Elizabethkingia anophelis strain:M45.4 Genome sequencing and assembly. Elizabethkingia anophelis strain:M45.4

Elizabethkingia anophelis is an emerging bacterial pathogen that has been associated with various infections in both humans and animals. This study focused on isolating E. anophelis from raw cow milk obtained from a cow with mastitis as part of a surveillance study. The aim was to conduct whole-genome sequencing (WGS) to analyze E. anophelis, revealing the presence of multiple antibiotic resistance and metal resistance genes, including those encoding efflux pumps and beta-lactamases. The bacterium was found to be resistant to several antibiotics, such as carbapenem, aminoglycosides, and cephalosporins. The presence of E. anophelis in raw milk highlights the potential transmission of this pathogen through dairy products. Additionally, the study identified novel antibiotic resistance genes like GOB-30 and BlaB-14 for the first time in India, along with metal resistance genes like CzcD, TerD, and ACR3 predicted from the genome. Furthermore, the genome analysis revealed the presence of a CRISPR Cas Type IIU gene cluster and provided detailed information on core, accessory, and unique genes of E. anophelis. This research underscores the importance of surveillance studies in identifying emerging bacterial pathogens, monitoring their spread, and emphasizes the need for further research to understand the epidemiology and pathogenicity of E. anophelis in animals and humans to develop effective control strategies against this emerging threat.