First reported genome of an mcr-9-mediated colistin-resistant Salmonella Typhimurium isolate from Brazilian livestock

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate the genetic context of colistin resistance in anmcr-9-harbouring Salmonella Typhimurium ST19 strain from swine in Brazil. Methods: Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) to colistin were determined by broth microdilution. Whole-genome sequencing was performed on an Illumina MiSeq system, followed by de novo genome assembly using SPAdes 1.13.1. The draft genome sequence was annotated in Prokka using KBase online server. Downstream analyses for resistome and plasmid detection were performed using online tools available at the Center for Genomic Epidemiology. The strain was typed in silico using MLST 2.0. Phylogenetic analysis involving 24 other genomes of Salmonella Typhimurium ST19 and mcr-9-harbouring Salmonella Typhimurium isolated from humans, livestock and foodstuff in different regions was also performed. Results: Assembly of the draft genome resulted in 5245 protein-coding sequences, 14 rRNAs, 83 tRNAs and a GC content of 51.81%. The strain was identified as Salmonella Typhimurium ST19 harbouring a 265.5-kb pN1566-2 plasmid carrying genes encoding resistance to colistin (mcr-9.1), aminoglycosides (aadA1), tetracycline [tet(C)] and sulfonamides (sul1). Our findings indicate that the Salmonella Typhimurium ST19 strain in this study showed low genetic variability compared with Salmonella Typhimurium ST19 isolated from swine and poultry in Brazil, and was less related to those reported in other countries. Conclusions: This is the first reported genome of a phenotypically colistin-resistant Salmonella Typhimurium harbouring the mcr-9 variant in Brazilian livestock. This genome will aid global investigations on epidemiological and evolutionary aspects of plasmid-mediated colistin resistance and the role of colistin-resistant Salmonella Typhimurium ST19 lineage as a zoonotic pathogen.