scholarly journals Molecular characterisation of antimicrobial resistance and virulence genes in Escherichia coli strains isolated from diarrhoeic and healthy rabbits in Tunisia

2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 81
Author(s):  
Raouia Ben Rhouma ◽  
Ahlem Jouini ◽  
Amira Klibi ◽  
Safa Hamrouni ◽  
Aziza Boubaker ◽  
...  

The purpose of this study was to identify <em>Escherichia coli</em> isolates in diarrhoeic and healthy rabbits in Tunisia and characterise their virulence and antibiotic resistance genes. In the 2014-2015 period, 60 faecal samples from diarrhoeic and healthy rabbits were collected from different breeding farms in Tunisia. Susceptibility to 14 antimicrobial agents was tested by disc diffusion method and the mechanisms of gene resistance were evaluated using polymerase chain reaction and sequencing methods. Forty <em>E. coli</em> isolates were recovered in selective media. High frequency of resistance to tetracycline (95%) was detected, followed by different levels of resistance to sulphonamide (72.5%), streptomycin (62.5%), trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (60%), nalidixic acid (32.5%), ampicillin (37.5%) and ticarcillin (35%). <em>E. coli</em> strains were susceptible to cefotaxime, ceftazidime and imipenem. Different variants of bla<sub>TEM</sub>, <em>tet</em>, <em>sul</em> genes were detected in most of the strains resistant to ampicillin, tetracycline and sulphonamide, respectively. The presence of class 1 integron was studied in 29 sulphonamide-resistant <em>E. coli</em> strains from which 15 harboured class 1 integron with four different arrangements of gene cassettes, <em>dfrA17</em>+<em>aadA5</em> (n=9), <em>dfrA1</em> + <em>aadA1</em> (n=4), <em>dfrA12</em> + <em>addA2</em> (n=1), <em>dfrA12</em>+<em>orf</em>+<em>addA2</em> (n=1). The <em>qnrB</em> gene was detected in six strains out of 13 quinolone-resistant <em>E. coli</em> strains. Seventeen <em>E. coli</em> isolates from diarrhoeic rabbits harboured the enteropathogenic eae genes associated with different virulence genes tested (<em>fimA</em>, <em>cnf1</em>, <em>aer</em>), and affiliated to B2 (n=8) and D (n=9) phylogroups. Isolated <em>E. coli</em> strains from healthy rabbit were harbouring <em>fim A</em> and/or <em>cnf1</em> genes and affiliated to A and B1 phylogroups. This study showed that <em>E. coli</em> strains from the intestinal tract of rabbits are resistant to the widely prescribed antibiotics in medicine. Therefore, they constitute a reservoir of antimicrobial-resistant genes, which may play a significant role in the spread of antimicrobial resistance. In addition, the eae virulence gene seemed to be implicated in diarrhoea in breeder rabbits in Tunisia.

2019 ◽  
Vol 64 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Qingyang Li ◽  
Peng Zhao ◽  
Lili Li ◽  
Haifeng Zhao ◽  
Lei Shi ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Microbial multidrug resistance (MDR) poses a huge threat to human health. Bacterial acquisition of MDR relies primarily on class 1 integron-involved horizontal gene transfer (HGT) of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). To date, no strategies other than the use of antibiotics can efficiently cope with MDR. Here, we report that an engineered CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) system can markedly reduce MDR by blocking a class 1 integron in Escherichia coli. Using CRISPRi to block plasmid R388 class 1 integron, E. coli recombinants showed halted growth upon exposure to relevant antibiotics. A microplate alamarBlue assay showed that both subgenomic RNAs (sgRNAs) R3 and R6 led to 8- and 32-fold decreases in half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50) for trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole, respectively. Reverse transcription and quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) revealed that the strain employing sgRNA R6 exhibited 97% and 84% decreases in the transcriptional levels of the dfrB2 cassette and sul1, two typical ARGs, respectively. RT-qPCR analysis also demonstrated that the strain recruiting sgRNA R3 showed a 96% decrease in the transcriptional level of intI1, and a conjugation assay revealed a 1,000-fold decrease in HGT rates of ARGs. Overall, the sgRNA R3 targeting the 31 bp downstream of the Pc promoter on the intI1 nontemplate strand outperformed other sgRNAs in reducing integron activity. Furthermore, this CRISPRi system is reversible, genetically stable, and titratable by varying the concentration of the inducer. To our knowledge, this is the first report on exploiting a CRISPRi system to reduce the class 1 integron in E. coli. This study provides valuable insights for future development of CRISPRi-based antimicrobial agents and cellular therapy to suppress MDR.


2017 ◽  
Vol 80 (11) ◽  
pp. 1877-1881 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leila Ben Said ◽  
Mouna Hamdaoui ◽  
Ahlem Jouini ◽  
Abdellatif Boudabous ◽  
Karim Ben Slama ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to determine the carriage rate of Escherichia coli isolates in seafood, to analyze the phenotype and genotype of antimicrobial resistance in the recovered isolates, and to characterize extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) E. coli producers. E. coli isolates were recovered from 24 (34.3%) of the 70 seafood samples analyzed, and one isolate per sample was further characterized. Antibiotic resistance was determined by the disk diffusion method in the 24 isolates, with the following results (number of resistant isolates): tetracycline (8), streptomycin (7), ampicillin (6), trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (4), chloramphenicol (4), ciprofloxacin (3), cefotaxime (2), and ceftazidime (2). Six isolates showed a multiresistant phenotype (including at least three families of antibiotics). Among tetracycline-resistant E. coli isolates, tet(A) was detected in five isolates and tet(B) in two isolates. The qnr(A) or aac(6′)-1b-cr genes were detected in two ciprofloxacin-resistant E. coli isolates, and the sul2 gene in two trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole–resistant isolates. ESBL-containing E. coli isolates, carrying the blaCTX-M-1 gene, were detected in 2 of the 70 seafood samples, obtained from gilt-head bream aquaculture. The ESBL isolates were typed phylogenetically and by multilocus sequence typing, and they were ascribed to lineage ST48/A and to the new ST3497/B1; these isolates carried the fimA, aer, and papGIII virulence genes. One of the ESBL-producing E. coli isolates carried an unusual class 1 integron (with the array dfr32-ereA-aadA1). Seafood could be a source of multiresistant E. coli isolates for the aquatic environment, and these could enter the food chain.


2019 ◽  
Vol 82 (7) ◽  
pp. 1183-1190
Author(s):  
SE HYUN SON ◽  
KWANG WON SEO ◽  
YEONG BIN KIM ◽  
HYE YOUNG JEON ◽  
EUN BI NOH ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Edible offal, which is the nonmuscular part of the livestock, is a popular food product in many countries. However, it can be easily contaminated by bacteria, such as Escherichia coli, during slaughter and processing and regarded as a reservoir for transfer of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria to humans. This study aimed to investigate prevalence and characteristics of antimicrobial-resistant E. coli isolates from edible offal in Korea. A total of 320 chicken offal samples, 540 pig offal samples, and 560 cattle offal samples were collected. Among the 118 E. coli isolates obtained, resistance to at least one antimicrobial agent was revealed in 32 (100%), 46 (95.8%), and 26 (68.4%) isolates of chicken, pig, and cattle offals, respectively, with an overall prevalence of 88.1% (104 of 118). The isolates from chicken offal showed highest resistance to most antimicrobial agents, with the exception of higher ampicillin resistance for isolates from pig offal. In the distribution of antimicrobial resistance genes of 69 (58.5%) multidrug-resistant (MDR) E. coli, blaTEM-1 (97.1%), tetA (76.6%), sul2 (70.6%), and cmlA (57.4%) were most prevalent. Class 1 and class 2 integrons were detected in 82.6 and 2.9% of the MDR isolates, respectively. In total, seven virulence genes (eaeA, escV, astA, fimH, papC, sfa/focDE, and iucC) were also identified in the MDR isolates. The fimH gene was the most frequent (91.3%). Overall, 52 isolates from chicken (24 isolates, 96.0%), pig (16 isolates, 55.2%) and cattle (12 isolates, 80.0%) offals among MDR isolates were found to have some plasmid replicons. Frep (38 isolates) and FIB (27 isolates) replicons were more prevalent than other replicon types. The results suggest that edible offal can become a relevant reservoir of E. coli strains carrying various antimicrobial resistance and virulence genes. HIGHLIGHTS


2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 1588-1593
Author(s):  
Zuhair Bani Ismail ◽  
Sameeh M. Abutarbush

Background and Aim: Mastitis is a common and economically important disease in dairy cattle. It remains one of the most common reasons for the extensive use of antimicrobials in dairy farms leading to the emergence of antimicrobial-resistant pathogens. The aim of this study was to determine the patterns of antimicrobial resistance of Escherichia coli isolates from bovine mastitis and to identify prominent antimicrobial resistance and virulence genes among isolated strains. Materials and Methods: Antimicrobial susceptibility testing against six antibiotic groups, including tetracyclines, aminoglycosides, beta-lactams, macrolides, sulfonamides, and fluoroquinolones was performed using the disk diffusion method. PCR was performed on resistant isolates to detect resistance and virulence genes using commercially available primers. Results: Out of 216 milk samples cultured, 14 samples yielded E. coli isolates. All isolates (100%) were resistant to ampicillin, amoxicillin, procaine penicillin, streptomycin, oxytetracycline, and sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim. Only one isolate (7%) was sensitive to gentamicin, and all isolates (100%) were sensitive to enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin. All isolates carried at least one resistance gene against one or more of the major antibiotic groups. All isolates carried the ereA, tetG, tetE, and tetB genes, followed by tetA (93%), ampC (86%), strA (86%), sul1 (78%), tetD (71%), tetC (57%), aadA (57%), and strB (36%). The lowest percentage of isolates carried bla1 (17%) and bla2 (12%) genes, and none of the isolates carried the qnrA gene. Most of the isolates (93%) carried the Shiga toxin 1 virulence gene, followed by complement resistance protein (79%), intimin (64%), Shiga toxin 2 (36%), cytotoxic necrotizing factor (35%), aerotaxis receptor (21%), and type 1 fimbriae (15%). Conclusion: Results of this study indicate that the high percentages of E. coli isolate from bovine mastitis are resistant to two or more of the major antibiotic groups, irrespective of the presence or absence of relevant resistance or virulence genes.


2007 ◽  
Vol 73 (20) ◽  
pp. 6566-6576 ◽  
Author(s):  
Moussa S. Diarra ◽  
Fred G. Silversides ◽  
Fatoumata Diarrassouba ◽  
Jane Pritchard ◽  
Luke Masson ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT The effects of feed supplementation with the approved antimicrobial agents bambermycin, penicillin, salinomycin, and bacitracin or a combination of salinomycin plus bacitracin were evaluated for the incidence and distribution of antibiotic resistance in 197 commensal Escherichia coli isolates from broiler chickens over 35 days. All isolates showed some degree of multiple antibiotic resistance. Resistance to tetracycline (68.5%), amoxicillin (61.4%), ceftiofur (51.3%), spectinomycin (47.2%), and sulfonamides (42%) was most frequent. The levels of resistance to streptomycin, chloramphenicol, and gentamicin were 33.5, 35.5, and 25.3%, respectively. The overall resistance levels decreased from day 7 to day 35 (P < 0.001). Comparing treatments, the levels of resistance to ceftiofur, spectinomycin, and gentamicin (except for resistance to bacitracin treatment) were significantly higher in isolates from chickens receiving feed supplemented with salinomycin than from the other feeds (P < 0.001). Using a DNA microarray analysis capable of detecting commonly found antimicrobial resistance genes, we characterized 104 tetracycline-resistant E. coli isolates from 7- to 28-day-old chickens fed different growth promoters. Results showed a decrease in the incidence of isolates harboring tet(B), bla TEM, sulI, and aadA and class 1 integron from days 7 to 35 (P < 0.01). Of the 84 tetracycline-ceftiofur-resistant E. coli isolates, 76 (90.5%) were positive for bla CMY-2. The proportions of isolates positive for sulI, aadA, and integron class 1 were significantly higher in salinomycin-treated chickens than in the control or other treatment groups (P < 0.05). These data demonstrate that multiantibiotic-resistant E. coli isolates can be found in broiler chickens regardless of the antimicrobial growth promoters used. However, the phenotype and the distribution of resistance determinants in E. coli can be modulated by feed supplementation with some of the antimicrobial agents used in broiler chicken production.


2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. 319-327
Author(s):  
Atchariya YOSBOONRUANG ◽  
Anong KIDDEE ◽  
Chatsuda BOONDUANG ◽  
Phannarai PIBALPAKDEE

Escherichia coli is a serious cause of a variety of hospital-acquired infections and commonly contributes to the environment by house flies. Integrons, particularly class 1 integrons, are the genetic elements that play an important role in the horizontal transfer of antimicrobial resistance mechanism. This mechanism is commonly found in Enterobacteriaceae, especially E. coli. In this study, we aim to investigate the occurrence and antimicrobial resistance patterns of E. coli isolated from the house flies in Phayao hospital and to determine the gene expression of class 1 integrons in those isolates of E. coli. Totally, 70 isolates of E. coli were isolated from 60 house flies collected from the hospital. Fifty-seven of the isolates (81.43 %) were multidrug resistance (MDR) and highly resistant to b-lactams, tetracyclines, and sulfonamides. Of 57 isolates of MDR-E. coli, 20 isolates (35 %) were found to carry class 1 integron genes. Fifteen patterns of antimicrobial resistance occurred in the isolates of integron-positive E. coli. Most integron-positive E. coli isolates were resistant to 7 antimicrobials. Two isolates of these bacteria (10 %) were able to resist 13 out of 14 tested antimicrobials. Using PCR and sequencing analysis, an investigation showed that dfrA17-aadA5, dfrA12-aadA2 gene cassette was the most prevalent cassette (n = 10; 50 %) among the integron-positive E. coli isolates. Our results indicated that the presences of multidrug resistance and class 1 integrons were common in E. coli isolated from the houseflies in hospital. Therefore, screening for integron-positive E. coli from the hospital environment might be necessary for prevention of nosocomial infections.


2015 ◽  
Vol 78 (8) ◽  
pp. 1442-1450 ◽  
Author(s):  
KANJANA CHANGKAEW ◽  
APIRADEE INTARAPUK ◽  
FUANGFA UTRARACHKIJ ◽  
CHIE NAKAJIMA ◽  
ORASA SUTHIENKUL ◽  
...  

Administration of antimicrobials to food-producing animals increases the risk of higher antimicrobial resistance in the normal intestinal flora of these animals. The present cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate antimicrobial susceptibility and extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)–producing strains and to characterize class 1 integrons in Escherichia coli in healthy swine in Thailand. All 122 of the tested isolates had drug-resistant phenotypes. High resistance was found to ampicillin (98.4% of isolates), chloramphenicol (95.9%), gentamicin (78.7%), streptomycin (77.9%), tetracycline (74.6%), and cefotaxime (72.1%). Fifty-four (44.3%) of the E. coli isolates were confirmed as ESBL-producing strains. Among them, blaCTX-M (45 isolates) and blaTEM (41 isolates) were detected. Of the blaCTX-M-positive E. coli isolates, 37 carried the blaCTX-M-1 cluster, 12 carried the blaCTX-M-9 cluster, and 5 carried both clusters. Sequence analysis revealed blaTEM-1, blaTEM-135, and blaTEM-175 in 38, 2, and 1 isolate, respectively. Eighty-seven (71%) of the 122isolates carried class 1 integrons, and eight distinct drug-resistance gene cassettes with seven different integron profiles were identified in 43 of these isolates. Gene cassettes were associated with resistance to aminoglycosides (aadA1, aadA2, aadA22, or aadA23), trimethoprim (dfrA5, dfrA12, or dfrA17), and lincosamide (linF). Genes encoding β-lactamases were not found in class 1 integrons. This study is the first to report ESBL-producing E. coli with a class 1 integron carrying the linF gene cassette in swine in Thailand. Our findings confirm that swine can be a reservoir of ESBL-producing E. coli harboring class 1 integrons, which may become a potential health risk if these integrons are transmitted to humans. Intensive analyses of animal, human, and environmental isolates are needed to control the spread of ESBL-producing E. coli strains.


2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 163 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leandro Parussolo ◽  
Ricardo Antônio Pilegi Sfaciotte ◽  
Karine Andrezza Dalmina ◽  
Fernanda Danielle Melo ◽  
Ubirajara Maciel Costa ◽  
...  

The serrano artisanal cheese is a typical product from South region of Brazil, which is produced by skilled cheesemakers using raw milk. The contamination of this food by Escherichia coli has a great impact on public health, since it could threat the consumers’ health. The study evaluated the presence of virulence genes, antimicrobial susceptibility profiles and bofilm-production ability of Escherichia coli isolates obtained from raw milk and artisanal cheese produced in Southern Brazil. A total of 117 isolates of E. coli were characterized by multiplex PCR to detect the following virulence genes: eae for enteropatogenic E. coli (EPEC), lt and st for enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC), stx for shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), stx and eae for enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC), ipaH for enteroinvasive E. coli (EIEC) and aggR for enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC). In addition, antimicrobial susceptibility profile to 22 antimicrobial agents was also performed by disk diffusion method, and we searched for extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL) and/or carbapenemase- producing isolates. Isolates that were positive for ESBL and carbapenemase were further investigated for the presence of the genes: blaTEM, blaSHV, blaOXA, blaCTX-M, for ESBL and blaOXA-48 for carbapenemase. Further, isolates had their ability to form biofilms investigated by the red Congo agar method. Virulence genes of E. coli were identified in 21.37% of the tested isolates, which were classified as EPEC (the most prevalent pathotype) and ETEC or EAEC. Ten (8.55%) of the total studied E. coli isolates revealed a multidrug-resistant profile, since they were resistant to three or more antimicrobial classes; whereas four isolates (3.42%) were classified as ESBL-producers and showed the presence of blaTEM gene. None of the isolates exhibited carbapenemase activity nor did they carry carbapenemase genes. From the total of E. coli isolates, 79 (67.52%) were considered potential biofilm producers. These results address a serious public health issue, since artisanal cheeses pose a risk to consumers’ health, since may be sources of dissemination of diarrheogenic E. coli, that can cause from subclinical to severe and fatal infections in children and adults, and also emphasize the need to improve adaptations/adjustments in the manufacturing processes of these products.


2008 ◽  
Vol 71 (8) ◽  
pp. 1679-1684 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. L. KHAITSA ◽  
J. OLOYA ◽  
D. DOETKOTT ◽  
R. KEGODE

The objective of this study was to quantify the role of class 1 integrons in antimicrobial resistance in Escherichia coli isolated from turkey meat products purchased from retail outlets in the Midwestern United States. Of 242 E. coli isolates, 41.3% (102 of 242) tested positive for class 1 integrons. A significant association was shown between presence of class 1 integrons in E. coli isolates and the resistance to tetracycline, ampicillin, streptomycin, gentamicin, sulfisoxazole, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Attributable risk analysis revealed that for every 100 E. coli isolates carrying class 1 integrons, resistance was demonstrated for ampicillin (22%), gentamycin (48%), streptomycin (29%), sulfisoxazole (40%), trimethoprimsulfamethoxazole (7%), and tetracycline (26%). Non–integron-related antimicrobial resistance was demonstrated for ampicillin (65%), gentamycin (16.9%), streptomycin (42.1%), sulfisoxazole (35.8%), and tetracycline (49.7%). Population-attributable fraction analysis showed that class 1 integrons accounted for the following resistances: gentamycin, 71% (50 of 71), amoxicillin–clavulanic acid, 19.6% (6 of 33), nalidixic acid, 34% (7 of 21), streptomycin, 28% (30 of 107), sulfisoxazole, 38% (40 of 106), and tetracycline, 14%, (26 of 185). In conclusion, although class 1 integrons have been implicated in resistance to antimicrobial agents, other non–integron resistance mechanisms seem to play an important part.


2009 ◽  
Vol 72 (5) ◽  
pp. 1082-1088 ◽  
Author(s):  
AHLEM JOUINI ◽  
KARIM BEN SLAMA ◽  
YOLANDA SÁENZ ◽  
NAOUEL KLIBI ◽  
DANIELA COSTA ◽  
...  

Phenotypic and genotypic characterization of antimicrobial resistance was conducted for 98 Escherichia coli isolates recovered from 40 food samples of animal origin (poultry, sheep, beef, fish, and others) obtained in supermarkets and local butcheries in Tunis during 2004 and 2005. Susceptibility to 15 antimicrobial agents was tested by disk diffusion and agar dilution methods, the mechanisms of resistance were evaluated using PCR and sequencing methods, and the clonal relationship among isolates was evaluated using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. High resistance was detected to tetracycline, sulphonamides, nalidixic acid, ampicillin, streptomycin, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (29 to 43% of isolates), but all isolates were susceptible to cefotaxime, ceftazidime, cefoxitin, azthreonam, and amikacin. One-third of the isolates had multiresistant phenotypes (resistance to at least five different families of antimicrobial agents). Different variants of blaTEM, tet, sul, dfrA, aadA, and aac(3) genes were detected in most of the strains resistant to ampicillin, tetracycline, sulphonamide, trimethoprim, streptomycin, and gentamicin, respectively. The presence of class 1 and class 2 integrons was studied in 15 sulphonamide-resistant unrelated E. coli strains, and 14 of these strains harbored class 1 integrons with five different arrangements of gene cassettes, and a class 2 integron with the dfrA1 + sat + aadA1 arrangement was found in one strain. This study revealed the high diversity of antimicrobial resistance genes, some of them included in integrons, in E. coli isolates of food origin.


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