Genomic characterization of ST38 NDM-5-producing <i>Escherichia coli</i> isolates from an outbreak in the Czech Republic

A 2-year national genomic screening in the Czech Republic identified a notable prevalence of the New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase 5 (NDM-5)-producing <i>Escherichia coli</i> sequence type 38 (ST38) in the city of Brno. Forty-two ST38 <i>E. coli</i> isolates harbored the <i>bla</i>_NDM-5 gene on the chromosome. Virulence factors confirmed the persistence of these isolates through biofilm formation. Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs)-based phylogeny and CRISPR assay typing showed minimal genomic variations, implying a clonally driven outbreak. Results suggest that this high-risk clone may impose a nationwide problem.