Genomic Insights into Carbapenem-Resistant Organisms Producing New Delhi Metallo-β-Lactamase in Live Poultry Markets
- Posted
- Server
- Preprints.org
- DOI
- 10.20944/preprints202504.1019.v1
The widespread dissemination of the blaNDM gene, which encodes New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase, in animal-derived settings poses a threat to public health security. Live poultry markets represent critical nodes in public health surveillance. However, there is currently limited reporting on the spread of the blaNDM gene within these markets under One Health approach. This study investigated the prevalence of the blaNDM gene in live poultry markets and performed an in-depth analysis of its association networks with other genetic elements across species, by integrating newly sequenced genomes with publicly available database entries. The samples for this study were collected from two live poultry markets in Jiangsu, China. Among the blaNDM-positive strains identified, we detected multiple variants, primarily blaNDM-5, followed by blaNDM-1, blaNDM-13, blaNDM-27, and blaNDM-39. We detected the coexistence of blaNDM-5 and mcr-1 in five Escherichia coli strains. Additionally, we found one E. coli strain in which blaNDM-5 coexisted with estT and tet(X4), and another E. coli strain where blaNDM-5 coexisted with estT. Network analysis of publicly available genomes revealed that the genetic element preferences of blaNDM variants vary significantly across species. The genetic element preferences of Escherichia coli carrying blaNDM-5 are similar to those of Klebsiella pneumoniae harboring blaNDM-1. In Klebsiella aerogenes, Enterobacter cloacae, and Proteus mirabilis, strains carrying blaNDM-1 have opposite genetic element preferences compared to strains harboring blaNDM-5 or blaNDM-7. Notably, we report the first evidence of the blaNDM-1 gene transfer mediated by ISKpn13, ISSpu2, and MITEKpn1. The findings highlight live poultry markets were important transmission hotspot of AMR, which requires continuous surveillance.