Complete and assembled genome sequence of an NDM-5- and CTX-M-15-producing Escherichia coli sequence type 617 isolated from wastewater in Switzerland.

OBJECTIVES

Carbapenem-resistant Escherichia coli have emerged worldwide and represent a major challenge to effective healthcare management. Here we report the genome sequence of an NDM-5- and CTX-M-15-producing E. coli belonging to sequence type 617 isolated from wastewater treatment plant effluent in Switzerland.

METHODS

Whole-genome sequencing of E. coli 657SK2 was performed using Pacific Biosciences (PacBio) single-molecule real-time (SMRT) technology RS2 reads (C4/P6 chemistry). De novo assembly was carried out using Canu 1.6, and sequences were annotated using the NCBI Prokaryotic Genome Annotation Pipeline (PGAP).

RESULTS

The genome of E. coli 657SK2 consists of a 4.9-Mbp chromosome containing blaCTX-M-15, genes associated with virulence [fyuA, hlyE, the pyelonephritis-associated pili (pap) gene cluster and the yad gene cluster], the copper resistance gene pco, and genes associated with resistance to quaternary ammonium compound (QAC) disinfectants (emrA, mdfA and sugE). A 173.9-kb multidrug resistance IncFII-FIA-FIB plasmid was detected harbouring aadA2, aadA5, blaNDM-5, blaOXA-1, cat, drfA, drfA17, the mph(A)-mrx-mphR cluster, the tetA-tetC-tetR cluster, and the virulence genes iutA and ylpA.

CONCLUSIONS

The genome sequence of E. coli 657SK2 provides information on resistance mechanisms and virulence characteristics of pathogenic E. coli harbouring blaNDM-5 and blaCTX-M-15 that are spreading into the environment via urban wastewater.