Detection of Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria, Resistance Determinants, and Mobile Elements in Surface Waters in Lebanon

AbstractThe prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in surface water in Lebanon is a growing concern and understanding the mechanisms of the spread of resistance determinants is essential. We aimed at studying the occurrence of resistant organisms and determinants in surface water sources in Lebanon and understanding their mobilization and transmission. Water samples were collected from five major rivers in Lebanon. 91 isolates were recovered out of which 25 were multidrug-resistant (MDR) and accordingly were further characterized. Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae were the most commonly identified MDR isolates. Conjugation assays coupled with in silico plasmid analysis were performed and validated using PCR-based replicon typing (PBRT) to identify and confirm incompatibility groups and the localization of β-lactamase encoding genes. E. coli EC23 carried a blaNDM-5 gene on a conjugative, multireplicon plasmid, while blaCTX-M-15 and blaTEM-1B were detected in the majority of the MDR isolates. Different ST types were identified including the highly virulent E. coli ST131. Our results showed a common occurrence of bacterial contaminants in surface water and an increase in the risk for the dissemination of resistance determinants exacerbated with the ongoing intensified population mobility in Lebanon and the widespread lack of wastewater treatment.

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Multiresistant Bacteria Isolated from Intestinal Faeces of Farm Animals in Austria

Antibiotics ◽

10.3390/antibiotics10040466 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (4) ◽

pp. 466

Author(s):

Herbert Galler ◽

Josefa Luxner ◽

Christian Petternel ◽

Franz F. Reinthaler ◽

Juliana Habib ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Meat Products ◽

Animal Husbandry ◽

Multidrug Resistant ◽

Farm Animals ◽

Resistant Bacteria ◽

Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria ◽

Antibiotic Resistant ◽

E Coli ◽

Multiresistant Bacteria ◽

Vancomycin Resistant

In recent years, antibiotic-resistant bacteria with an impact on human health, such as extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-containing Enterobacteriaceae, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE), have become more common in food. This is due to the use of antibiotics in animal husbandry, which leads to the promotion of antibiotic resistance and thus also makes food a source of such resistant bacteria. Most studies dealing with this issue usually focus on the animals or processed food products to examine the antibiotic resistant bacteria. This study investigated the intestine as another main habitat besides the skin for multiresistant bacteria. For this purpose, faeces samples were taken directly from the intestines of swine (n = 71) and broiler (n = 100) during the slaughter process and analysed. All samples were from animals fed in Austria and slaughtered in Austrian slaughterhouses for food production. The samples were examined for the presence of ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae, MRSA, MRCoNS and VRE. The resistance genes of the isolated bacteria were detected and sequenced by PCR. Phenotypic ESBL-producing Escherichia coli could be isolated in 10% of broiler casings (10 out of 100) and 43.6% of swine casings (31 out of 71). In line with previous studies, the results of this study showed that CTX-M-1 was the dominant ESBL produced by E. coli from swine (n = 25, 83.3%) and SHV-12 from broilers (n = 13, 81.3%). Overall, the frequency of positive samples with multidrug-resistant bacteria was lower than in most comparable studies focusing on meat products.

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Prevalence of Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria from U.S.-Grown and Imported Fresh Produce Retailed in Chain Supermarkets and Ethnic Stores of Davidson County, Tennessee

Journal of Food Protection ◽

10.4315/0362-028x.jfp-16-178 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 80 (3) ◽

pp. 506-514 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Siqin Liu ◽

Agnes Kilonzo-Nthenge

Keyword(s):

Pathogenic Bacteria ◽

Fresh Produce ◽

Agricultural Practices ◽

Multidrug Resistant ◽

Leafy Vegetables ◽

Resistant Bacteria ◽

Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria ◽

Antibiotic Resistant ◽

E Coli ◽

Public Health Hazards

ABSTRACTThe aim of this study was to determine whether U.S.-grown and imported fresh produce retailed in ethnic stores and chain supermarkets was a reservoir of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. A total of 360 (129 imported and 231 U.S.-grown) samples of fresh produce were purchased from retail stores and analyzed for Enterobacteriaceae, including three pathogenic bacteria (Escherichia coli O157:H7, Shigella, and Salmonella), using standard methods. Presumptive pathogenic isolates were confirmed using PCR. The mean Enterobacteriaceae counts for imported produce were 6.87 ± 0.15 log CFU/g and 7.16 ± 0.11 log CFU/g in ethnic stores and chain supermarkets, respectively. For U.S.-grown produce, the contamination levels were at 8.35 ± 0.17 log CFU/g and 7.52 ± 0.13 log CFU/g in ethnic stores and chain supermarkets, respectively. Salmonella (0 and 0.3%), Shigella (1.7 and 0.6%), E. coli (3.1 and 1.4%), Enterobacter (9.4 and 8.6%), Klebsiella (6.7 and 0.6%), and Serratia (5.8 and 1.4%) were detected in produce from ethnic stores and chain supermarkets, respectively. None of the samples were positive for E. coli O157:H7. Regarding distribution by produce type, leafy vegetables had a significantly (P < 0.05) higher prevalence of Enterobacteriaceae (19.2%) than the other types, followed by root vegetables (6.4%), tomatoes (5.6%), and fruits (3.9%). Antibiotic-resistant Salmonella, Shigella, E. coli, Enterobacter, Klebsiella, and Erwinia bacteria were also isolated from fresh produce. The frequencies of vancomycin resistance (98.1 and 100%) were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than the frequencies of ampicillin resistance (42.3 and 72.9%) for imported and U.S.-grown produce, respectively. Despite the increased attention to the role of imported produce as a source of antimicrobial resistance, this study indicates that U.S.-grown produce is also contaminated with antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Good agricultural practices on the farms and washing of fresh produce before consumption are greatly recommended to avoid possible public health hazards.

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Antibiotic-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae in Wastewater of Abattoirs

Antibiotics ◽

10.3390/antibiotics10050568 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (5) ◽

pp. 568

Author(s):

Timo Homeier-Bachmann ◽

Stefan E. Heiden ◽

Phillip K. Lübcke ◽

Lisa Bachmann ◽

Jürgen A. Bohnert ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Surface Water ◽

Water Contamination ◽

Carbapenem Resistance ◽

Multidrug Resistant ◽

Resistant Bacteria ◽

Bacterial Strains ◽

Antibiotic Resistant ◽

E Coli ◽

Environmental Surface

Antibiotic-resistant Enterobacteriaceae are regularly detected in livestock. As pathogens, they cause difficult-to-treat infections and, as commensals, they may serve as a source of resistance genes for other bacteria. Slaughterhouses produce significant amounts of wastewater containing antimicrobial-resistant bacteria (AMRB), which are released into the environment. We analyzed the wastewater from seven slaughterhouses (pig and poultry) for extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-carrying and colistin-resistant Enterobacteriaceae. AMRB were regularly detected in pig and poultry slaughterhouse wastewaters monitored here. All 25 ESBL-producing bacterial strains (19 E. coli and six K. pneumoniae) isolated from poultry slaughterhouses were multidrug-resistant. In pig slaughterhouses 64% (12 of 21 E. coli [57%] and all four detected K. pneumoniae [100%]) were multidrug-resistant. Regarding colistin, resistant Enterobacteriaceae were detected in 54% of poultry and 21% of pig water samples. Carbapenem resistance was not detected. Resistant bacteria were found directly during discharge of wastewaters from abattoirs into water bodies highlighting the role of slaughterhouses for environmental surface water contamination.

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Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria in Clams—A Study on Mussels in the River Rhine

Antibiotics ◽

10.3390/antibiotics10050571 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (5) ◽

pp. 571

Author(s):

Nicole Zacharias ◽

Iris Löckener ◽

Sarah M. Essert ◽

Esther Sib ◽

Gabriele Bierbaum ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bacterial Infections ◽

Sewage Treatment ◽

Sewage Treatment Plant ◽

Treatment Plant ◽

Multidrug Resistant ◽

Resistant Bacteria ◽

River Rhine ◽

Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria ◽

Surrounding Water ◽

Antibiotic Resistant

Bacterial infections have been treated effectively by antibiotics since the discovery of penicillin in 1928. A worldwide increase in the use of antibiotics led to the emergence of antibiotic resistant strains in almost all bacterial pathogens, which complicates the treatment of infectious diseases. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria play an important role in increasing the risk associated with the usage of surface waters (e.g., irrigation, recreation) and the spread of the resistance genes. Many studies show that important pathogenic antibiotic-resistant bacteria can enter the environment by the discharge of sewage treatment plants and combined sewage overflow events. Mussels have successfully been used as bio-indicators of heavy metals, chemicals and parasites; they may also be efficient bio-indicators for viruses and bacteria. In this study an influence of the discharge of a sewage treatment plant could be shown in regard to the presence of E. coli in higher concentrations in the mussels downstream the treatment plant. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria, resistant against one or two classes of antibiotics and relevance for human health could be detected in the mussels at different sampling sites of the river Rhine. No multidrug-resistant bacteria could be isolated from the mussels, although they were found in samples of the surrounding water body.

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Persulfate mediated solar photo-Fenton aiming at wastewater treatment plant effluent improvement at neutral PH: emerging contaminant removal, disinfection, and elimination of antibiotic-resistant bacteria

Environmental Science and Pollution Research ◽

10.1007/s11356-020-11802-z ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Maria Clara V. M. Starling ◽

Elizângela P. Costa ◽

Felipe A. Souza ◽

Elayne C. Machado ◽

Juliana Calábria de Araujo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Wastewater Treatment ◽

Wastewater Treatment Plant ◽

Treatment Plant ◽

Resistant Bacteria ◽

Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria ◽

Antibiotic Resistant ◽

E Coli ◽

Effluent Quality ◽

Neutral Ph ◽

Wastewater Treatment Plant Effluent

AbstractThis work investigated an innovative alternative to improve municipal wastewater treatment plant effluent (MWWTP effluent) quality aiming at the removal of contaminants of emerging concern (caffeine, carbendazim, and losartan potassium), and antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB), as well as disinfection (E. coli). Persulfate was used as an alternative oxidant in the solar photo-Fenton process (solar/Fe/S2O82−) due to its greater stability in the presence of matrix components. The efficiency of solar/Fe/S2O82− at neutral pH using intermittent iron additions is unprecedented in the literature. At first, solar/Fe/S2O82− was performed in a solar simulator (30 W m−2) leading to more than 60% removal of CECs, and the intermittent iron addition strategy was proved effective. Then, solar/Fe/S2O82− and solar/Fe/H2O2 were compared in semi-pilot scale in a raceway pond reactor (RPR) and a cost analysis was performed. Solar/Fe/S2O82− showed higher efficiencies of removal of target CECs (55%), E. coli (3 log units), and ARB (3 to 4 log units) within 1.9 kJ L−1 of accumulated irradiation compared to solar/Fe/H2O2 (CECs, 49%; E. coli, 2 log units; ARB, 1 to 3 log units in 2.5 kJ L−1). None of the treatments generated acute toxicity upon Allivibrio fischeri. Lower total cost was obtained using S2O82− (0.6 € m−3) compared to H2O2 (1.2 € m−3). Therefore, the iron intermittent addition aligned to the use of persulfate is suitable for MWWTP effluent quality improvement at neutral pH.

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Retail Chicken Carcasses as a Reservoir of Antimicrobial- Resistant Escherichia coli

University of the Future: Re-Imagining Research and Higher Education ◽

10.29117/quarfe.2020.0115 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Nahla Omer Eltai ◽

Hadi M. Yassine ◽

Sara H. Al-Hadidi ◽

Tahra ElObied ◽

Asmaa A. Al Thani ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Escherichia Coli ◽

Antimicrobial Resistance ◽

Growth Promotion ◽

Multidrug Resistant ◽

Chicken Meat ◽

Resistant Bacteria ◽

Antibiotic Resistant ◽

E Coli ◽

Inappropriate Use ◽

Esbl Producers

The dissemination of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) bacteria has been associated with the inappropriate use of antibiotics in both humans and animals and with the consumption of food contaminated with resistant bacteria. In particular, the use of antibiotics as prophylactic and growth promotion purposes in food-producing animals has rendered many of the antibiotics ineffective. The increased global prevalence of AMR poses a significant threat to the safety of the world’s food supply. Objectives: This study aims at determining the prevalence of antibiotic-resistant Escherichia coli (E. coli) isolated from local and imported retail chicken meat in Qatar. Methodology: A total of 270 whole chicken carcasses were obtained from three different hypermarket stores in Qatar. A total of 216 E. coli were isolated and subjected to antibiotic susceptibility testing against 18 relevant antibiotics using disc diffusion and micro- dilution methods. Furthermore, extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) production was determined via a double-disc synergetic test. Isolates harboring colistin resistance were confirmed using multiplex-PCR and DNA sequencing. Results: Nearly 89% (192/216) of the isolates were resistant to at least one antibiotics. In general, isolates showed relatively higher resistance to sulfamethoxazole (62%), tetracycline (59.7%), ampicillin and trimethoprim (52.3%), ciprofloxacin (47.7%), cephalothin, and colistin (31.9%). On the other hand, less resistance was recorded against amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (6%), ceftriaxone (5.1%), nitrofurantoin (4.2%) and piperacillin/tazobactam (4.2%), cefepime (2.3%), meropenem (1.4%), ertapenem (0.9%), and amikacin (0.9%). Nine isolates (4.2%) were ESBL producers. Furthermore, 63.4% were multidrug-resistant (MDR). The percentage of MDR, ESBL producers, and colistin-resistant isolates was significantly higher among local isolates compared to imported chicken samples. Conclusion: We reported a remarkably high percentage of the antibiotic-resistant E. coli in chicken meat sold at retail in Qatar. The high percentage of MDR and colistin isolates is troublesome to the food safety of raw chicken meat and the potential of antibiotic resistance spread to public health. Our findings support the need for the implementation of one health approach to address the spread of antimicrobial resistance and the need for a collaborative solution.

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Prevalence of Multidrug-Resistant Foodborne Pathogens and Indicator Bacteria from Edible Offal and Muscle Meats in Nashville, Tennessee

Foods ◽

10.3390/foods9091190 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (9) ◽

pp. 1190

Author(s):

Siqin Liu ◽

Agnes Kilonzo-Nthenge ◽

Samuel N. Nahashon ◽

Bharat Pokharel ◽

Abdullah Ibn Mafiz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Foodborne Pathogens ◽

Salmonella Enterica ◽

Ground Beef ◽

Multidrug Resistant ◽

Indicator Bacteria ◽

Resistant Bacteria ◽

Antibiotic Resistant ◽

Beef Liver ◽

E Coli ◽

Retail Meats

This study investigated the prevalence of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in retail edible offal and muscle meats in Nashville, Tennessee. A total of 348 retail meats (160 edible offal and 188 muscle) were analyzed for Salmonella enterica serovar, Campylobacter, Escherichia coli, E. coli O157:H7, and enterococci. Bacteria was identified using biochemical and PCR methods. Salmonella enterica serovar (4.4% and 4.3%), Campylobacter (1.9% and 1.1%), E. coli (79.4% and 89.4%), and enterococci (88.1% and 95.7%) was detected in offal and muscle meats, respectively. Chicken liver (9.7%) was most frequently contaminated with Salmonella enterica serovar, followed by ground chicken (6.9%) and chicken wings (4.2%). No Salmonella enterica serovar was detected in beef liver, beef tripe, and ground beef. The prevalence of Campylobacter was 6.9%, 2.3%, and 1.4% in beef liver, ground beef, and ground chicken, respectively. None of the meats were positive for E. coli O157:H7. Resistance of isolates was significantly (p < 0.05) highest in erythromycin (98.3%; 99.1%), followed by tetracycline (94%; 98.3%), vancomycin (88.8%; 92.2%) as compared to chloramphenicol (43.1%; 53.9%), amoxicillin/clavulanic (43.5%; 45.7%), and ciprofloxacin (45.7%; 55.7%) in offal and muscle meats, respectively. Imipenem showed the lowest resistance (0%; 0.9%). A total of 41 multidrug-resistant patterns were displayed. Edible offal could be a source of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

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Occurrence and spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria on animal farms and in their vicinity in Poland and Ukraine—review

Environmental Science and Pollution Research ◽

10.1007/s11356-021-17773-z ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Karolina Jeżak ◽

Anna Kozajda

Keyword(s):

Pathogenic Bacteria ◽

Large Scale ◽

Multidrug Resistant ◽

Animal Origin ◽

Resistant Bacteria ◽

Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria ◽

Antibiotic Resistant ◽

Animal Farming ◽

Food Of Animal Origin ◽

Zoonotic Bacteria

AbstractIntensive animal farming emits to the environment very high concentrations of bioaerosol, mainly composed of microorganisms, including antibiotics resistant strains, and their derivatives. Poland is a significant producer of poultry and swine in Europe; Ukraine is located in the immediate vicinity of Poland and the EU. Thus, the review focuses on the presence of potentially pathogenic and antimicrobial-resistant zoonotic bacteria and antimicrobial genes in the environment of farms and food of animal origin in Poland and Ukraine. Existing data confirms presence of these bacteria in the food animal origin chain environment in both countries. However, it is difficult to compare the scale of multidrug-resistant bacteria (e.g. MRSA, ESBL) dissemination in Poland and Ukraine with other EU countries due to lack of more extensive studies and large-scale monitoring in these two countries. A series of studies concerning resistance of pathogenic bacteria isolated from livestock environment have been published in Poland but usually on single farms with a very limited number of samples, and without a genotypic drug resistance marking. From Ukraine are available only few reports, but also disturbing. The risk of antibiotic-resistant bacteria transmission does not only concern animal farming, but also other facilities of animal origin food supply chains, especially slaughterhouses.

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Prevalence and distribution of antimicrobial resistance determinants ofEscherichia coliisolates obtained from meat in South Africa

10.1101/626267 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Ishmael Festus Jaja ◽

James Oguttu ◽

Ezekiel Green ◽

Voster Muchenje

Keyword(s):

Multidrug Resistant ◽

Diffusion Method ◽

Multi Drug Resistance ◽

Antibiotics Resistance ◽

Antibiotic Resistant ◽

E Coli ◽

Noticeable Increase ◽

Resistance Determinants ◽

Class 1 ◽

Standard Culture

AbstractObjectiveThis study aimed to characterise antibiotics resistance ofEscherichia coliisolates from the formal meat sector (FMS) and informal meat sectors (INMS).MethodA total of 162 and 102E. coliisolates from the FMS, and INMS respectively were isolated by standard culture-based, and biochemical reactions. The isolates were further confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The disc diffusion method was used to screen for antimicrobial susceptibility against 19 different antibiotics. The presence of class 1-2 integrons in eachE. coliisolates was assessed usingandregions specific primers.ResultAmong the 19 antimicrobials, resistance to tetracyclines, aminoglycosides, cephalosporins, and nitrofurans were found to be more frequent than carbapenems and phenicol with a noticeable increase in the number of multi-drug resistance ranging from three to ten antimicrobials. A total of 20 resistance determinants were assessed with their prevalence and distributions obtained as follows for FMS and INMS respectively; [aminoglycosides:aadA(40.6%; 31.9%),aacC2(21.4%; 31%),aphA1(20.8%; 15.1%),aphA2(37.7%; 18.9%) andstrA(6.5%; 9.4%)], [β-lactams:ampC(20%; 45%),blaTEM, (4.4%; 13.3), andblaZ(8.9%; 2.2%)], [Chloramphenicol:catI(1.7%; 1.7%), andcmIA1(1.7%; 1.7%)] and [tetracyclines:tetA(7.7%; 15.4%),tetB(11.5%; 24%), andtetM, (1.9%; 8.7%)], and [sulfonamides: sul1 (22.2%; 26.7%), sul2 (17.8%; 6.7%)].ConclusionMultiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) indexes ranged from 0.2 - 0.5. The results reveal a high prevalence of multidrug-resistantE. coliisolates and resistance determinants suggesting that consumers and handlers of such meat are at risk of contracting antibiotic resistantE. coli-related foodborne disease.

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Design, Overproduction and Purification of the Chimeric Phage Lysin MLTphg Fighting against Staphylococcus aureus

Processes ◽

10.3390/pr8121587 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (12) ◽

pp. 1587

Author(s):

Feng Wang ◽

Xiaohang Liu ◽

Zhengyu Deng ◽

Yao Zhang ◽

Xinyu Ji ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Staphylococcus Aureus ◽

Bacterial Infections ◽

Antimicrobial Agents ◽

Multidrug Resistant ◽

Resistant Bacteria ◽

Antibiotic Resistant ◽

E Coli ◽

Conventional Antibiotics ◽

Phage Lysin ◽

Shed Light

With the increasing spread of multidrug-resistant bacterial pathogens, it is of great importance to develop alternatives to conventional antibiotics. Here, we report the generation of a chimeric phage lysin, MLTphg, which was assembled by joining the lysins derived from Meiothermus bacteriophage MMP7 and Thermus bacteriophage TSP4 with a flexible linker via chimeolysin engineering. As a potential antimicrobial agent, MLTphg can be obtained by overproduction in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3) cells and the following Ni-affinity chromatography. Finally, we recovered about 40 ± 1.9 mg of MLTphg from 1 L of the host E. coli BL21(DE3) culture. The purified MLTphg showed peak activity against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC6538 between 35 and 40 °C, and maintained approximately 44.5 ± 2.1% activity at room temperature (25 °C). Moreover, as a produced chimera, it exhibited considerably improved bactericidal activity against Staphylococcus aureus (2.9 ± 0.1 log10 reduction was observed upon 40 nM MLTphg treatment at 37 °C for 30 min) and also a group of antibiotic-resistant bacteria compared to its parental lysins, TSPphg and MMPphg. In the current age of growing antibiotic resistance, our results provide an engineering basis for developing phage lysins as novel antimicrobial agents and shed light on bacteriophage-based strategies to tackle bacterial infections.

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