ESBL-producing Vibrio vulnificus and V. alginolyticus harbour a plasmid encoding ISEc9 upstream of bla CTX-M-55 and qnrS2 isolated from imported seafood

In recent years, trade liberalisation has led to the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) in food products. Because ARB has reportedly been found in imported foods, the spread of plasmid-mediated ARB through food products is a concern. Here, we report the complete genome sequences of ESBL-producing Vibrio vulnificus and V. alginolyticus strains harbouring a plasmid isolated from imported seafood. First, V. vulnificus and V. alginolyticus were isolated from purchased frozen and thawed Litopenaeus vannamei shrimp, and genome extraction and sequencing were performed. Hybrid genome assemblies were performed using Unicycler and annotated using DFAST. Then genome analysis was performed using BRIG. Plasmid comparisons showed that the plasmids carried by both Vibrios are remarkably similar and encode the same antibiotic-resistance genes. The 270-310 kb region specific to both Vibrios were isolated in this study and encodes the antibiotic-resistance genes bla and qnr. Furthermore, the mobile genetic factors ISEc9, ISVch4, and ISVpa4 are located upstream and downstream of these genes. This is the first report of ESBL-producing V. vulnificus and V. alginolyticus harbouring a common plasmid encoding ISEc9 upstream of bla and qnrS2 isolated from imported seafood.