IncP6 plasmid analysis in “One Health” surveillance and comparison of global plasmid sequences

Methods Analyzed global distribution features of IncP6 plasmids using the Plasmids in Pathogens Database (PIPdb). Collected human-, animal-, environmental-, and food-derived samples from Henan Province, China under the One Health framework. Screen for carbapenem-resistant strains, perform plasmid incompatibility group typing on the resistant strains, and conduct preliminary identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing on the screened carbapenem-resistant strains harboring IncP6-type plasmids. Sequences of chromosomal and plasmid genomes were obtained using combined second- and third-generation sequencing technologies. The genetic correlation between the IncP6 plasmid sequences carrying blaKPC-2 gene and the similar plasmid sequences in global public databases was analyzed by core genome, pan-genome and average nucleotide consistency analysis.Results IncP6 plasmids demonstrated intercontinental dissemination (across 6 continents), are carried by bacteria from 39 species across 17 genera, and have been detected in animal, human, food, and environmental samples. The blaKPC-2-carrying IncP6 plasmid exhibited broad host adaptability, extensive geographical distribution, and cross-niche persistence. An environmental isolate of Raoultella ornithinolytica from Henan carried an IncP6 plasmid harboring blaKPC-2. This strain displayed a multidrug-resistant phenotype with multiple resistance genes. The identified IncP6 plasmid showed a certain genetic distance from related plasmids in public databases and carried both the epidemic core resistance structure (ISKpn6/blaKPC-2/ΔblaTEM-1/ISKpn27) and a novel mobile genetic element (IS15DIV/msrE/mphE/IS15DIV).Conclusion The IncP6 plasmid is widely present globally, blaKPC-2-carrying IncP6 plasmid demonstrates stability and transmissibility. It has been transferred across animal-human-environmental compartments. Monitoring the molecular characteristics and global spread of blaKPC-2-carrying IncP6 plasmid from a "One Health" perspective is of significant importance.Objective This study aims to explore the global dissemination and genomic characteristics of IncP6-type plasmids carrying the Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC)-encoding blaKPC-2 from a "One Health" perspective.