Nosocomial ESBL-Producing Enterobacter cloacae Complex Members in Guadeloupe

Nosocomial ESBL-producing Enterobacter cloacae complex strains were randomly collected at the University Hospital Center of Guadeloupe to investigate the local bacterial population structure and diversity. We reported a limited genetic diversity within sequence types. ST114, ST1503, ST53 and ST113, which belonged to four different E. cloacae complex clades, were the most represented among collected ESBL-producers. The blaCTXM-15 was the most prevalent ESBL determinant and in most cases associated with an IncHI2/ST1 plasmid replicon carriage. Whole genome sequencing and in-depth analyses confirmed the local circulation of pathogenic lineages and an epidemic plasmid.