Characterization of Tn7-like transposons and its related antibiotic resistance among Enterobacteriaceae from livestock and poultry in China

Abstract Background: This study was aimed to investigate the prevalence and structure of Tn7-like in Enterobacteriaceae from livestock and poultry as well as their possible role as reservoir of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs).Methods: Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA sequencing analyses were used for the characterization of Tn7-like, associated integrons and ARGs. The antimicrobial resistance profile of the isolates was examined by using disc diffusion test.Results: Three hundred and seventy-eight Tn7-like-positive strains of Enterobacteriaceae were isolated, and included E. coli (128), Proteus(150), K. pneumonia(17), Salmonella(13), M. morganii (21) and A. baumannii(1), wherein high resistance was observed for Trimethoprim/Sulfamethoxazole and Streptomycin, and fifty percent of the strains were multidrug-resistant. Integrons class 2 were detected in all of the isolates and there are high frequency mutation sites especially in 535, a stop mutation. Variable region of class 2 integrons carried same gene cassettes, namely aadA1-sat2-dfrA1. From the 378 isolated strains, we found a new type of Tn7-like on a plasmid, named Tn6765.Conclusions: These findings proved that the Tn7-like can contribute to the horizontal transmission of antibiotic resistant genes in livestock and poultry. As potential vessels for antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), Tn7-like could not be ignored due to their efficient transfer ability in environments.

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Characterization of Antibiotic Resistance E. Coli and Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Aquatic Environment of Taihu Lake, China

Applied Mechanics and Materials ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/amm.295-298.630 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 295-298 ◽

pp. 630-634 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Ni Ni Han ◽

Song He Zhang ◽

Pei Fang Wang ◽

Chao Wang

Keyword(s):

Escherichia Coli ◽

Antibiotic Resistance ◽

Surface Water ◽

Resistance Genes ◽

Taihu Lake ◽

Antibiotic Resistance Genes ◽

Antibiotic Resistant ◽

E Coli ◽

Realtime Pcr

The aims of this study are to evaluate multiple antibiotic resistant Escherichia coli isolated from surface water and to investigate the presence and distribution antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in sediments of Taihu Lake. The results show that the presentence of four ARGs concentrations in the sediments of the lake was in sequence: strB>qnrB>strA>qnrS, as determined by realtime-PCR technique. The southwest and east areas of Taihu Lake were polluted seriously than other areas from all kinds of antibiotics. The screening Escherichia coli had a higher resistance to streptomycin, tetracycline and ampicillin than other four antibiotics, and had a lowest resistance to levofloxacin.

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Therapeutic effect of biosynthetic gold nanoparticles on multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli and Salmonella species isolated from ruminants

Veterinary World ◽

10.14202/vetworld.2021.3200-3210 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 3200-3210

Author(s):

Abeer M. Abdalhamed ◽

Alaa A. Ghazy ◽

Eman S. Ibrahim ◽

Amany A. Arafa ◽

Gamil S. G. Zeedan

Keyword(s):

Escherichia Coli ◽

Gold Nanoparticles ◽

Antibiotic Resistance ◽

Resistance Genes ◽

Antibiotic Resistance Genes ◽

Multidrug Resistant ◽

Pathogenic Microorganisms ◽

Salmonella Spp ◽

Antibiotic Resistant ◽

E Coli

Background and Aim: Multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogenic microorganisms have become a global problem in ruminants as a result of the intensive use of antibiotics, causing the development of resistance among gut microbiota. The antibiotic-resistant microorganisms can be transferred from diseased animals to humans. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of MDR Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. isolated from cattle, buffaloes, sheep, and goats suffering from respiratory signs, diarrhea, and mastitis and to screen the antibiotic sensitivity of selected isolated bacteria. It also detected antibiotic-resistance genes by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), produced green gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) using plant extracts (Artemisia herba-alba and Morus alba), and evaluated the antimicrobial activities of these biosynthesized nanoparticles on selected pathogens (E. coli and Salmonella spp.). Materials and Methods: MDR E. coli and Salmonella spp. were investigated using fecal samples (n=408), nasal swabs (n=358), and milk samples (n=227) of cattle, buffaloes, sheep, and goats with or without clinical signs, including respiratory manifestations, pneumonia, diarrhea, and mastitis, from different governorates in Egypt. E. coli and Salmonella spp. were isolated and identified on selective media, which were confirmed by biochemical reactions and PCR. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing against 10 commonly used antibiotics was performed using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. Antibiotic resistance genes blaTEM, blaSHV, blaOXA, and blaCTX-M were detected by PCR. The antibacterial effect of the biosynthesized AuNPs was evaluated by MIC and well diffusion assay. The biosynthesized AuNPs were also characterized by ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Results: Among all fecal samples, the prevalence of E. coli was 18.4% (183/993) and that of Salmonella spp. was 16.7% (66/408), as determined by cultural and molecular tests. All isolates of E. coli and Salmonella spp. were 100% resistant to ampicillin (AM) and amoxicillin and highly resistant to cefoxitin and AM-sulbactam. The total rate of resistance genes in E. coli was 61.2% (112/183), while that in Salmonella was 63.6% (42/66) for pathogens isolated from ruminants with respiratory manifestations, pneumonia, diarrhea, and mastitis. Among the resistance genes, blaTEM had the highest prevalence rate in E. coli (25.9%, 21/81) while blaSHV had the lowest (9.8%, 8/81) in fecal swabs. AuNPs were successfully synthesized using aqueous leaf extract of A. herba-alba and M. alba as bioreducing agents. TEM analysis showed particle size of 10-42 nm for A. herba-alba and M. alba AuNPs. The biosynthesized AuNPs showed antibacterial activity against MDR E. coli and Salmonella spp. Conclusion: Rapid and accurate diagnostic methods are the cornerstone for effective treatment to reduce the risk of antimicrobial-resistant pathogenic microorganisms. This is particularly important for overcoming the increasing rate of MDR in ruminants with respiratory manifestations, pneumonia, diarrhea, and mastitis. This can be complemented by the development of AuNPs synthesized in an environmentally friendly manner AuNPs using natural plant extracts for the treatment of antibiotic-resistant microorganisms.

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Mechanisms of Resistance in Multiple-Antibiotic-Resistant Escherichia coli Strains of Human, Animal, and Food Origins

Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy ◽

10.1128/aac.48.10.3996-4001.2004 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 48 (10) ◽

pp. 3996-4001 ◽

Cited By ~ 269

Author(s):

Yolanda Sáenz ◽

Laura Briñas ◽

Elena Domínguez ◽

Joaquim Ruiz ◽

Myriam Zarazaga ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Escherichia Coli ◽

Antibiotic Resistance ◽

Amino Acid ◽

Resistance Genes ◽

Antibiotic Resistance Genes ◽

Mechanisms Of Resistance ◽

Antibiotic Resistant ◽

E Coli ◽

Class 1 ◽

Human Animal

ABSTRACT Seventeen multiple-antibiotic-resistant nonpathogenic Escherichia coli strains of human, animal, and food origins showed a wide variety of antibiotic resistance genes, many of them carried by class 1 and class 2 integrons. Amino acid changes in MarR and mutations in marO were identified for 15 and 14 E. coli strains, respectively.

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Antibiotic-resistant Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. associated with dairy cattle and farm environment having public health significance

Veterinary World ◽

10.14202/vetworld.2019.984-993 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 12 (7) ◽

pp. 984-993 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Md. Abdus Sobur ◽

Abdullah Al Momen Sabuj ◽

Ripon Sarker ◽

A. M. M. Taufiqur Rahman ◽

S. M. Lutful Kabir ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Escherichia Coli ◽

Antibiotic Resistance ◽

Resistance Genes ◽

One Health ◽

Dairy Farm ◽

Antibiotic Resistance Genes ◽

Salmonella Spp ◽

Antibiotic Resistant ◽

E Coli

Aim: The present study was carried out to determine load of total bacteria, Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. in dairy farm and its environmental components. In addition, the antibiogram profile of the isolated bacteria having public health impact was also determined along with identification of virulence and resistance genes by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) under a one-health approach. Materials and Methods: A total of 240 samples of six types (cow dung - 15, milk - 10, milkers' hand wash - 10, soil - 10 water - 5, and vegetables - 10) were collected from four dairy farms. For enumeration, the samples were cultured onto plate count agar, eosin methylene blue, and xylose-lysine deoxycholate agar and the isolation and identification of the E. coli and Salmonella spp. were performed based on morphology, cultural, staining, and biochemical properties followed by PCR. The pathogenic strains of E. coli stx1, stx2, and rfbO157 were also identified through PCR. The isolates were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility test against 12 commonly used antibiotics by disk diffusion method. Detection of antibiotic resistance genes ereA, tetA, tetB, and SHV were performed by PCR. Results: The mean total bacterial count, E. coli and Salmonella spp. count in the samples ranged from 4.54±0.05 to 8.65±0.06, 3.62±0.07 to 7.04±0.48, and 2.52±0.08 to 5.87±0.05 log colony-forming unit/g or ml, respectively. Out of 240 samples, 180 (75%) isolates of E. coli and 136 (56.67%) isolates of Salmonella spp. were recovered through cultural and molecular tests. Among the 180 E. coli isolates, 47 (26.11%) were found positive for the presence of all the three virulent genes, of which stx1 was the most prevalent (13.33%). Only three isolates were identified as enterohemorrhagic E. coli. Antibiotic sensitivity test revealed that both E. coli and Salmonella spp. were found highly resistant to azithromycin, tetracycline, erythromycin, oxytetracycline, and ertapenem and susceptible to gentamycin, ciprofloxacin, and imipenem. Among the four antibiotic resistance genes, the most observable was tetA (80.51-84.74%) in E. coli and Salmonella spp. and SHV genes were the lowest one (22.06-25%). Conclusion: Dairy farm and their environmental components carry antibiotic-resistant pathogenic E. coli and Salmonella spp. that are potential threat for human health which requires a one-health approach to combat the threat.

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Predicting Antibiotic Resistance in Gram-Negative Bacilli from Resistance Genes

Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy ◽

10.1128/aac.02462-18 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 63 (4) ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

G. Terrance Walker ◽

Julia Quan ◽

Stephen G. Higgins ◽

Nikhil Toraskar ◽

Weizhong Chang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Antibiotic Resistance ◽

Resistance Genes ◽

Antibiotic Resistance Genes ◽

Unknown Origin ◽

Bacterial Isolates ◽

Antibiotic Resistant ◽

Predictive Values ◽

Content Type ◽

Phenotypic Resistance ◽

E Coli

ABSTRACT We developed a rapid high-throughput PCR test and evaluated highly antibiotic-resistant clinical isolates of Escherichia coli (n = 2,919), Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 1,974), Proteus mirabilis (n = 1,150), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 1,484) for several antibiotic resistance genes for comparison with phenotypic resistance across penicillins, cephalosporins, carbapenems, aminoglycosides, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, fluoroquinolones, and macrolides. The isolates originated from hospitals in North America (34%), Europe (23%), Asia (13%), South America (12%), Africa (7%), or Oceania (1%) or were of unknown origin (9%). We developed statistical methods to predict phenotypic resistance from resistance genes for 49 antibiotic-organism combinations, including gentamicin, tobramycin, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, ertapenem, imipenem, cefazolin, cefepime, cefotaxime, ceftazidime, ceftriaxone, ampicillin, and aztreonam. Average positive predictive values for genotypic prediction of phenotypic resistance were 91% for E. coli, 93% for K. pneumoniae, 87% for P. mirabilis, and 92% for P. aeruginosa across the various antibiotics for this highly resistant cohort of bacterial isolates.

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Conjugative delivery of CRISPR-Cas9 for the selective depletion of antibiotic-resistant enterococci

10.1101/678573 ◽

2019 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Marinelle Rodrigues ◽

Sara W. McBride ◽

Karthik Hullahalli ◽

Kelli L. Palmer ◽

Breck A. Duerkop

Keyword(s):

Antibiotic Resistance ◽

Enterococcus Faecalis ◽

Resistance Genes ◽

Bacterial Infections ◽

Antibiotic Resistance Genes ◽

Multidrug Resistant ◽

Conjugative Plasmid ◽

Antibiotic Resistant ◽

Resistance Determinants

AbstractThe innovation of new therapies to combat multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria is being outpaced by the continued rise of MDR bacterial infections. Of particular concern are hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) recalcitrant to antibiotic therapies. The Gram-positive intestinal pathobiontEnterococcus faecalisis associated with HAIs and some strains are MDR. Therefore, novel strategies to controlE. faecalispopulations are needed. We previously characterized anE. faecalisType II CRISPR-Cas system and demonstrated its utility in the sequence-specific removal of antibiotic resistance determinants. Here we present work describing the adaption of this CRISPR-Cas system into a constitutively expressed module encoded on a pheromone-responsive conjugative plasmid that efficiently transfers toE. faecalisfor the selective removal of antibiotic resistance genes. Usingin vitrocompetition assays, we show that these CRISPR-Cas-encoding delivery plasmids, or CRISPR-Cas antimicrobials, can reduce the occurrence of antibiotic resistance in enterococcal populations in a sequence-specific manner. Furthermore, we demonstrate that deployment of CRISPR-Cas antimicrobials in the murine intestine reduces the occurrence of antibiotic-resistantE. faecalisby several orders of magnitude. Finally, we show thatE. faecalisdonor strains harboring CRISPR-Cas antimicrobials are immune to uptake of antibiotic resistance determinantsin vivo. Our results demonstrate that conjugative delivery of CRISPR-Cas antimicrobials may be adaptable for future deployment from probiotic bacteria for exact targeting of defined MDR bacteria or for precision engineering of polymicrobial communities in the mammalian intestine.ImportanceCRISPR-Cas nucleic acid targeting systems hold promise for the amelioration of multidrug-resistant enterococci, yet the utility of such tools in the context of the intestinal environment where enterococci reside is understudied. We describe the development of a CRISPR-Cas antimicrobial, deployed on a conjugative plasmid, for the targeted removal of antibiotic resistance genes from intestinalEnterococcus faecalis. We demonstrate that CRISPR-Cas targeting reduces antibiotic resistance ofE. faecalisby several orders of magnitude in the intestine. Although barriers exist that influence the penetrance of the conjugative CRISPR-Cas antimicrobial among target recipientE. faecaliscells, the removal of antibiotic resistance genes inE. faecalisupon uptake of the CRISPR-Cas antimicrobial is absolute. In addition, cells that obtain the CRISPR-Cas antimicrobial are immunized against the acquisition of new antibiotic resistance genes. This study suggests a potential path toward plasmid based CRISPR-Cas therapies in the intestine.

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Detection of Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Some Multiple Antibiotic Resistant E. coli from Apparently Healthy Pregnant Women

Microbiology Research Journal International ◽

10.9734/mrji/2020/v30i830248 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 23-31

Author(s):

O. C. Adekunle ◽

A. J. Falade- Fatila ◽

R. Ojedele ◽

G. Odewale

Keyword(s):

Escherichia Coli ◽

Drug Resistance ◽

Antibiotic Resistance ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Resistance Genes ◽

Antibiotic Resistance Genes ◽

Multi Drug Resistance ◽

Antibiotic Resistant ◽

E Coli ◽

Apparently Healthy

The emerging drug resistance, especially among the Escherichia coli (E.coli) isolates from pregnant women, spread rapidly within the community. Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a well-known bacterial infection posing serious health problem in pregnant women. Also, multi-drug resistance is becoming rampant, and it is of serious public health concern. Treatment of E. coli is now a challenge due to continuous increase in resistance towards commonly prescribed antibiotics, thus posing a threat to treatment. Hence, the aim of the study is to determine antibiotic resistance genes in some multiple antibiotic resistant E.coli from apparently healthy pregnant women in Osun State. A cross-sectional study design was used to collect 150 mid-stream urine samples from apparently healthy pregnant women from March, 2018 to September, 2018. A well structured questionnaire and informed consent were used for data collection. Standard loop technique was used to place 0.001 ml of urine on Cysteine Lactose Electrolyte Deficient (CLED) medium, Blood agar, MacConkey agar and incubated at 37 °C for 24 h. A standard agar disc diffusion method was used to determine antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of the isolates. The molecular detection of the resistant genes was done using PCR techniques. The ages of women enrolled in this study ranges from 22 to 42 years (mean ± standard deviation = 31 ± 4.7 years). Escherichia coli showed high percentage of resistance to ampicillin and low resistance to ciprofloxacin and penicillin. All the E. coli isolates were sensitive to levofloxacin, and most were resistant to Meropenem. Multiple drug resistance was observed in all the isolates. Resistance genes in VIM 390bp, bla ctx-M 585bp and TEM 517bp were detected in some of the representative E. coli isolates profiled. This study identified the presence of Multi-drug resistance genes in E. coli associated UTI among pregnant women in Osogbo.

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Molecular detection of antimicrobial resistance genes in E. coli isolated from slaughtered commercial chickens in Iran

Veterinární Medicína ◽

10.17221/5916-vetmed ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 57 (No. 4) ◽

pp. 193-197 ◽

Cited By ~ 27

Author(s):

H. Momtaz ◽

E. Rahimi ◽

S. Moshkelani

Keyword(s):

Antibiotic Resistance ◽

Resistance Genes ◽

Molecular Detection ◽

Antimicrobial Agents ◽

Antibiotic Resistance Genes ◽

Antibiotic Resistant ◽

E Coli ◽

Antimicrobial Resistance Genes ◽

Meat Samples ◽

Commercial Chickens

This study was carried out to detect the distribution of antibiotic-resistant genes in Escherichia coli isolates from slaughtered commercial chickens in Iran by PCR. The investigated genes included aadA1, tet(A), tet(B), dfrA1, qnrA, aac(3)-IV, sul1, bla<sub>SHV</sub>, bla<sub>CMY</sub>, ere(A), catA1 and cmlA. According to biochemical experiments, 57 isolates from 360 chicken meat samples were recognized as E. coli. The distribution of antibiotic-resistance genes in the E. coli isolates included tet(A) and tet(B) (52.63%), dfrA1, qnrA, catA1 and cmlA (36.84%) and sul1 and ere(A) (47.36%), respectively. Nine strains (15.78%) were resistant to a single antimicrobial agent and 11 strains (19.29%) showed resistance to two antimicrobial agents. Multi-resistance which was defined as resistance to three or more tested agents was found in 64.91% of E. coli strains. The results indicate that all isolates harbour one or more of antibiotic resistance genes and that the PCR technique is a fast, practical and appropriate method for determining the presence of antibiotic-resistance genes.  

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Carbapenemases and Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase–Producing Multidrug-Resistant Escherichia coli Isolated from Retail Chicken in Peshawar: First Report from Pakistan

Journal of Food Protection ◽

10.4315/0362-028x.jfp-18-045 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 81 (8) ◽

pp. 1339-1345 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

KAFEEL AHMAD ◽

FARYAL KHATTAK ◽

AMJAD ALI ◽

SHAISTA RAHAT ◽

SHAZIA NOOR ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Escherichia Coli ◽

Antibiotic Resistance ◽

Nalidixic Acid ◽

Resistance Genes ◽

Antibiotic Resistance Genes ◽

Multidrug Resistant ◽

E Coli ◽

Extended Spectrum ◽

Amoxicillin Clavulanate ◽

Synergy Test

ABSTRACT We report the prevalence of extended-spectrum β-lactamases and carbapenemases in Escherichia coli isolated from retail chicken in Peshawar, Pakistan. One hundred E. coli isolates were recovered from retail chicken. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was carried out against ampicillin, chloramphenicol, kanamycin, nalidixic acid, cephalothin, gentamicin, sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim, and streptomycin. Phenotypic detection of β-lactamase production was analyzed through double disc synergy test using the antibiotics amoxicillin-clavulanate, cefotaxime, ceftazidime, cefepime, and aztreonam. Fifty multidrug-resistant isolates were screened for detection of sul1, aadA, cmlA, int, blaTEM, blaSHV, blaCTX-M, blaOXA-10, blaVIM, blaIMP, and blaNDM-1 genes. Resistance to ampicillin, nalidixic acid, kanamycin, streptomycin, cephalothin, sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim, gentamicin, cefotaxime, ceftazidime, aztreonam, cefepime, amoxicillin-clavulanate, and chloramphenicol was 92, 91, 84, 73, 70, 67, 53, 48, 40, 39, 37, 36, and 23% respectively. Prevalence of sul1, aadA, cmlA, int, blaTEM, blaCTX-M, blaIMP, and blaNDM-1 was 78% (n = 39), 76% (n = 38), 20% (n = 10), 90% (n = 45), 74% (n = 37), 94% (n = 47), 22% (n = 11), and 4% (n = 2), respectively. blaSHV, blaOXA-10, and blaVIM were not detected. The coexistence of multiple antibiotic resistance genes in multidrug-resistant strains of E. coli is alarming. Hence, robust surveillance strategies should be developed with a focus on controlling the spread of antibiotic resistance genes via the food chain.

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Recovering Escherichia coli Plasmids in the Absence of Long-Read Sequencing Data

Microorganisms ◽

10.3390/microorganisms9081613 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (8) ◽

pp. 1613

Author(s):

Julian A. Paganini ◽

Nienke L. Plantinga ◽

Sergio Arredondo-Alonso ◽

Rob J. L. Willems ◽

Anita C. Schürch

Keyword(s):

Antibiotic Resistance ◽

Resistance Genes ◽

Antibiotic Resistance Genes ◽

Multidrug Resistant ◽

Special Focus ◽

Valuable Insight ◽

Sequencing Data ◽

Extended Spectrum Beta Lactamase ◽

E Coli ◽

Long Read

The incidence of infections caused by multidrug-resistant E. coli strains has risen in the past years. Antibiotic resistance in E. coli is often mediated by acquisition and maintenance of plasmids. The study of E. coli plasmid epidemiology and genomics often requires long-read sequencing information, but recently a number of tools that allow plasmid prediction from short-read data have been developed. Here, we reviewed 25 available plasmid prediction tools and categorized them into binary plasmid/chromosome classification tools and plasmid reconstruction tools. We benchmarked six tools (MOB-suite, plasmidSPAdes, gplas, FishingForPlasmids, HyAsP and SCAPP) that aim to reliably reconstruct distinct plasmids, with a special focus on plasmids carrying antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) such as extended-spectrum beta-lactamase genes. We found that two thirds (n = 425, 66.3%) of all plasmids were correctly reconstructed by at least one of the six tools, with a range of 92 (14.58%) to 317 (50.23%) correctly predicted plasmids. However, the majority of plasmids that carried antibiotic resistance genes (n = 85, 57.8%) could not be completely recovered as distinct plasmids by any of the tools. MOB-suite was the only tool that was able to correctly reconstruct the majority of plasmids (n = 317, 50.23%), and performed best at reconstructing large plasmids (n = 166, 46.37%) and ARG-plasmids (n = 41, 27.9%), but predictions frequently contained chromosome contamination (40%). In contrast, plasmidSPAdes reconstructed the highest fraction of plasmids smaller than 18 kbp (n = 168, 61.54%). Large ARG-plasmids, however, were frequently merged with sequences derived from distinct replicons. Available bioinformatic tools can provide valuable insight into E. coli plasmids, but also have important limitations. This work will serve as a guideline for selecting the most appropriate plasmid reconstruction tool for studies focusing on E. coli plasmids in the absence of long-read sequencing data.

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