Comparative genomics and molecular characterization of a multidrug-resistant Corynebacterium glucuronolyticum isolated for the first time from the human genitourinary tract in Latin America.

Although Corynebacterium glucuronolyticum has been associated with human infections, its pathogenic potential remains poorly understood. Here, we describe the first case in Latin America of C. glucuronolyticum isolated from the human urogenital tract. The strain, designated IHP2022, was identified by MALDI-TOF MS (99% probability) and exhibited resistance to benzylpenicillin, clindamycin, and tetracycline, characterizing a multidrug-resistant (MDR) phenotype. Genomic analysis revealed a 2.88-Mb genome with 59.04% G + C content and no plasmids. Comparative genomic analysis, including 11 other publicly available genomes, demonstrated high genetic diversity and positioned IHP2022 close to strain p3-SID752 from the USA, suggesting a broad geographical distribution. The genome harbored multiple virulence and resistance genes, as well as a Type I-E CRISPR-Cas system. Functional annotation and pangenome analysis identified 4,027 gene families categorized into core, shell, and cloud components. By integrating phenotypic and genomic data, this study provides the first in-depth characterization of an MDR C. glucuronolyticum strain minimizing current knowledge gaps and contributing to a better understanding of its pathogenic potential.