Research

Recurring acquisition of carbapenemase genes and global emergence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa ST-1047, a lineage shaped by geopolitical conflicts

Published

1 year ago

October 15, 2025

Mak Editor

Independent, recurring acquisition of blaDIM-1 and blaNDM-1 in ST-1047. Acquisition of blaDIM-1 involved a 66 kb genomic island that was inserted into gcvP in the chromosome (A). This genomic island shares 16.6 kb of uninterrupted homology at over 99% identity with PAGI-18 and includes In1592 carrying blaDIM-1. Both genomic islands are flanked by IS6100 at the 5′ end. Full-length contigs containing blaNDM-1 in isolates PA20/70/78 were compared to full-length contigs containing blaNDM-1 in FFDD_1011 (B). No homology was detected outside the blaNDM-1 sequence, suggesting separate mobile elements were independently acquired by ST-1047 P. aeruginosa. Photo: ASM Journals.

_{Authors: Ting L. Luo, Brendan T. Jones, Henry Dao, Viacheslav Kondratiuk, Valentyn Kovalchuk, Nadiia Fomina, Frieder Fuchs, Denis K. Byarugaba, Fred Wabwire-Mangeni, Hannah Kibuuka, Jason R. Smedberg, Ana C. Ong, Yoon I. Kwak, Antoni P. A. Hendrickx, Jason W. Bennett, Francois Lebreton, Patrick T. McGann}

ABSTRACT

Pseudomonas aeruginosa sequence type (ST)-1047 is emerging globally as a carbapenemase-rich lineage, yet its evolutionary history and population structure are not known. Here, we performed a comprehensive genomic and epidemiological investigation of 141 ST-1047 isolates from 15 countries, integrating short- and long-read sequencing data with Bayesian phylogenetics and mobile genetic element analyses. Two clonal subpopulations were identified. Subclone 1, defined by bla_VIM-11 carriage and loss of exoU, is proposed to have been imported to the United States following the medical evacuation of wounded service members from Afghanistan in 2005 and later seeded a nosocomial outbreak in Washington state. Subclone 2, carrying bla_IMP-1, is undergoing rapid clonal expansion due to nosocomial outbreaks in Ukraine hospitals where infection control is impaired by the war with Russia. Genomic islands resembling P. aeruginosa genomic island-97B mediated bla_IMP-1 duplication and integration at multiple chromosomal sites, including between iron-regulated small RNAs PrrF1 and PrrF2. Outside these subclones, independent acquisitions of bla_NDM-1 and/or bla_DIM-1 occurred via diverse resistance islands. While plasmids were detected in some ST-1047 isolates, chromosomal integration of carbapenemase genes has promoted stability and driven the population structure. This global study reveals that, since its emergence in the late 19th century, the ST-1047 lineage showed an exceptional ability to acquire diverse carbapenemases, and that geopolitical conflicts influenced its global spread on at least two occasions. These findings underscore the need for sustained global surveillance and high-resolution genomic analyses to prevent further spread of this high-risk pathogen.

Up Next

From Print to Digital: A Historical-Political Economy Narrative of the Emergence and Adoption of ePapers in the Ugandan Press

Don't Miss

Call for Applications for a residential writing workshop in Uganda

Research

CARTA Fellow Tamale on Building Systems, Shaping Policy and Transforming Lives beyond the PhD

Published

3 weeks ago

October 6, 2026

Mark Wamai

Dr. Andrew Tamale, College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and BioSecurity (CoVAB), Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa. Photo. CARTA.

A PhD can spark impact that extends far beyond academia. Meet CARTA graduate Andrew Tamale, whose journey demonstrates the multiplier effect of research capacity strengthening—from helping transform doctoral training and generating evidence that informed safer fish consumption practices, to strengthening One Health approaches for outbreak preparedness in Uganda and beyond.

Read full story

Source: CARTA News & Updates Issue 105

Research

CARTA Fellow Anywar Appointed UTANA Subject Matter Expert, Talks Medicinal Plants

Published

3 weeks ago

October 6, 2026

Mark Wamai

Dr. Godwin Anywar, Department of Plant Sciences, Microbiology and Biotechnology, College of Natural Sciences (CoNAS), Makerere University. Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

Godwin Anywar, cohort 6, Makerere University, was appointed as a Subject Matter Expert on the Manuscript Technical Evaluators team of the Uganda Textbook Academic and Non-Fiction Authors Association (UTANA) on August 31, 2026. In this role, Godwin will contribute to the qualitative, academic, and pedagogical assessment of manuscripts submitted under the Capacity Building for School Books Project (CB-SP). The four-year project, implemented jointly with the Department of Teacher Education and Training Development (TETD) of Uganda’s Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES), aims to strengthen authorship and support the development of school books in Uganda’s education sector.

He was also featured in Uganda’s New Vision on July 26, 2026, in a special report on Uganda’s medicinal plants.

Source: CARTA News & Updates Issue 105

Research

Makerere Hosts TERID Hub Early Career Researchers Grant Writing Workshop

Published

3 weeks ago

October 6, 2026

Mark Wamai

The Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases (TERID) Hub continued its efforts to strengthen the capacity of 17 early career researchers (ECRs) (10 men, 7 women) on an institutional level by holding a grant writing workshop from September 8 - 11, 2026, at Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

The Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases (TERID) Hub continued its efforts to strengthen the capacity of early career researchers (ECRs) on an institutional level by holding a grant writing workshop from September 8 – 11, 2026, at Makerere University. The workshop, attended by 17 ECRs (10 men, 7 women), strengthened participating researchers’ capacity by equipping them with critical skills to secure competitive funding. The intensive sessions bridged the gap between innovative academic concepts and fundable proposals, focusing heavily on decoding complex funder criteria and structuring compelling narratives. Participants prioritized the CONNECT-VAX call, which closely aligns with the Hub’s core work, and formed two groups: one on vaccine research and development capacity, the other on public trust and demand for vaccines manufactured in Africa.

Through this call, the Hub engaged collaborators from West Africa (Sierra Leone) and East Africa (Kenya and Tanzania) in developing two of its grant applications. Individual concepts on leishmaniasis, leptospirosis, tuberculosis, and pharmaceutical inventory management were also advanced, bringing the total to eight proposals across four funding calls, including Makerere University Research and Innovation Fund (MAK-RIF 8), Wellcome, and WHO/TDR.

To date, the Hub’s grant writing effort has attracted over USD 700,000. The workshop reinforced the Hub’s commitment to mentoring early-career researchers and championing research in emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases.

Source: CARTA News & Updates Issue 105