Novel 16S rRNA methyltransferase RmtE3 in Acinetobacter baumannii ST79

Abstract

Introduction. The 16S rRNA methyltransferase (16S RMTase) gene armA is the most common mechanism conferring high-level aminoglycoside resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii , although rmtA, rmtB, rmtC, rmtD and rmtE have also been reported. Hypothesis/Gap statement. The occurrence of 16S RMTase genes in A. baumannii in the UK and Republic of Ireland is currently unknown. Aim. To identify the occurrence of 16S RMTase genes in A. baumannii isolates from the UK and the Republic of Ireland between 2004 and 2015. Methodology. Five hundred and fifty pan-aminoglycoside-resistant A. baumannii isolates isolated from the UK and the Republic of Ireland between 2004 and 2015 were screened by PCR to detect known 16S RMTase genes, and then whole-genome sequencing was conducted to screen for novel 16S RMTase genes. Results. A total of 96.5 % (531/550) of isolates were positive for 16S RMTase genes, with all but 1 harbouring armA (99.8 %, 530/531). The remaining isolates harboured rmtE3, a new rmtE variant. Most (89.2 %, 473/530) armA-positive isolates belonged to international clone II (ST2), and the rmtE3-positive isolate belonged to ST79. rmtE3 shared a similar genetic environment to rmtE2 but lacked an ISCR20 element found upstream of rmtE2. Conclusion. This is the first report of rmtE in A. baumannii in Europe; the potential for transmission of rmtE3 to other bacterial species requires further research.