Yu Pan1,2,3,4,5, Furqan Awan1,4, Ma Zhenbao3, Xiufeng Zhang4, Jiaxiong Zeng1,2, Zhenling Zeng1,2,3,4,5, Wenguang Xiong1,2,3,4,5. 1. Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmaceutics Development and Safety Evaluation, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China. 2. Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, China. 3. National Reference Laboratory of Veterinary Drug Residues, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China. 4. National Laboratory of Safety Evaluation (Environmental Assessment) of Veterinary Drugs, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China. 5. National Risk Assessment Laboratory for Antimicrobial Resistance of Animal Original Bacteria, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The emergence of plasmid-mediated tet(X3)/tet(X4) genes is threatening the role of tigecycline as a last-resort antibiotic to treat clinical infections caused by XDR bacteria. Considering the possible public health threat posed by tet(X) and its variants [which we collectively call 'tet(X) genes' in this study], global monitoring and surveillance are urgently required. OBJECTIVES: Here we conducted a worldwide survey of the global distribution and spread of tet(X) genes. METHODS: We analysed a comprehensive dataset of bacterial genomes in conjunction with surveillance data from our laboratory and the NCBI database, as well as sufficient metadata to characterize the results. RESULTS: The global distribution features of tet(X) genes were revealed. We clustered three types of genetic backbones of tet(X) genes embedded or transferred in bacterial genomes. Our pan-genome analyses revealed a large genetic pool composed of tet(X)-carrying sequences. Moreover, phylogenetic trees of tet(X) genes and tet(X)-like proteins were built. CONCLUSIONS: To the best of our knowledge, our results provide the first view of the global distribution of tet(X) genes, demonstrate the features of tet(X)-carrying fragments and highlight the possible evolution of tigecycline-inactivation enzymes in diverse bacterial species and habitats.
BACKGROUND: The emergence of plasmid-mediated tet(X3)/tet(X4) genes is threatening the role of tigecycline as a last-resort antibiotic to treat clinical infections caused by XDR bacteria. Considering the possible public health threat posed by tet(X) and its variants [which we collectively call 'tet(X) genes' in this study], global monitoring and surveillance are urgently required. OBJECTIVES: Here we conducted a worldwide survey of the global distribution and spread of tet(X) genes. METHODS: We analysed a comprehensive dataset of bacterial genomes in conjunction with surveillance data from our laboratory and the NCBI database, as well as sufficient metadata to characterize the results. RESULTS: The global distribution features of tet(X) genes were revealed. We clustered three types of genetic backbones of tet(X) genes embedded or transferred in bacterial genomes. Our pan-genome analyses revealed a large genetic pool composed of tet(X)-carrying sequences. Moreover, phylogenetic trees of tet(X) genes and tet(X)-like proteins were built. CONCLUSIONS: To the best of our knowledge, our results provide the first view of the global distribution of tet(X) genes, demonstrate the features of tet(X)-carrying fragments and highlight the possible evolution of tigecycline-inactivation enzymes in diverse bacterial species and habitats.