Resistome and pathogenomics of multidrug resistant (MDR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa VRFPA03, VRFPA05 recovered from alkaline chemical keratitis and post-operative endophthalmitis patient

• First detailed genomic analysis of two ocular isolates P. aeruginosa VRFPA03 and VRFPA05.
• First report on occurrence of blaDIM-1 and blaGes-9 gene among ocular isolate from India.
• Novel integrons In1107, In1108 explored from this genomic study.
• MDR genes, efflux pump genes, virulence factors, and exoenzymes were uncovered in VRFPA03 and VRFPA05 genome.

Eye infections due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an important cause of ocular morbidity. We presents the whole genomic comparative analysis of two P. aeruginosa VRFPA03 and VRFPA05 isolated from alkaline chemical injury mediated keratitis and post-cataract surgery endophthalmitis patients, respectively. The blaDIM-1 gene in VRFPA03 and the blaGes-9 gene in VRFPA05 were identified and reported for the first time from an ocular isolate. The current study revealed novel integrons In1107 and In1108, comprised of multidrug-resistant genes. Ocular virulence factors mainly mediated by exoenzymes T, Y, and U and exotoxin A, elastase B, and phenazine-specific methyltransferase. Genomic analysis uncovered multiple known and unknown factors involved in P. aeruginosa mediated ocular infection, which may lead to drug discovery and diagnostic markers to improve human vision care.