Whole genome sequencing of multidrug-resistant Proteus mirabilis strain PM1162 recovered from a urinary tract infection in China.

Objectives: Proteus mirabilis is an important opportunistic Gram-negative pathogen. This study reports the whole genome sequence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) P. mirabilis PM1162 and explores its antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and their genetic environments.

Methods: P. mirabilis PM1162 was isolated from a urinary tract infection in China. Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined, and whole genome sequencing (WGS) was performed. ARGs, insertion sequence (IS) elements, and prophages were identified using ResFinder, ISfinder, and PHASTER software, respectively. Sequence comparisons and map generation were performed using BLAST and Easyfig, respectively.

Results: On its chromosome, P. mirabilis PM1162 harboured 15 ARGs, including cat, tet(J), bla (three copies), aph(3')-Ia, qnrB4, bla, qacE, sul1, armA, msr(E), mph(E), aadA1, and dfrA1. We focused our analysis on the four related MDR regions: (1) genetic contexts associated with bla; (2) the prophage containing bla, qnrB4, and aph(3')-Ia; (3) genetic environments associated with mph(E), msr(E), armA, sul, and qacE; and (4) the class II integron harbouring dfrA1, sat2, and aadA1.

Conclusion: This study reported the whole genome sequence of MDR P. mirabilis PM1162 and the genetic context of its ARGs. This comprehensive genomic analysis of MDR P. mirabilis PM1162 provides a deeper understanding of its MDR mechanism and elucidates the horizontal spread of its ARGs, thus providing a basis for the containment and treatment of the bacteria.