Yang Zhong , Jocelyn Qi Min Teo , Hong Yi Chang , Jiahao Yeo , Shuhua Thong , Sihui Tan , Nurhayati Binte Monhamed Yusoff , Tze Peng Lim , Andrea Lay Hoon Kwa
Comparative in vitro activities of eravacycline and tigecycline against carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii: Insights from whole genome sequencing analysis
Objectives
Eravacycline (ERV), a novel tetracycline-class antibiotic, has demonstrated efficacy against carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) in Europe and the United States but has not been evaluated in Singapore. The objectives of this study are to evaluate the activity of ERV against CRAB clinical isolates from Singapore and to investigate the genetic profiles of these isolates, exploring novel potential ERV resistance mechanisms through whole genome sequencing (WGS) analysis.
Methods
Three hundred CRAB clinical isolates collected from Singapore General Hospital (SGH) between 2012 and 2021 were tested for their susceptibility to ERV and other antibiotics. The genomic profile, including sequence type (ST), antimicrobial resistance, and virulence factor (VF) genes of these isolates, was determined. Isolates exhibiting high ERV minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were further analysed to identify potential genetic mutations associated with reducing ERV susceptibility.
Results
ERV demonstrated strong in vitro activity against CRAB, with an MIC90 of 2 µg/mL. WGS analysis revealed that the 300 CRAB isolates belonged to 23 STs, with ST2 being the predominant population and frequently harbouring intrinsic blaOXA-type β-lactamases and tetracycline-class efflux pumps (tet(B)). VF analysis shows extensive genetic diversity, with variations beyond simple presence/absence patterns. Notably, the emergence of ERV resistance (elevated MIC, and MIC > MIC90) was detected, and genetic analysis of high-MIC isolates identified novel mutations in the resistance-nodulation-cell division (RND) efflux pump genes (adeABC, adeFGH, and adeIJK) and their regulatory elements (adeS/R and adeL/N).
Conclusions
ERV is a promising therapeutic option for managing CRAB infections in Singapore. However, the emergence of resistance mediated by novel genetic mutations highlights the need for continuous surveillance and further investigation.
期刊介绍:
The Journal of Global Antimicrobial Resistance (JGAR) is a quarterly online journal run by an international Editorial Board that focuses on the global spread of antibiotic-resistant microbes.
JGAR is a dedicated journal for all professionals working in research, health care, the environment and animal infection control, aiming to track the resistance threat worldwide and provides a single voice devoted to antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
Featuring peer-reviewed and up to date research articles, reviews, short notes and hot topics JGAR covers the key topics related to antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal and antiparasitic resistance.