Population genetic analysis of clinical Mycobacterium abscessus complex strains in China.

IF 4.6 2区医学 Q2 IMMUNOLOGY Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology Pub Date : 2025-01-20 eCollection Date: 2024-01-01 DOI:10.3389/fcimb.2024.1496896

Xiangchen Li, Yelei Zhu, Yewei Lu, Kunyang Wu, Yang Che, Xiaomeng Wang, Weixin Wang, Junli Gao, Junshun Gao, Zhengwei Liu, Zhuxian Zhou

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Abstract

Background: To explore the genetic characteristics of the Mycobacterium abscessus complex (MABC) population in China, given its rising clinical importance among nontuberculous mycobacteria.

Methods: We conducted population genetic analyses on 360 MABC genomes from China, focusing on core genome multilocus sequence typing (cgMLST), pan-genome characterization, population genetics, and antimicrobial resistance gene profiling.

Results: Our analysis identified 273 M. abscessus subsp. abscessus (Mab_A) and 87 M. abscessus subsp. massiliense (Mab_M) isolates, uncovering 68 sequence types (STs), with ST5 being the most common. cgMLST classified 33.3% of isolates into six dominant circulating clones (DCCs) and 49.4% into 59 genomic clusters at a threshold of 25 different alleles, including 18 international clusters linking Chinese isolates with seven other countries. The MABC pan-genome is open, with Mab_A exhibiting greater accessory gene diversity and higher gene turnover compared to Mab_M. Mobile genetic elements (MGEs), such as prophages and genomic islands, were prevalent across all genomes. 139 to 151 virulence factors (VFs) were identified per genome, with distinct accessory VFs in Mab_A and Mab_M affecting immune modulation and metabolism. Resistance gene profiling revealed ubiquitous mtrA, RbpA, and bla _MAB, with Mab_A-specific erm(41) conferring resistance to macrolides and β-lactams. Common rrs and rrl gene mutations indicated widespread resistance to aminoglycosides and macrolides, while gyrA mutations suggested emerging fluoroquinolone resistance. An acquired erm(46) gene, likely obtained via phage-mediated horizontal gene transfer, was detected in one Mab_A strain.

Conclusion: This study provides key genetic insights into the dynamics of MABC in China. The widespread distribution of DCCs, high genomic clustering rates, open pan-genome, and distinct resistance patterns between Mab_A and Mab_M, along with MGEs, highlight the need for targeted surveillance and tailored therapies to address emerging challenges in MABC infections.

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来源期刊

Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology IMMUNOLOGY-MICROBIOLOGY

CiteScore

7.90

自引率

7.00%

发文量

1817

审稿时长

14 weeks

期刊介绍： Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology is a leading specialty journal, publishing rigorously peer-reviewed research across all pathogenic microorganisms and their interaction with their hosts. Chief Editor Yousef Abu Kwaik, University of Louisville is supported by an outstanding Editorial Board of international experts. This multidisciplinary open-access journal is at the forefront of disseminating and communicating scientific knowledge and impactful discoveries to researchers, academics, clinicians and the public worldwide. Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology includes research on bacteria, fungi, parasites, viruses, endosymbionts, prions and all microbial pathogens as well as the microbiota and its effect on health and disease in various hosts. The research approaches include molecular microbiology, cellular microbiology, gene regulation, proteomics, signal transduction, pathogenic evolution, genomics, structural biology, and virulence factors as well as model hosts. Areas of research to counteract infectious agents by the host include the host innate and adaptive immune responses as well as metabolic restrictions to various pathogenic microorganisms, vaccine design and development against various pathogenic microorganisms, and the mechanisms of antibiotic resistance and its countermeasures.