Comparative genomic analysis of plasmids encoding metallo-β-lactamase NDM-5 in Enterobacterales Korean isolates from companion dogs

Carbapenems are broad-spectrum antibiotics widely used for the treatment of human infections caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) Gram-negative bacteria. However, emerging carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE) are rising as a public threat to human and animal health. We screened clinical bacterial isolates from 241 dogs and 18 cats hospitalized at Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, Seoul National University, from 2018 to 2020 for carbapenemase production. In our study, 5 strains of metallo-beta-lactamase NDM-5-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae were isolated from 4 different dogs. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) results showed that all E. coli strains were ST410 and all K. pneumoniae strains were ST378. Whole genome analysis of the plasmid showed that bla(NDM-5) is carried on a IncX3 plasmid, showing a high concordance rate with plasmids detected worldwide in human and animal isolates. The bla(NDM) gene was associated with the ble(MBL) gene and the ISAba125 element, truncated with the IS5 element. The results of this study show that CPE has already become as a threat to both animals and humans in our society, posing the necessity to solve it in terms of One Health. Therefore, preventive strategies should be developed to prevent the spread of CPE in animal and human societies.

Automated summary

Carbapenems are broad-spectrum antibiotics used for treating human infections caused by multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. However, emergence of carbapenemase-producing bacteria poses a public threat to both human and animal health. This study screened clinical bacterial isolates from hospitalized dogs and cats and identified carbapenemase-producing strains, indicating the spread of these bacteria in both animal and human societies.