 2023 Jun:81:102722.
doi: 10.1016/j.anaerobe.2023.102722. Epub 2023 Mar 29.

Characterization of mobile genetic elements in multidrug-resistant Bacteroides fragilis isolates from different hospitals in the Netherlands

K E Boiten  1 , E J Kuijper  2 , L Schuele  3 , J van Prehn  4 , L G M Bode  5 , I Maat  6 , S A V van Asten  7 , D W Notermans  8 , J W A Rossen  9 , A C M Veloo  3
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Free article

Characterization of mobile genetic elements in multidrug-resistant Bacteroides fragilis isolates from different hospitals in the Netherlands

K E Boiten et al. Anaerobe. 2023 Jun.
Free article

Abstract

Objectives: Five human clinical multidrug-resistant (MDR) Bacteroides fragilis isolates, including resistance to meropenem and metronidazole, were recovered at different hospitals in the Netherlands between 2014 and 2020 and sent to the anaerobic reference laboratory for full characterization.

Methods: Isolates were recovered from a variety of clinical specimens from patients with unrelated backgrounds. Long- and short-read sequencing was performed, followed by a hybrid assembly to study the presence of mobile genetic elements (MGEs) and antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs).

Results: A cfxA gene was present on a transposon (Tn) similar to Tn4555 in two isolates. In two isolates a novel Tn was present with the cfxA gene. Four isolates harbored a nimE gene, located on a pBFS01_2 plasmid. One isolate contained a novel plasmid carrying a nimA gene with IS1168. The tetQ gene was present on novel conjugative transposons (CTns) belonging to the CTnDOT family. Two isolates harbored a novel plasmid with tetQ. Other ARGs in these isolates, but not on an MGE, were: cfiA, ermF, mef(EN2), and sul2. ARGs harboured differed between isolates and corresponded with the observed phenotypic resistance.

Conclusions: Novel CTns, Tns, and plasmids were encountered in the five MDR B. fragilis isolates, complementing our knowledge on MDR and horizontal gene transfer in anaerobic bacteria.

Keywords: Antimicrobial resistance genes; Bacteroides fragilis; Horizontal gene transfer; Mobile genetic elements; Multidrug-resistant; Whole genome sequencing.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of competing interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: JWAR has received consulting fees from IDbyDNA, ARES genetics, and Illumina. ACMV has received a grant from the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment. All other authors have none to declare.

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