Genomic Characterization of a Uropathogenic Escherichia coli ST405 Isolate Harboring bla(CTX-M-15)-Encoding IncFIA-FIB Plasmid, bla(CTX-M-24)-Encoding IncI1 Plasmid, and Phage-Like Plasmid

Escherichia coli sequence type 405 is an emerging antibiotic-resistant clonal group associated with the global dissemination of extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing E. coli. In this study, we report the genome assembly and characterization of a uropathogenic E. coli ST405 strain, SZESBLEC201, based on long and short reads obtained from the Nanopore and Illumina sequencing platforms, respectively. Whole-genome sequencing revealed that SZESBLEC201 harbors a 5,020,403 bp chromosome and three plasmids, namely, pSZESBLEC201-1, pSZESBLEC201-2, and pSZESBLEC201-3. pSZESBLEC201-1 (111,621 bp) belongs to the IncFIA-FIB type and harbors bla(CTX-M-15). However, this plasmid does not harbor conjugative transfer-associated genes, rendering pSZESBLEC201-1 unable to be conjugatively transferred. pSZESBLEC201-2 (95,138 bp) is a phage-like plasmid that shows a strong genome synteny with Escherichia phage P1 but with the absence of mobile genetic elements and some regulatory genes. pSZESBLEC201-3 (92,865 bp) belongs to the IncI1 type and carries bla(CTX-M-24). In contrast to pSZESBLEC201-1, pSZESBLEC201-3 retains its full active conjugation machinery and can be transferred via conjugation. The genetic features of the genome show that the SZESBLEC201 has a unique virulence pattern compared with genetically similar strains found in the same country (China). The plasmid backbones exhibit a high degree of similarity to those of geographically distant isolates, highlighting the global spread of bla(CTX-M) genes and the genome plasticity of this clonal group. The coexistence of two bla(CTX-M) variants in the same strain increases the risk of the emergence of new bla(CTX-M) variants. Further studies on phage-like plasmids are necessary to provide insights into their biological activities and clinical significance.