Whole genome sequencing data analysis identified a cefotaxime-resistant Empedobacter brevis GBW-1 isolate from ground beef encoding a novel metallo-beta-lactamase variant, blaEBR-6

While investigating foodstuffs for ESBL-producing <i>Aeromonas</i> species on ampicillin dextrin agar with vancomycin and cefotaxime, a multidrug-resistant <i>Empedobacter brevis</i> strain GBW-1 was identified from ground beef. Phylogenetic analysis supports the interconnectedness of environment, humans and food driving this species' evolutionary development. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing demonstrated resistance to gentamicin, carbapenems and third-generation cephalosporins. Data collection from whole genome sequencing of this strain detected a 3.74 Mb genome with 32.8% GC content containing 3780 coding genes. Among these genes, at least three known antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes were identified from the dataset with <i>qacG, vanT</i> gene within the <i>vanG</i> cluster, and a novel variant of the metallo-β-lactamase <i>bla</i> _EBR-6. This homologue, EBR-6, was compared against previously known EBR variants and was found to be closest to EBR-3 with an 84.98% amino acid identity match. Data collection from <i>in silico</i> molecular docking experiments predicted these mutations change the binding to meropenem. Furthermore, nearly 100 annotated regions associated with mobile genetic elements, including the presence of <i>tra</i> operons, were identified on the genome. Together, this dataset provides, genomic, phenotypic, and <i>in</i> silico data that may be reused to monitor the evolution of EBR from a One Health perspective.