title: Genome evolution and plasticity of Serratia marcescens, an important multidrug-resistant nosocomial pathogen.
abstract: Serratia marcescens is an important nosocomial pathogen that can cause an array of infections, most notably of the urinary tract and bloodstream. Naturally, it is found in many environmental niches, and is capable of infecting plants and animals. The emergence and spread of multidrug-resistant strains producing extended-spectrum or metallo beta-lactamases now pose a threat to public health worldwide. Here we report the complete genome sequences of two carefully selected S. marcescens strains, a multidrug-resistant clinical isolate (strain SM39) and an insect isolate (strain Db11). Our comparative analyses reveal the core genome of S. marcescens and define the potential metabolic capacity, virulence, and multidrug resistance of this species. We show a remarkable intraspecies genetic diversity, both at the sequence level and with regards genome flexibility, which may reflect the diversity of niches inhabited by members of this species. A broader analysis with other Serratia species identifies a set of approximately 3,000 genes that characterize the genus. Within this apparent genetic diversity, we identified many genes implicated in the high virulence potential and antibiotic resistance of SM39, including the metallo beta-lactamase and multiple other drug resistance determinants carried on plasmid pSMC1. We further show that pSMC1 is most closely related to plasmids circulating in Pseudomonas species. Our data will provide a valuable basis for future studies on S. marcescens and new insights into the genetic mechanisms that underlie the emergence of pathogens highly resistant to multiple antimicrobial agents.
authors: Interdisciplinary Research Organization, University of Miyazaki, JapanPresent address: Department of Animal and Grassland Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Miyazaki, Japan.
authors: Atsushi
authors: A
authors: Iguchi
authors: Department of Microbiology and Infection Control Science, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, JapanPresent address: Kashima ONC QC, Oncology DCU, Eisai Demand Chain Systems, Eisai Co., Ltd., Ibaraki, Japan.
authors: Yutaka
authors: Y
authors: Nagaya
authors: Centre d'Immunologie de Marseille-Luminy, UM2 Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, FranceINSERM, U1104, Marseille, FranceCNRS, UMR7280, Marseille, FrancePresent address: CIIL-Inserm U1019, Institut Pasteur de Lille, Lille, France.
authors: Elizabeth
authors: E
authors: Pradel
authors: Department of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, Japan.
authors: Tadasuke
authors: T
authors: Ooka
authors: Department of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, JapanDepartment of Genomics and Bioenvironmental Science, Frontier Science Research Center, University of Miyazaki, Japan.
authors: Yoshitoshi
authors: Y
authors: Ogura
authors: Department of Genomics and Bioenvironmental Science, Frontier Science Research Center, University of Miyazaki, Japan.
authors: Keisuke
authors: K
authors: Katsura
authors: Earth-Life Science Institute, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Kanagawa, Japan.
authors: Ken
authors: K
authors: Kurokawa
authors: Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, University of Tokyo, Chiba, Japan.
authors: Kenshiro
authors: K
authors: Oshima
authors: Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, University of Tokyo, Chiba, Japan.
authors: Masahira
authors: M
authors: Hattori
authors: Pathogen Genomics, The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
authors: Julian
authors: J
authors: Parkhill
authors: Pathogen Genomics, The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
authors: Mohamed
authors: M
authors: Sebaihia
authors: Division of Molecular Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, United Kingdom.
authors: Sarah J
authors: SJ
authors: Coulthurst
authors: Department of Microbiology and Infection Control Science, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, Japan.
authors: Naomasa
authors: N
authors: Gotoh
authors: Pathogen Genomics, The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Cambridge, United KingdomDepartment of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom nrt@sanger.ac.uk thayash@med.miyazaki-u.ac.jp.
authors: Nicholas R
authors: NR
authors: Thomson
authors: Centre d'Immunologie de Marseille-Luminy, UM2 Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, FranceINSERM, U1104, Marseille, FranceCNRS, UMR7280, Marseille, France.
authors: Jonathan J
authors: JJ
authors: Ewbank
authors: Department of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, JapanDepartment of Genomics and Bioenvironmental Science, Frontier Science Research Center, University of Miyazaki, Japan nrt@sanger.ac.uk thayash@med.miyazaki-u.ac.jp.
authors: Tetsuya
authors: T
authors: Hayashi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D018432:Drug Resistance, Multiple; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D014644:Genetic Variation; D016680:Genome, Bacterial; D006801:Humans; D007313:Insecta / Q000382:microbiology; D016868:Serratia Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D012706:Serratia marcescens / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents
keywords: Serratia marcescens; genome plasticity; multidrug resistance; virulence