Emergence of Almost Identical F36:A-:B32 Plasmids Carrying and in from Both Pakistan and Canada.

The New Delhi Metallo-β-lactamase (NDM) producing is spreading worldwide. Although the gene has been identified in animal associated isolates in many countries, little is known about its occurrence in animal products in Pakistan. In this study, 13 isolates were collected from chicken meat samples in Pakistan. Two isolates, 15978 and C4109, exhibited reduced susceptibility (MIC ≥1 μg/mL) to imipenem, and carried and gene, respectively. Whole-genome sequencing and Oxford Nanopore MinION sequencing revealed that 15978 and C4109 belonged to ST156 and ST167, respectively. was carried by an IncX3 plasmid that has disseminated worldwide, whereas was located on an F36: A-: B32 plasmid, which shared high identity with two plasmids carried by isolates from other countries (one from a patient in Canada). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report characterizing -carrying plasmids from chicken meat samples in Pakistan. The dissemination of almost identical -bearing F36:A-:B32 and -bearing IncX3 plasmids in different countries highlights the importance of international trade and travel in the spread of antimicrobial resistance strains and plasmids worldwide.