Comparative Genomics of Bacteroides fragilis Group Isolates Reveals Species-Dependent Resistance Mechanisms and Validates Clinical Tools for Resistance Prediction
Miranda J. Wallace, Sophonie Jean, Meghan A. Wallace, Carey‐Ann D. Burnham, Gautam Dantas
Abstract
Anaerobic infections present unique challenges in terms of detecting and identifying the etiologic agent and selecting the optimal antimicrobial therapy. Antimicrobial resistance is increasing in anaerobic pathogens, and it is critical to understand the prevalence and mechanisms of resistance to commonly prescribed antimicrobial therapies. This study uses comparative genomics to validate clinical tools for species-level identification and phenotypic resistance prediction in 194 isolates of Bacteroides fragilis group (BFG) bacteria, which represent the most commonly isolated organisms among anaerobic infections. We demonstrate species-specific patterns in antimicrobial resistance and validate new strategies for species-level organism identification and phenotypic resistance prediction in a routine clinical laboratory setting. These findings expand our understanding and management of anaerobic infections and justify further investigations into the molecular basis for species-specific resistance patterns observed within this study.