Whole genome analysis of a multidrug-resistant blaNDM−5-carrying Escherichia coli Sequence Type (ST) 167 strain isolated from seafood in Mumbai, India

E. coli ST167 is an emerging extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli (ExPEC) clone. This study reports the whole genome sequence analysis of a multidrug-resistant, bla NDM−5 harboring E. coli ST167 (EC121) isolated from seafood. The antibiotic susceptibility pattern was determined using the standard disc diffusion method. Genomic DNA was extracted, purified, and sequenced using the Illumina platform. The whole genome sequence was analyzed to determine the genome characteristics, including sequence type, serotype, phylogroup, antibiotic resistance genes, virulence attributes, and phylogenetic analysis. Phenotypically, this isolate was resistant to 26 of the 33 antibiotics tested, which correlated well with in-silico prediction. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) analysis revealed that this strain belonged to sequence type 167, serotype O101:H9, and phylogroup A and harbored different virulence genes, suggesting it was a potential human pathogen. Many acquired antibiotic resistance genes were detected, including bla NDM−5 , bla CMY−42 , bla OXA−1 , bla TEM−116 , catA1 , sul2 , and tet(B). Point mutations in gyrA and parC responsible for quinolone resistance were also detected. The combinations of virulence and antibiotic resistance genes in this strain highlight the significant risk associated with emerging E. coli clonal types contaminating the seafood supply chain. Fecal contamination of seafood can contribute to the community dissemination of multidrug-resistant E. coli , necessitating effective monitoring measures.