Whole-genome sequencing identifies persistent transmission of a high-risk ST2 Acinetobacter baumannii clone in a Guangzhou Hospital

As the first long-term genomic epidemiological study of <i>A. baumannii</i> in Guangzhou, our findings confirm that ST2 is the predominant multidrug-resistant and outbreak-prone lineage, driven by the convergence of resistance gene accumulation, virulence optimization, and genomic flexibility. These results underscore the urgent need to strengthen infection control measures and antimicrobial stewardship to curb the continued spread of this high-risk clone.