Abstract: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has emerged as a critical global public health challenge. Vibrio cholerae, a major pathogenic bacterium, is exhibiting increasing resistance to antibiotics, complicating cholera control efforts worldwide. In this study, a comprehensive bioinformatic analysis of the distribution, abundance, diversity, and mobility of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) in V. cholerae based on global genomic datasets is performed. Screening and comparative analysis of 81 132 V. cholerae genome sequences led to the identification of 16 570 ARG sequences, encompassing 83 ARG subtypes associated with 19 antibiotic classes. Notably, genes conferring resistance to multiple drugs, tetracyclines, macrolides, and sulfonamides were the most prevalent, accounting for 69.23% of total ARG abundance. The diversity and abundance of ARGs exhibited significant geographic heterogeneity, with markedly higher levels observed in middle-and low-income countries such as China, India, and Haiti, compared with those in high-income countries. Strikingly, 91.57% of ARG subtypes were associated with mobile genetic elements (MGEs), highlighting their central role in the acquisition and dissemination of resistance. Cluster analysis further identified 120 mobile ARG operational taxonomic units, 26.67% of which were detected in at least three countries. ARGs conferring resistance to aminoglycosides, chloramphenicol, and sulfonamides displayed widespread geographic distribution. Representative genes such as dfrA1, APH(6)-Id, and cat3 have undergone intercontinental dissemination, predominantly across Asia and Africa. This study provides critical insights into the AMR landscape and transmission mechanisms of V. cholerae, offering a scientific basis for the development of effective surveillance and control strategies to mitigate the threat of resistance in V. cholerae and other pathogens.

Key words: Vibrio cholerae, antimicrobial resistance genes, genome, mobile genetic elements, global dissemination