Genomic insights into population structure, resistome, virulome, and mobilome of multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa
- 1Department of Biotechnology, School of Bio Sciences and Technology (SBST), Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT)
- 2Department of Bio-Sciences, School of Bio Sciences and Technology (SBST), Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT)
Abstract
Background: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a leading opportunistic Gram-negative pathogen causing severe healthcare-associated infections. The aim of the present study was to assess the interplay between population structure, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) determinants, virulence factors (VFs), and mobile genetic elements (MGEs) of P. aeruginosa genomes retrieved from public databases.
Methods: We performed genomic profiling of 301 human-associated MDR P. aeruginosa genomes from clinical sources. The comprehensive genomic analyses primarily focused on characterization of sequence types (STs), antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs), VFs, plasmids, insertion sequences (ISs), integrons, prophages, and pangenome using established bioinformatics tools.
Results: The dataset exhibited diverse population structure dominated by internationally recognized high-risk STs, particularly ST621, ST277, and ST235 among the MDR genomes. The MDR P. aeruginosa genomes contained a greater ARG burden (mostly acquired aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes, β-lactamase genes, sulfonamide resistance genes, and disinfectant resistance determinants). Additionally, higher numbers of ISs, complete class 1 integrons, plasmid contigs, and prophage sequences, were identified supporting the pivotal role of MGEs in genome evolution and AMR dissemination. Pangenome analysis revealed an extensive accessory genome, highlighting substantial genomic diversity. In contrast, the intrinsic resistome and virulome remained highly conserved.
Conclusion: MDR genomes exhibited greater burden of acquired ARGs against a conserved intrinsic resistance background. The integrated genomic framework provides insights into genomic characteristics associated with MDR P. aeruginosa and supports genomic surveillance of emerging MDR lineages and their associated mobile resistance elements.
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BibTeX
@article{pearl2026genomic,
title = {{Genomic insights into population structure, resistome, virulome, and mobilome of multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa}},
author = {Sara Pearl and Elizabeth Annie George and Sudha Ramaiah and Anand Anbarasu},
journal = {Frontiers in Microbiology},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fmicb.2026.1940877},
url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2026.1940877/full},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Genomic insights into population structure, resistome, virulome, and mobilome of multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa
AU - Sara Pearl
AU - Elizabeth Annie George
AU - Sudha Ramaiah
AU - Anand Anbarasu
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/22
JO - Frontiers in Microbiology
DO - 10.3389/fmicb.2026.1940877
UR - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2026.1940877/full
AB - Background: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a leading opportunistic Gram-negative pathogen causing severe healthcare-associated infections. The aim of the present study was to assess the interplay between population structure, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) determinants, virulence factors (VFs), and mobile genetic elements (MGEs) of P. aeruginosa genomes retrieved from public databases. Methods: We performed genomic profiling of 301 human-associated MDR P. aeruginosa genomes from clinical sources. The comprehensive genomic analyses primarily focused on characterization of sequence types (STs), antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs), VFs, plasmids, insertion sequences (ISs), integrons, prophages, and pangenome using established bioinformatics tools. Results: The dataset exhibited diverse population structure dominated by internationally recognized high-risk STs, particularly ST621, ST277, and ST235 among the MDR genomes. The MDR P. aeruginosa genomes contained a greater ARG burden (mostly acquired aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes, β-lactamase genes, sulfonamide resistance genes, and disinfectant resistance determinants). Additionally, higher numbers of ISs, complete class 1 integrons, plasmid contigs, and prophage sequences, were identified supporting the pivotal role of MGEs in genome evolution and AMR dissemination. Pangenome analysis revealed an extensive accessory genome, highlighting substantial genomic diversity. In contrast, the intrinsic resistome and virulome remained highly conserved. Conclusion: MDR genomes exhibited greater burden of acquired ARGs against a conserved intrinsic resistance background. The integrated genomic framework provides insights into genomic characteristics associated with MDR P. aeruginosa and supports genomic surveillance of emerging MDR lineages and their associated mobile resistance elements.
SN - 1664-302X
ER -