Whole-genome sequencing of multi-drug resistant Escherichia coli from waste and river water

Natural and human-related aquatic environments are subjected to different ecological factors that influenced the emergence, evolution and dissemination of threatening antibiotic resistance mechanisms for Public Health. 16S rRNA methyltransferases are one of these mechanisms, enzymes that confer resistance to all clinically relevant aminoglycosides, including plazomicin, a last resort antibiotic. This study was focused on the analysis of the bacterial, plasmidic and genetic structure of Escherichia coli populations harboring these resistance determinants, among others, from both waste and river waters located in the area of Barcelona (Spain). The results allowed the understanding of the different resistance gene dynamics and adaptation to the environment according to the ecological niche, identifying the processes that led to high-risk associations and its dissemination. All samples are related to complete genomic data and metadata which allow for future studies of these multi-drug resistant E. coli worldwide.