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Global Population Genomics Links Mobilome Architecture to Antimicrobial Resistance Gene Burden in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a critical opportunistic pathogen responsible for severe healthcare-associated infections globally. Understanding its population structure and the interplay between antimicrobial resistance, mobile genetic elements (mobilome), and virulence profiles is essential for combating its spread. This study analyzes 7,341 quality-filtered P. aeruginosa genomes from 84 countries to define the global population structure and characterize the relationships between the mobilome, antimicrobial resistance gene (ARG) burden, and virulence profiles. Using a consensus resistome approach alongside specialized bioinformatic tools for mobile genetic elements and virulence factors, we found that the global population exhibits extensive genomic diversity alongside prominent international high-risk clones like ST235 and ST111. Acquired-candidate ARG burden was most strongly associated with integron-related features, whereas insertion sequence metrics showed moderate unadjusted correlations, with no independent association for total IS count after multivariable adjustment. Plasmid-associated metrics showed comparatively weaker associations. While virulence-associated gene content remains largely conserved across the population, type III secretion system effectors exoU and exoS display a largely reciprocal and lineage-specific distribution. Furthermore, carbapenemase genes show distinct geographic and clonal patterns, highlighting a dual dynamic of international high-risk clone dissemination and regional acquisition. These findings are consistent with a major contribution of mobile genetic elements to ARG accumulation in P. aeruginosa , emphasizing the need for continuous genomic surveillance to track and contain emerging strains.

Source: Computational and Structural Biotechnology Journal

DOI: 10.34133/csbj.0249