Genomic Insight of VIM-harboring IncA Plasmid from a Clinical ST69 Escherichia coli Strain in Italy.

Background: VIM (Verona Integron-encoded Metallo-beta-lactamase) is a member of the Metallo-Beta-Lactamases (MBLs), and is able to hydrolyze all beta-lactams antibiotics, except for monobactams, and including carbapenems. Here we characterize a VIM-producing IncA plasmid isolated from a clinical ST69Escherichia colistrain from an Italian Long-Term Care Facility (LTCF) inpatient.Methods: An antimicrobial susceptibility test and conjugation assay were carried out, and the transferability of thebla(VIM-type)gene was confirmed in the transconjugant. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of the strain 550 was performed using the Sequel I platform. Genome assembly was performed using "Microbial Assembly". Genomic analysis was conducted by uploading the contigs to ResFinder and PlasmidFinder databases.Results:Assembly resulted in three complete circular contigs: the chromosome (4,962,700 bp), an IncA plasmid (p550_IncA_VIM_1; 162,608 bp), harboring genes coding for aminoglycoside resistance (aac(6 ')-Ib4,ant(3 ")-Ia,aph(3 ")-Ib,aph(3 ')-XV,aph(6)-Id), beta-lactam resistance (bla(SHV-12),bla(VIM-1)), macrolides resistance (mph(A)), phenicol resistance (catB2), quinolones resistance (qnrS1), sulphonamide resistance (sul1,sul2), and trimethoprim resistance (dfrA14), and an IncK/Z plasmid (p550_IncB_O_K_Z; 100,306 bp), free of antibiotic resistance genes.Conclusions:The increase in reports of IncA plasmids bearing different antimicrobial resistance genes highlights the overall important role of IncA plasmids in disseminating carbapenemase genes, with a preference for thebla(VIM-1)gene in Italy.