Unveiling Mobilizable Multiresistance Clusters in Marine Bacteria

Abstract

The occurrence and spread of antibiotic resistance have become a pressing global health concern. Understanding the genetic elements that facilitate the dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in marine environments is crucial for effective microbial surveillance and management strategies. This study aimed to reveal the presence of mobilizable multiresistance clusters, consisting of ARGs associated with mobile genetic elements (MGEs), in marine bacterial communities. Water samples were collected from two beaches in Jeju, South Korea, and screened to identify multi-drug resistant bacteria. A total of 20 bacterial isolates were selected for whole genome sequencing, and through comprehensive genomic analysis, we identified and characterized nine such clusters primarily composed of betalactams, aminoglycosides, and tetracycline ARGs associated with MGEs like IS6, IS9, and Tn3. Additionally, an extensive analysis of 900 marine bacterial genomes from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) database was conducted to gain a broader perspective. Our results provide valuable insights into the prevalence and diversity of mobilizable multiresistance clusters in marine bacterial communities.

Keywords

• antimicrobial resistance
• mobile genetic elements
• multiresistance clusters
• genetic dissemination