Genome-Based Analysis of Chromosomal Colistin Non-Susceptibility in Stenotrophomonas pavanii Isolated from the Phycosphere of Pectinodesmus pectinatus.

BACKGROUND/

OBJECTIVES

Freshwater microalgae-bacteria consortia are increasingly utilized in wastewater treatment and biomass production. However, bacteria associated with the algal phycosphere may act as environmental reservoirs of multidrug-resistant (MDR) phenotypes and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), including resistance to last-resort antibiotics such as colistin.

METHODS

An axenic culture of the freshwater microalga Pectinodesmus pectinatus was established using a NaClO-based cleaning protocol. Three phycosphere-associated bacterial strains (Chryseobacterium sp., Pseudomonas monteilii, and Stenotrophomonas pavanii) were isolated and identified by 16S rRNA gene analysis. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using broth microdilution against 16 antibiotics. Whole-genome sequencing of the most resistant isolate, S. pavanii, was conducted using Oxford Nanopore technology, followed by genome annotation and in silico resistome analysis using CARD, AMRFinderPlus, and ResFinder.

RESULTS

Among the three isolates, S. pavanii exhibited the broadest resistance profile, including high minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) to multiple β-lactams and colistin (MIC ≥ 16 μg/mL). No plasmid-borne mcr genes were detected. Instead, the genome encoded multiple chromosomal determinants potentially associated with polymyxin non-susceptibility, including lipid A and lipopolysaccharide modification pathways (e.g., arn genes and eptA), outer-membrane maintenance and LPS transport systems, multidrug efflux pumps, and regulatory elements. Integration of genomic and phenotypic data suggested that the observed colistin non-susceptibility may be associated with intrinsic chromosomal determinants inferred from whole-genome analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates that the P. pectinatus phycosphere can harbor multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria, including strains exhibiting colistin non-susceptibility potentially associated with a repertoire of intrinsic chromosomal resistance mechanisms inferred from genomic analysis. Therefore, freshwater microalgae-based systems should be considered potential environmental reservoirs contributing to the dissemination of antimicrobial resistance.