Genomics of Ochrobactrum pseudogrignonense (newly named Brucella pseudogrignonensis) reveals a new bla (OXA) subgroup

Ochrobactrum pseudogrignonense (newly named Brucella pseudogrignonensis ) is an emerging pathogen in immunodeficient and immunocompetent patients. Most documented cases associated with Ochrobactrum are frequently catheter-related and exhibit wide-spectrum β-lactam resistance. Misidentification of this pathogen using commercial bacterial identification kits is common. We identified a case of O. pseudogrignonense infection associated with cholelithiasis. The O. pseudogrignonense genome was sequenced and reconstructed using a Nanopore and Illumina hybrid strategy. A novel bla (OXA-919) divergent from existing OXA members was identified and subsequent analysis revealed its existence in all available O. pseudogrignonense genomes, which forms a new phylogenetic subgroup distinct from other OXA clusters. Further analysis demonstrated the presence of the novel bla (OXA-919) in the chromosome of several other Ochrobactrum species. Our study indicated that Ochrobactrum chromosomes may be a reservoir of bla (OXA-919) β-lactamases.