Whole-genome sequencing identifies emergence of a quinolone resistance mutation in a case of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia bacteremia

Comparative genomics analysis of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia strains from a community

Background

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is a multidrug-resistant (MDR) opportunistic pathogen with high resistance to most clinically used antimicrobials. The dissemination of MDR S. maltophilia and difficult treatment of its infection in clinical settings are global issues.

Methods

To provide more genetic information on S. maltophilia and find a better treatment strategy, we isolated five S. maltophilia, SMYN41-SMYN45, from a Chinese community that were subjected to antibiotic susceptibility testing, biofilm formation assay, and whole-genome sequencing. Whole-genome sequences were compared with other thirty-seven S. maltophilia sequences.

Results

The five S. maltophilia strains had similar antibiotic resistance profiles and were resistant to β-lactams, aminoglycosides, and macrolides. They showed similar antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes, including various efflux pumps, β-lactamase resistance genes (blaL1/2), aminoglycoside resistance genes [aac(6'), aph(3'/6)], and macrolide-resistant gene (MacB). Genome sequencing analysis revealed that SMYN41-SMYN45 belonged to sequence type 925 (ST925), ST926, ST926, ST31, and ST928, respectively, and three new STs were identified (ST925, ST926, and ST928).

Conclusion

This study provides genetic information by comparing genome sequences of several S. maltophilia isolates from a community of various origins, with the aim of optimizing empirical antibiotic medication and contributing to worldwide efforts to tackle antibiotic resistance.

Relationship between antibiotic resistance with class 1 integron and SmeDEF efflux pump encoding genes in clinical isolates of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is an emerging multidrug-resistant organism with an increasing frequency of hospital-acquired infections predominantly in developing countries. The purpose of this study was to determine the antibiotic resistance and frequency of the smeD, class 1 integron, and sul1 genes in clinical isolates of S. maltophilia in two Iranian provinces. From January 2020 to September 2021, 38 clinical isolates of S. maltophilia were collected from patients in hospitals in Tabriz and Sanandaj provinces of Iran. S. maltophilia isolates were confirmed by standard bacteriological tests and 16S rRNA gene PCR. Disk diffusion and the MIC test strip methods were used to determine the antibiotic resistance patterns. PCR was performed to investigate the presence of smeD, class 1 integron, and sul1 genes. The antimicrobial test for the isolated S. maltophilia showed a high level of sensitivity against most of the antibiotics used. Maximum sensitivity was recorded for ciprofloxacin (100% (38/38)) and levofloxacin 100% (38/38), followed by ceftazidime (97.36% (37/38)), trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (81.57% (31/38)), ticarcillin-clavulanate (60.52% (23/38)), and piperacillin-tazobactam (55.26% (21/38)). We observed a high prevalence of smeD (100% (38/38)) and class 1 integron (94.73% (36/38)) genes in the isolates, and none of the isolates carried the sul1 gene. The findings from this study indicate that resistance to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole was not observed, and still, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole is the best drug with desirable antimicrobial effect in the treatment of nosocomial infections caused by S. maltophilia strains. Despite the observation of a high number of class 1 integron, the sul1 gene was not observed, which indicates the role of this gene in high-level trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole resistance and not having a role in low-level resistance. Based on our results, clinical microbiology laboratories need continuous surveillance of resistance rates to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, because of the possibility of S. maltophilia acquiring trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole-resistance by mobile gen elements.

Global prevalence and distribution of antibiotic resistance among clinical isolates of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (S. maltophilia), an opportunistic pathogen, causes infection in patients undergoing immunosuppressive therapy, mechanical ventilation, or catheters and in long-term hospitalized patients. Due to its extensive resistance to various antibiotics and chemotherapeutic agents, S. maltophilia is challenging to treat. Using case reports, case series, and prevalence studies, the current study provides a systematic review and meta-analysis of antibiotic resistance profiles across clinical isolates of S. maltophilia.

METHODS

A systematic literature search was performed for original research articles published in Medline, Web of Science, and Embase databases from 2000 to 2022. Statistical analysis was performed using STATA 14 software to report antibiotic resistance of S. maltophilia clinical isolates worldwide.

RESULTS

223 studies (39 case reports/case series and 184 prevalence studies) were collected for analysis. A meta-analysis of prevalence studies demonstrated that the most antibiotic resistance worldwide was to levofloxacin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX), and minocycline (14.4%, 9.2%, and 1.4%, respectively). Resistance to TMP/SMX (36.84%), levofloxacin (19.29%), and minocycline (1.75%) were the most prevalent antibiotic resistance types found in evaluated case reports/case series studies. The highest resistance rate to TMP/SMX was reported in Asia (19.29%), Europe (10.52%), and America (7.01%), respectively.

CONCLUSION

Considering the high resistance to TMP/SMX, more attention should be paid to patients' drug regimens to prevent the emergence of multidrug-resistant S. maltophilia isolates.

Clinical Status of Efflux Resistance Mechanisms in Gram-Negative Bacteria

Antibiotic efflux is a mechanism that is well-documented in the phenotype of multidrug resistance in bacteria. Efflux is considered as an early facilitating mechanism in the bacterial adaptation face to the concentration of antibiotics at the infectious site, which is involved in the acquirement of complementary efficient mechanisms, such as enzymatic resistance or target mutation. Various efflux pumps have been described in the Gram-negative bacteria most often encountered in infectious diseases and, in healthcare-associated infections. Some are more often involved than others and expel virtually all families of antibiotics and antibacterials. Numerous studies report the contribution of these pumps in resistant strains previously identified from their phenotypes. The authors characterize the pumps involved, the facilitating antibiotics and those mainly concerned by the efflux. However, today no study describes a process for the real-time quantification of efflux in resistant clinical strains. It is currently necessary to have at hospital level a reliable and easy method to quantify the efflux in routine and contribute to a rational choice of antibiotics. This review provides a recent overview of the prevalence of the main efflux pumps observed in clinical practice and provides an idea of the prevalence of this mechanism in the multidrug resistant Gram-negative bacteria. The development of a routine diagnostic tool is now an emergency need for the proper application of current recommendations regarding a rational use of antibiotics.

Advances in the Microbiology of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is an opportunistic pathogen of significant concern to susceptible patient populations. This pathogen can cause nosocomial and community-acquired respiratory and bloodstream infections and various other infections in humans. Sources include water, plant rhizospheres, animals, and foods. Studies of the genetic heterogeneity of S. maltophilia strains have identified several new genogroups and suggested adaptation of this pathogen to its habitats. The mechanisms used by S. maltophilia during pathogenesis continue to be uncovered and explored. S. maltophilia virulence factors include use of motility, biofilm formation, iron acquisition mechanisms, outer membrane components, protein secretion systems, extracellular enzymes, and antimicrobial resistance mechanisms. S. maltophilia is intrinsically drug resistant to an array of different antibiotics and uses a broad arsenal to protect itself against antimicrobials. Surveillance studies have recorded increases in drug resistance for S. maltophilia, prompting new strategies to be developed against this opportunist. The interactions of this environmental bacterium with other microorganisms are being elucidated. S. maltophilia and its products have applications in biotechnology, including agriculture, biocontrol, and bioremediation.

Common Adaptive Strategies Underlie Within-Host Evolution of Bacterial Pathogens

Within-host adaptation is a hallmark of chronic bacterial infections, involving substantial genomic changes. Recent large-scale genomic data from prolonged infections allow the examination of adaptive strategies employed by different pathogens and open the door to investigate whether they converge toward similar strategies. Here, we compiled extensive data of whole-genome sequences of bacterial isolates belonging to miscellaneous species sampled at sequential time points during clinical infections. Analysis of these data revealed that different species share some common adaptive strategies, achieved by mutating various genes. Although the same genes were often mutated in several strains within a species, different genes related to the same pathway, structure, or function were changed in other species utilizing the same adaptive strategy (e.g., mutating flagellar genes). Strategies exploited by various bacterial species were often predicted to be driven by the host immune system, a powerful selective pressure that is not species specific. Remarkably, we find adaptive strategies identified previously within single species to be ubiquitous. Two striking examples are shifts from siderophore-based to heme-based iron scavenging (previously shown for Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and changes in glycerol-phosphate metabolism (previously shown to decrease sensitivity to antibiotics in Mycobacterium tuberculosis). Virulence factors were often adaptively affected in different species, indicating shifts from acute to chronic virulence and virulence attenuation during infection. Our study presents a global view on common within-host adaptive strategies employed by different bacterial species and provides a rich resource for further studying these processes.

Emergence of concurrent levofloxacin- and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole-resistant Stenotrophomonas maltophilia: Risk factors and antimicrobial sensitivity pattern analysis from a single medical center in Taiwan

BACKGROUND

The emergence of concurrent levofloxacin- and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX)-resistant Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (LTSRSM) in Taiwan is becoming a serious problem, but clinical data analysis on this has not been reported.

METHODS

A matched case-control-control study was conducted to investigate risk factors for LTSRSM occurrence in hospitalized patients. For patients with LTSRSM infection/colonization (the case group), two matched control groups were used: control group A with levofloxacin- and TMP/SMX-susceptible S. maltophilia (LTSSSM) and control group B without S. maltophilia. Besides, tigecycline, ceftazidime, cefepime, ciprofloxacin, gentamicin, amikacin, and colistin susceptibilities in collected LTSRSM and levofloxacin- and TMP/SMX-susceptible S. maltophilia (LTSSSM) isolates were compared.

RESULTS

From January 2014 to June 2016, 129 LTSRSM from cultured 1213 S. maltophilia isolates (10.6%) were identified. A total of 107 LTSRSM infected patients paired with 107 LTSSSM-, and 107 non-S. maltophilia-infected ones were included. When compared with control group A, previous fluoroquinolone and TMP/SMX use was found to be independently associated with LTSRSM occurrence. When compared with control group B, mechanical ventilation, cerebrovascular disease, and previous fluoroquinolone use were risk factors for LTSRSM occurrence. Eighty-five LTSRSM and 85 LTSSSM isolates were compared for antibiotic susceptibilities; the resistance rates and minimum inhibitory concentrations of tigecycline and ceftazidime were significantly higher for LTSRSM than for LTSSSM isolates.

CONCLUSION

The emergence of LTSRSM showing cross resistance to tigecycline and ceftazidime would further limit current therapeutic options. Cautious fluoroquinolone and TMP/SMX use may be helpful to limit such high-level resistant strains of S. maltophilia occurrence.

Novel Mechanisms of Efflux-Mediated Levofloxacin Resistance and Reduced Amikacin Susceptibility in Stenotrophomonas maltophilia

Fluoroquinolone resistance in Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is multifactorial, but the most significant factor is overproduction of efflux pumps, particularly SmeDEF, following mutation. Here, we report that mutations in the glycosyl transferase gene smlt0622 in S. maltophilia K279a mutant K M6 cause constitutive activation of SmeDEF production, leading to elevated levofloxacin MIC. Selection of a levofloxacin-resistant K M6 derivative, K M6 LEV^r, allowed identification of a novel two-component regulatory system, Smlt2645/6 (renamed SmaRS). The sensor kinase Smlt2646 (SmaS) is activated by mutation in K M6 LEV^r causing overproduction of two novel ABC transporters and the known aminoglycoside efflux pump SmeYZ. Overproduction of one ABC transporter, Smlt1651-4 (renamed SmaCDEF), causes levofloxacin resistance in K M6 LEV^r Overproduction of the other ABC transporter, Smlt2642/3 (renamed SmaAB), and SmeYZ both contribute to the elevated amikacin MIC against K M6 LEV^r Accordingly, we have identified two novel ABC transporters associated with antimicrobial drug resistance in S. maltophilia and two novel regulatory systems whose mutation causes resistance to levofloxacin, clinically important as a promising drug for monotherapy against this highly resistant pathogen.

Mechanisms and phenotypic consequences of acquisition of tigecycline resistance by Stenotrophomonas maltophilia

OBJECTIVES

To elucidate the potential mutation-driven mechanisms involved in the acquisition of tigecycline resistance by the opportunistic pathogen Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. The mutational trajectories and their effects on bacterial fitness, as well as cross-resistance and/or collateral susceptibility to other antibiotics, were also addressed.

METHODS

S. maltophilia populations were submitted to experimental evolution in the presence of increasing concentrations of tigecycline for 30 days. The genetic mechanisms involved in the acquisition of tigecycline resistance were determined by WGS. Resistance was evaluated by performing MIC assays. Fitness of the evolved populations and individual clones was assessed by measurement of the maximum growth rates.

RESULTS

All the tigecycline-evolved populations attained high-level resistance to tigecycline following different mutational trajectories, yet with some common elements. Among the mechanisms involved in low susceptibility to tigecycline, mutations in the SmeDEF efflux pump negative regulator smeT, changes in proteins involved in the biogenesis of the ribosome and modifications in the LPS biosynthesis pathway seem to play a major role. Besides tigecycline resistance, the evolved populations presented cross-resistance to other antibiotics, such as aztreonam and quinolones, and they were hypersusceptible to fosfomycin, suggesting a possible combination treatment. Further, we found that the selected resistance mechanisms impose a relevant fitness cost when bacteria grow in the absence of antibiotic.

CONCLUSIONS

Mutational resistance to tigecycline was easily selected during exposure to this antibiotic. However, the fitness cost may compromise the maintenance of S. maltophilia tigecycline-resistant populations in the absence of antibiotic.

Heterogeneous Colistin-Resistance Phenotypes Coexisting in Stenotrophomonas maltophilia Isolates Influence Colistin Susceptibility Testing

The polymyxin antibiotic colistin shows in vitro activity against Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. However, an increased incidence of colistin-resistant isolates has been recently observed. In addition, in vitro evaluation of colistin susceptibility for this organism has been problematic. The aims of this study were to investigate the colistin-resistance phenotypes displayed by S. maltophilia and their potential association with the challenging determination of colistin susceptibilities for this organism by even the recommended method. Colistin-resistance phenotypes were inferred by use of the recommended broth microdilution method in different clinical isolates of S. maltophilia. Most of the strains showed non-interpretable minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for colistin due to an incomplete growth inhibition in wells of the microdilution plate. In addition, the subpopulation of bacteria resistant to colistin showed an increased ability to form biofilms on the plastic surface of MIC plates. The observed incomplete growth inhibition in the microdilution plates is compatible with a progressive adaptation to colistin or a heterogeneous susceptibility to this antibiotic. Therefore, to determine the existence of heteroresistance or adaptive resistance, four colistin-resistant clinical isolates were subjected to serial Etest assays, growth rate analyses, and the population analysis profile test. The experiments indicated that these S. maltophilia isolates display a colistin-resistant sub-population that survives and multiplies in the presence of the antibiotic. Interestingly, this phenomenon might not be explainable by the natural background mutation rate alone since the development of a resistant sub-population occurred upon the contact with the antibiotic and it was reversible. This complex colistin-resistance phenotype is exhibited differently by the different isolates and significantly affected colistin susceptibility testing. Furthermore, it can coexist with adaptive resistance to colistin as response to pre-incubation with sub-inhibitory concentrations of the antibiotic. Overall, the combined action of heterogeneous colistin-resistance mechanisms in S. maltophilia isolates, including colistin-induced biofilm formation, may hamper the correct interpretation of colistin susceptibility tests, thus having potentially serious implications on antimicrobial-therapy decision making.

Mapping and characterizing N6-methyladenine in eukaryotic genomes using single-molecule real-time sequencing

N6-Methyladenine (m⁶dA) has been discovered as a novel form of DNA methylation prevalent in eukaryotes; however, methods for high-resolution mapping of m⁶dA events are still lacking. Single-molecule real-time (SMRT) sequencing has enabled the detection of m⁶dA events at single-nucleotide resolution in prokaryotic genomes, but its application to detecting m⁶dA in eukaryotic genomes has not been rigorously examined. Herein, we identified unique characteristics of eukaryotic m⁶dA methylomes that fundamentally differ from those of prokaryotes. Based on these differences, we describe the first approach for mapping m⁶dA events using SMRT sequencing specifically designed for the study of eukaryotic genomes and provide appropriate strategies for designing experiments and carrying out sequencing in future studies. We apply the novel approach to study two eukaryotic genomes. For green algae, we construct the first complete genome-wide map of m⁶dA at single-nucleotide and single-molecule resolution. For human lymphoblastoid cells (hLCLs), it was necessary to integrate SMRT sequencing data with independent sequencing data. The joint analyses suggest putative m⁶dA events are enriched in the promoters of young full-length LINE-1 elements (L1s), but call for validation by additional methods. These analyses demonstrate a general method for rigorous mapping and characterization of m⁶dA events in eukaryotic genomes.

GET_PHYLOMARKERS, a Software Package to Select Optimal Orthologous Clusters for Phylogenomics and Inferring Pan-Genome Phylogenies, Used for a Critical Geno-Taxonomic Revision of the Genus Stenotrophomonas

The massive accumulation of genome-sequences in public databases promoted the proliferation of genome-level phylogenetic analyses in many areas of biological research. However, due to diverse evolutionary and genetic processes, many loci have undesirable properties for phylogenetic reconstruction. These, if undetected, can result in erroneous or biased estimates, particularly when estimating species trees from concatenated datasets. To deal with these problems, we developed GET_PHYLOMARKERS, a pipeline designed to identify high-quality markers to estimate robust genome phylogenies from the orthologous clusters, or the pan-genome matrix (PGM), computed by GET_HOMOLOGUES. In the first context, a set of sequential filters are applied to exclude recombinant alignments and those producing anomalous or poorly resolved trees. Multiple sequence alignments and maximum likelihood (ML) phylogenies are computed in parallel on multi-core computers. A ML species tree is estimated from the concatenated set of top-ranking alignments at the DNA or protein levels, using either FastTree or IQ-TREE (IQT). The latter is used by default due to its superior performance revealed in an extensive benchmark analysis. In addition, parsimony and ML phylogenies can be estimated from the PGM. We demonstrate the practical utility of the software by analyzing 170 Stenotrophomonas genome sequences available in RefSeq and 10 new complete genomes of Mexican environmental S. maltophilia complex (Smc) isolates reported herein. A combination of core-genome and PGM analyses was used to revise the molecular systematics of the genus. An unsupervised learning approach that uses a goodness of clustering statistic identified 20 groups within the Smc at a core-genome average nucleotide identity (cgANIb) of 95.9% that are perfectly consistent with strongly supported clades on the core- and pan-genome trees. In addition, we identified 16 misclassified RefSeq genome sequences, 14 of them labeled as S. maltophilia, demonstrating the broad utility of the software for phylogenomics and geno-taxonomic studies. The code, a detailed manual and tutorials are freely available for Linux/UNIX servers under the GNU GPLv3 license at https://github.com/vinuesa/get_phylomarkers. A docker image bundling GET_PHYLOMARKERS with GET_HOMOLOGUES is available at https://hub.docker.com/r/csicunam/get_homologues/, which can be easily run on any platform.

Identification and analysis of seven effector protein families with different adaptive and evolutionary histories in plant-associated members of the Xanthomonadaceae

The Xanthomonadaceae family consists of species of non-pathogenic and pathogenic γ-proteobacteria that infect different hosts, including humans and plants. In this study, we performed a comparative analysis using 69 fully sequenced genomes belonging to this family, with a focus on identifying proteins enriched in phytopathogens that could explain the lifestyle and the ability to infect plants. Using a computational approach, we identified seven phytopathogen-enriched protein families putatively secreted by type II secretory system: PheA (CM-sec), LipA/LesA, VirK, and four families involved in N-glycan degradation, NixE, NixF, NixL, and FucA1. In silico and phylogenetic analyses of these protein families revealed they all have orthologs in other phytopathogenic or symbiotic bacteria, and are involved in the modulation and evasion of the immune system. As a proof of concept, we performed a biochemical characterization of LipA from Xac306 and verified that the mutant strain lost most of its lipase and esterase activities and displayed reduced virulence in citrus. Since this study includes closely related organisms with distinct lifestyles and highlights proteins directly related to adaptation inside plant tissues, novel approaches might use these proteins as biotechnological targets for disease control, and contribute to our understanding of the coevolution of plant-associated bacteria.

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia produces an EntC-dependent catecholate siderophore that is distinct from enterobactin

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, a Gram-negative, multi-drug-resistant bacterium, is increasingly recognized as a key opportunistic pathogen. Thus, we embarked upon an investigation of S. maltophilia iron acquisition. To begin, we determined that the genome of strain K279a is predicted to encode a complete siderophore system, including a biosynthesis pathway, an outer-membrane receptor for ferrisiderophore, and other import and export machinery. Compatible with these data, K279a and other clinical isolates of S. maltophilia secreted a siderophore-like activity when grown at 25-37 °C in low-iron media, as demonstrated by a chrome azurol S assay, which detects iron chelation, and Arnow and Rioux assays, which detect catecholate structures. Importantly, these supernatants rescued the growth of iron-starved S. maltophilia, documenting the presence of a biologically active siderophore. A mutation in one of the predicted biosynthesis genes (entC) abolished production of the siderophore and impaired bacterial growth in low-iron conditions. Inactivation of the putative receptor gene (fepA) prevented the utilization of siderophore-containing supernatants for growth in low-iron conditions. Although the biosynthesis and import loci showed some similarity to those of enterobactin, a well-known catecholate made by enteric bacteria, the siderophore of K279a was unable to rescue the growth of an enterobactin-utilizing indicator strain, and conversely iron-starved S. maltophilia could not use purified enterobactin. Furthermore, the S. maltophilia siderophore displayed patterns of solubility in organic compounds and mobility upon thin-layer chromatography that were distinct from those of enterobactin and its derivative, salmochelin. Together, these data demonstrate that S. maltophilia secretes a novel catecholate siderophore.

Background Nutrients Affect the Biotransformation of Tetracycline by Stenotrophomonas maltophilia as Revealed by Genomics and Proteomics

Certain bacteria are resistant to antibiotics and can even transform antibiotics in the environment. It is unclear how the molecular mechanisms underlying the resistance and biotransformation processes vary under different environmental conditions. The objective of this study is to investigate the molecular mechanisms of tetracycline resistance and biotransformation by Stenotrophomonas maltophilia strain DT1 under various background nutrient conditions. Strain DT1 was exposed to tetracycline for 7 days with four background nutrient conditions: no background (NB), peptone (P), peptone plus citrate (PC), and peptone plus glucose (PG). The biotransformation rate follows the order of PC > P > PG > NB ≈ 0. Genomic analysis showed that strain DT1 contained tet(X1), a gene encoding an FAD-binding monooxygenase, and eight peroxidase genes that could be relevant to tetracycline biotransformation. Quantitative proteomic analyses revealed that nodulation protein transported tetracycline outside of cells; hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase facilitated the activation of the ribosomal protection proteins to prevent the binding of tetracycline to the ribosome and superoxide dismutase and peroxiredoxin-modified tetracycline molecules. Comparing different nutrient conditions showed that the biotransformation rates of tetracycline were positively correlated with the expression levels of superoxide dismutase.

Adaptation of genetically monomorphic bacteria: evolution of copper resistance through multiple horizontal gene transfers of complex and versatile mobile genetic elements

Copper-based antimicrobial compounds are widely used to control plant bacterial pathogens. Pathogens have adapted in response to this selective pressure. Xanthomonas citri pv. citri, a major citrus pathogen causing Asiatic citrus canker, was first reported to carry plasmid-encoded copper resistance in Argentina. This phenotype was conferred by the copLAB gene system. The emergence of resistant strains has since been reported in Réunion and Martinique. Using microsatellite-based genotyping and copLAB PCR, we demonstrated that the genetic structure of the copper-resistant strains from these three regions was made up of two distant clusters and varied for the detection of copLAB amplicons. In order to investigate this pattern more closely, we sequenced six copper-resistant X. citri pv. citri strains from Argentina, Martinique and Réunion, together with reference copper-resistant Xanthomonas and Stenotrophomonas strains using long-read sequencing technology. Genes involved in copper resistance were found to be strain dependent with the novel identification in X. citri pv. citri of copABCD and a cus heavy metal efflux resistance-nodulation-division system. The genes providing the adaptive trait were part of a mobile genetic element similar to Tn3-like transposons and included in a conjugative plasmid. This indicates the system's great versatility. The mining of all available bacterial genomes suggested that, within the bacterial community, the spread of copper resistance associated with mobile elements and their plasmid environments was primarily restricted to the Xanthomonadaceae family.