Genomic Characterization of the Comamonas kerstersii Isolated from
Diarrheal Patients in Bangladesh
Abstract
This study marks the first identification and genomic characterization
of Comamonas kerstersii isolates from diarrheal patients in
Bangladesh. C. kerstersii is a gram-negative opportunistic
bacterium that has also been reported in several clinical samples,
including urine, blood, stool, peritoneal liquid, and sputum. We carried
out the whole genome sequencing of three C. kerstersii isolates
with the aim of analyzing genomic features in 3 different strains
isolated from Bangladesh for the first time. Phylogenetic analysis
suggests that these three strains share a clonal relationship. Seven AMR
genes, aph(6)-Id, aph(3”)-Ib, mph(E), mph(F), msr(E), sul2, and tet(A),
have been observed in all the strains. We identified several virulence
factors, including copper homeostasis genes, type IV pili, and type VI
secretion system. Phage regions and IncQ1 plasmid were also detected.
These initial findings highlight the need for extensive genomic
surveillance of C. kerstersii in different diarrheal patients,
along with investigating their genotype-phenotype correlation to
understand the molecular pathogenesis in detail.