Genomics of Ochrobactrum pseudogrignonense (newly named Brucella pseudogrignonensis) reveals a new blaOXA subgroup

• Published in: Microbial genomics Vol. 7; no. 8
• Main Authors: Li, Shu-Yuan, Huang, Yin-En, Chen, Jhih-Yang, Lai, Chung-Hsu, Mao, Yan-Chiao, Huang, Yao-Ting, Liu, Po-Yu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.08.2021
• ISSN: 2057-5858; 2057-5858
• DOI: 10.1099/mgen.0.000626

Ochrobactrum pseudogrignonense (newly named Brucella pseudogrignonensis) is an emerging pathogen in immunodeficient and immunocompetent patients. Most documented cases associated with Ochrobactrum are frequently catheter-related and exhibit wide-spectrum β-lactam resistance. Misidentification of this pathogen using commercial bacterial identification kits is common. We identified a case of O. pseudogrignonense infection associated with cholelithiasis. The O. pseudogrignonense genome was sequenced and reconstructed using a Nanopore and Illumina hybrid strategy. A novel blaOXA-919 divergent from existing OXA members was identified and subsequent analysis revealed its existence in all available O. pseudogrignonense genomes, which forms a new phylogenetic subgroup distinct from other OXA clusters. Further analysis demonstrated the presence of the novel blaOXA-919 in the chromosome of several other Ochrobactrum species. Our study indicated that Ochrobactrum chromosomes may be a reservoir of blaOXA-919 β-lactamases.Ochrobactrum pseudogrignonense (newly named Brucella pseudogrignonensis) is an emerging pathogen in immunodeficient and immunocompetent patients. Most documented cases associated with Ochrobactrum are frequently catheter-related and exhibit wide-spectrum β-lactam resistance. Misidentification of this pathogen using commercial bacterial identification kits is common. We identified a case of O. pseudogrignonense infection associated with cholelithiasis. The O. pseudogrignonense genome was sequenced and reconstructed using a Nanopore and Illumina hybrid strategy. A novel blaOXA-919 divergent from existing OXA members was identified and subsequent analysis revealed its existence in all available O. pseudogrignonense genomes, which forms a new phylogenetic subgroup distinct from other OXA clusters. Further analysis demonstrated the presence of the novel blaOXA-919 in the chromosome of several other Ochrobactrum species. Our study indicated that Ochrobactrum chromosomes may be a reservoir of blaOXA-919 β-lactamases.