Prevalence, genomic features and pangenome analysis of NDM-1-positive carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter bau-mannii isolates from Costa Rica

 

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Authors: Molina Mora, José Arturo, Cascante Serrano, Daniel, Quirós Rojas, Leana, González Carballo, Gian Carlo, Araya, Xavier, Segura Retana, Elvira Eugenia, Estrada Murillo, Heylin, Lozada Alvarado, Betty Stefany, Alvarado Rodríguez, Mariela de los Ángeles, Alfaro Camacho, Javier, García Santamaría, Fernando
Format: artículo
Publication Date:2026
Description:Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) is a critical pathogen as- 14sociated with severe hospital infections and high antimicrobial resistance. Despite of the 15global significance of A. baumannii, there are limited data from Costa Rica regarding the 16resistance rate and genomic characteristics of CRAB. Methods: This study aimed to pro- 17vide initial and exploratory epidemiological data on infections caused by A. baumannii 18and CRAB isolated in Costa Rica and to gain insights on the genome of selected strains 19focusing on their resistance determinants and phylogenetic relationships. Results: Based 20on data from five main hospitals in Costa Rica, resistance rate to carbapenems was esti- 21mated at 9.8% to imipenem and 6.1% to meropenem. From 190 carbapenem-resistant clin- 22ical isolates available in a local collection, seven A. baumannii strains were identified, all 23showing resistance to carbapenems and carrying the blaNDM-1 gene. Whole-genome se- 24quencing of two strains yielded two distinct MLST profiles (Pasteur scheme: ST-150 for 25strain IPAT15 and ST-250 for IPAT72), as well as variations in number and identity of 26plasmids, genomic islands, and other elements of the mobilome. Both isolates carried ten 27antimicrobial resistance genes, which are predicted to be harbored in plasmids for 28IPAT15, unlike the chromosomal determinants in IPAT72. A pangenome analysis of 878 29genomes from a public database identified over 51,000 genes, with only 1,338 (2.6%) form- 30ing the core genome. Phylogenetic analysis and assignation of international clones (IC) 31showed predominance of IC2. Isolates from Costa Rica clustered near IC9 and sharing 32some resistance determinants, but they were not directly assigned to an IC. Conclusion: 33Overall, this study provides exploratory insights regarding the occurrence of CRAB in 34Costa Rica using epidemiological and genomic data, with profiles that are comparable to 35other regions in Latin America and diverse genomic resistance determinants. While this 36study is not showing the whole landscape of CRAB in Costa Rica, these data constitute an 37initial approach for improving clinical management and public health responses to CRAB 38infections, to ultimately improve outcomes for patients affected by this pathogen.
Country:Kérwá
Institution:Universidad de Costa Rica
Repositorio:Kérwá
Language:Inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:kerwa.ucr.ac.cr:10669/104215
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6382/15/4/393
https://hdl.handle.net/10669/104215
https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics15040393
Keyword:Costa Rica
Genomic surveil-lance
Antimicrobial resistance
Whole genome sequencing
Epidemiology
Resistance rate
carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii
Latin America
Prevalence