Abstract
The population structure of
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
is panmictic-epidemic in nature, with the prevalence of some high-risk clones. These clones are often linked to virulence, antibiotic resistance, and more morbidity. The clonal success of these lineages has been linked to acquisition and spread of mobile genetic elements. The main aim of the study was to explore other molecular markers that explain their global success. A comprehensive set of 528 completely sequenced
P. aeruginosa
genomes was analyzed. The population structure was examined using Multilocus Sequence Typing (MLST). Strain relationships analysis and diversity analysis were performed using the geoBURST Full Minimum Spanning Tree (MST) algorithm and hierarchical clustering. A phylogenetic tree was constructed using the Unweighted Pair Group Method with Arithmetic mean (UPGMA) algorithm. A panel of previously investigated resistance markers were examined for their link to high-risk clones. A novel panel of molecular markers has been identified in relation to risky clones including
arm
R,
amp
R,
nal
C,
nal
D,
mex
Z, mexS,
gyr
AT83I,
gyr
AD87N,
nal
CE153Q,
nal
CS46A,
par
CS87W,
par
CS87L,
amp
RG283E,
amp
RM288R,
pmr
ALeu71Arg,
pmrBGly423Cys
,
nuo
GA890T,
pst
BE89Q,
pho
QY85F,
arn
AA170T,
arn
DG206C, and
gid
BE186A. In addition to mobile genetic elements, chromosomal variants in membrane proteins and efflux pump regulators can play an important role in the success of high-risk clones. Finding risk-associated markers during molecular surveillance necessitates applying more infection-control precautions.