Genomic and phylogenetic analysis of a multi drug resistant Burkholderia contaminans strain isolated from a patient with ocular infection.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES\nThe Genus Burkholderia comprises rod shaped, non-spore forming, obligately aerobic, gram negative bacteria. They are found across diverse ecological niches. Burkholderia contaminans, an emerging pathogen associated with cystic fibrosis, is frequently isolated from the contaminated medical devices in hospital settings. The objective is to understand genomic characteristics, antibiotic resistance profile and virulence determinants of B. contaminans strain SBC01isolated from the right eye of a patient hit by a cow s tail.\n\n\nMETHODS\nHybrid sequence of the study isolate was generated by using Illumina Hiseq and Oxford Nanopore Technology platforms. Unicycler was used for assembling the hybrid genomic sequence. Draft genome was annotated using the NCBI Prokaryotic Genome Annotation Pipeline. Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing (AST) of the bacterial isolate was performed by VITEK-2. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and virulence genes were identified using validated bioinformatics tools.\n\n\nRESULTS\nThe assembled genome size is 8,841,722 bp, with a G+C content of 66.33% distributed in 19 contigs. The strain SBC01 was found to possess several antibiotic resistance and efflux pump genes. The isolate was susceptible to tetracyclines, meropenem and ceftazidime. Many genes encoding potential virulence factors were identified.\n\n\nCONCLUSION\nBurkholderia contaminans SBC01 belonging to sequence type ST482 is a multi-drug resistant strain containing diverse resistance genes revealing the risks associated with infections of new Burkholderia spp. The large G+C rich genome has myriad of virulence factors highlighting its pathogenic potential. Thus, while providing insights into AMR and virulence potential of this uncommon species, the present analysis will aid in understanding the evolution and speciation in Burkholderia genus.