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Fernandes R, Abreu R, Serrano I, Such R, Garcia-Vila E, Quirós S, Cunha E, Tavares L, Oliveira M. Resistant Escherichia coli isolated from wild mammals from two rescue and rehabilitation centers in Costa Rica: characterization and public health relevance. Sci Rep 2024; 14:8039. [PMID: 38580725 PMCID: PMC10997758 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-57812-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to characterize the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and virulence profiles of 67 Escherichia coli isolates obtained from faecal samples of 77 wild mammals from 19 different species, admitted in two rescue and rehabilitation centers in Costa Rica. It was possible to classify 48% (n = 32) of the isolates as multidrug-resistant, and while the highest resistance levels were found towards commonly prescribed antimicrobials, resistance to fluoroquinolones and third generation cephalosporins were also observed. Isolates obtained from samples of rehabilitated animals or animals treated with antibiotics were found to have significantly higher AMR levels, with the former also having a significant association with a multidrug-resistance profile. Additionally, the isolates displayed the capacity to produce α-haemolysins (n = 64, 96%), biofilms (n = 51, 76%) and protease (n = 21, 31%). Our results showed that AMR might be a widespread phenomenon within Costa Rican wildlife and that both free-ranging and rehabilitated wild mammals are potential carriers of bacteria with important resistance and virulence profiles. These results highlight the need to study potential sources of resistance determinants to wildlife, and to determine if wild animals can disseminate resistant bacteria in the environment, potentially posing a significant threat to public health and hindering the implementation of a "One Health" approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Fernandes
- CIISA - Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar Em Sanidade Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. da Universidade Técnica, 1300-477, Lisbon, Portugal
- AL4AnimalS - Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Raquel Abreu
- CIISA - Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar Em Sanidade Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. da Universidade Técnica, 1300-477, Lisbon, Portugal
- AL4AnimalS - Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Isa Serrano
- CIISA - Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar Em Sanidade Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. da Universidade Técnica, 1300-477, Lisbon, Portugal
- AL4AnimalS - Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | | | - Sandy Quirós
- Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary, Puntarenas, Costa Rica
| | - Eva Cunha
- CIISA - Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar Em Sanidade Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. da Universidade Técnica, 1300-477, Lisbon, Portugal
- AL4AnimalS - Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Luís Tavares
- CIISA - Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar Em Sanidade Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. da Universidade Técnica, 1300-477, Lisbon, Portugal
- AL4AnimalS - Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Manuela Oliveira
- CIISA - Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar Em Sanidade Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. da Universidade Técnica, 1300-477, Lisbon, Portugal.
- AL4AnimalS - Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Lisbon, Portugal.
- cE3c - Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes & CHANGE - Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.
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Rampacci E, Diaferia M, Lucentini L, Brustenga L, Capasso M, Girardi S, Gizzi I, Primavilla S, Veronesi F, Passamonti F. Detection of zoonotic enteropathogens in captive large felids in Italy. Zoonoses Public Health 2024; 71:200-209. [PMID: 38017609 DOI: 10.1111/zph.13099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Within the One Health paradigm, infectious disease surveillance have been developed for domestic and wild animals, leaving the role of captive non-domestic populations, especially felids in zoos and circuses, less explored. This study addresses the proximity of these captive animals to urban areas, necessitating focused monitoring for potential zoonotic enteropathogens. The present work aimed to investigate the presence of such zoonotic enteropathogens in faecal samples from captive large felid populations. METHODS AND RESULTS A total of 108 faecal samples were collected in three circuses, five zoos and one rescue centre across Italy. Salmonella spp. isolation, serotyping and antimicrobial susceptibility testing were conducted on all samples. Additionally, 60 samples were also examined for gastrointestinal parasites using standard coprological techniques. Giardia spp. detection employed direct immunofluorescent staining and specific PCR, while Toxoplasma gondii was detected using PCR targeting B1 gene. A total of 51 Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica were isolated, with predominant serovariants including Infantis (43.1%), Coeln (11.8%) and Newport (11.8%). The captive felids likely act as asymptomatic carriers of foodborne Salmonella, with notable resistance ampicillin and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, no resistance to enrofloxacin was noted. Microscopic analysis revealed Toxascaris leonina eggs in 11 faecal samples (18.3%) and Giardia duodenalis cysts in one animal (1.7%). CONCLUSIONS Captive animals in public settings may act as sources of Salmonella infection and enteroparasitosis for both occupational and general exposure. The study emphasizes the role of captive animals in antimicrobial resistance dynamics, highlighting the need for routine pathogen screening in the management practices of zoological structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Rampacci
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Manuela Diaferia
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Livia Lucentini
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnologies, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Leonardo Brustenga
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Michele Capasso
- Department of Veterinary Medicine & Animal Production, University of Naples 'Federico II', Naples, Italy
| | - Stefano Girardi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Ilaria Gizzi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Sara Primavilla
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Umbria e delle Marche 'Togo Rosati', Perugia, Italy
| | - Fabrizia Veronesi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
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McDougall FK, Speight N, Funnell O, Boardman WSJ, Power ML. Dynamics of Antimicrobial Resistance Carriage in Koalas (Phascolarctos Cinereus) and Pteropid Bats (Pteropus Poliocephalus) Before, During and After Wildfires. MICROBIAL ECOLOGY 2024; 87:39. [PMID: 38332161 PMCID: PMC10853082 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-024-02351-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
In the 2019-2020 summer, wildfires decimated the Australian bush environment and impacted wildlife species, including koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) and grey headed flying fox pups (Pteropid bats, Pteropus poliocephalus). Consequently, hundreds of koalas and thousands of bat pups entered wildlife hospitals with fire-related injuries/illness, where some individuals received antimicrobial therapy. This study investigated the dynamics of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in pre-fire, fire-affected and post-fire koalas and Pteropid bat pups. PCR and DNA sequencing were used to screen DNA samples extracted from faeces (koalas and bats) and cloacal swabs (koalas) for class 1 integrons, a genetic determinant of AMR, and to identify integron-associated antibiotic resistance genes. Class 1 integrons were detected in 25.5% of koalas (68 of 267) and 59.4% of bats (92 of 155). Integrons contained genes conferring resistance to aminoglycosides, trimethoprim and beta-lactams. Samples were also screened for blaTEM (beta-lactam) resistance genes, which were detected in 2.6% of koalas (7 of 267) and 25.2% of bats (39 of 155). Integron occurrence was significantly higher in fire-affected koalas in-care compared to wild pre-fire koalas (P < 0.0001). Integron and blaTEM occurrence were not significantly different in fire-affected bats compared to pre-fire bats (P > 0.05), however, their occurrence was significantly higher in fire-affected bats in-care compared to wild fire-affected bats (P < 0.0001 and P = 0.0488 respectively). The observed shifts of AMR dynamics in wildfire-impacted species flags the need for judicious antibiotic use when treating fire-affected wildlife to minimise unwanted selective pressure and negative treatment outcomes associated with carriage of resistance genes and antibiotic resistant bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fiona K McDougall
- School of Natural Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia.
| | - Natasha Speight
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology, University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, SA, 5371, Australia
| | - Oliver Funnell
- Zoos South Australia, Frome Rd, Adelaide, SA, 5001, Australia
| | - Wayne S J Boardman
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology, University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, SA, 5371, Australia
| | - Michelle L Power
- School of Natural Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia
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4
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McDougall FK, Boardman WS, Speight N, Stephenson T, Funnell O, Smith I, Graham PL, Power ML. Carriage of antibiotic resistance genes to treatments for chlamydial disease in koalas ( Phascolarctos cinereus): A comparison of occurrence before and during catastrophic wildfires. One Health 2023; 17:100652. [PMID: 38024267 PMCID: PMC10665209 DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2023.100652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Growing reports of diverse antibiotic resistance genes in wildlife species around the world symbolises the extent of this global One Health issue. The health of wildlife is threatened by antimicrobial resistance in situations where wildlife species develop disease and require antibiotics. Chlamydial disease is a key threat for koalas in Australia, with infected koalas frequently entering wildlife hospitals and requiring antibiotic therapy, typically with chloramphenicol or doxycycline. This study investigated the occurrence and diversity of target chloramphenicol and doxycycline resistance genes (cat and tet respectively) in koala urogenital and faecal microbiomes. DNA was extracted from 394 urogenital swabs and 91 faecal swabs collected from koalas in mainland Australia and on Kangaroo Island (KI) located 14 km off the mainland, before (n = 145) and during (n = 340) the 2019-2020 wildfires. PCR screening and DNA sequencing determined 9.9% of samples (95%CI: 7.5% to 12.9%) carried cat and/or tet genes, with the highest frequency in fire-affected KI koalas (16.8%) and the lowest in wild KI koalas sampled prior to fires (6.5%). The diversity of cat and tet was greater in fire-affected koalas (seven variants detected), compared to pre-fire koalas (two variants detected). Fire-affected koalas in care that received antibiotics had a significantly higher proportion (p < 0.05) of cat and/or tet genes (37.5%) compared to koalas that did not receive antibiotics (9.8%). Of the cat and/or tet positive mainland koalas, 50.0% were Chlamydia-positive by qPCR test. Chloramphenicol and doxycycline resistance genes in koala microbiomes may contribute to negative treatment outcomes for koalas receiving anti-chlamydial antibiotics. Thus a secondary outcome of wildfires is increased risk of acquisition of cat and tet genes in fire-affected koalas that enter care, potentially exacerbating the already significant threat of chlamydial disease on Australia's koalas. This study highlights the importance of considering impacts to wildlife health within the One Health approach to AMR and identifies a need for greater understanding of AMR ecology in wildlife.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fiona K. McDougall
- School of Natural Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Wayne S.J. Boardman
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology, University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, SA 5371, Australia
| | - Natasha Speight
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology, University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, SA 5371, Australia
| | - Tamsyn Stephenson
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology, University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, SA 5371, Australia
| | - Oliver Funnell
- Zoos South Australia, Frome Rd, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia
| | - Ian Smith
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology, University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, SA 5371, Australia
- Zoos South Australia, Frome Rd, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia
| | - Petra L. Graham
- School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Michelle L. Power
- School of Natural Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
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Dallas JW, Warne RW. Captivity and Animal Microbiomes: Potential Roles of Microbiota for Influencing Animal Conservation. MICROBIAL ECOLOGY 2023; 85:820-838. [PMID: 35316343 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-022-01991-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
During the ongoing biodiversity crisis, captive conservation and breeding programs offer a refuge for species to persist and provide source populations for reintroduction efforts. Unfortunately, captive animals are at a higher disease risk and reintroduction efforts remain largely unsuccessful. One potential factor in these outcomes is the host microbiota which includes a large diversity and abundance of bacteria, fungi, and viruses that play an essential role in host physiology. Relative to wild populations, the generalized pattern of gut and skin microbiomes in captivity are reduced alpha diversity and they exhibit a significant shift in community composition and/or structure which often correlates with various physiological maladies. Many conditions of captivity (antibiotic exposure, altered diet composition, homogenous environment, increased stress, and altered intraspecific interactions) likely lead to changes in the host-associated microbiome. To minimize the problems arising from captivity, efforts can be taken to manipulate microbial diversity and composition to be comparable with wild populations through methods such as increasing dietary diversity, exposure to natural environmental reservoirs, or probiotics. For individuals destined for reintroduction, these strategies can prime the microbiota to buffer against novel pathogens and changes in diet and improve reintroduction success. The microbiome is a critical component of animal physiology and its role in species conservation should be expanded and included in the repertoire of future management practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason W Dallas
- Department of Biological Sciences, Southern Illinois University, 1125 Lincoln Drive, Carbondale, IL, 62901, USA.
| | - Robin W Warne
- Department of Biological Sciences, Southern Illinois University, 1125 Lincoln Drive, Carbondale, IL, 62901, USA
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Mitchell SW, Moran RA, Elbourne LDH, Chapman B, Bull M, Muscatello G, Coleman NV. Impacts of Domestication and Veterinary Treatment on Mobile Genetic Elements and Resistance Genes in Equine Fecal Bacteria. Appl Environ Microbiol 2023; 89:e0159022. [PMID: 36988354 PMCID: PMC10057962 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01590-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/05/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance in bacteria is a threat to both human and animal health. We aimed to understand the impact of domestication and antimicrobial treatment on the types and numbers of resistant bacteria, antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), and class 1 integrons (C1I) in the equine gut microbiome. Antibiotic-resistant fecal bacteria were isolated from wild horses, healthy farm horses, and horses undergoing veterinary treatment, and isolates (9,083 colonies) were screened by PCR for C1I; these were found at frequencies of 9.8% (vet horses), 0.31% (farm horses), and 0.05% (wild horses). A collection of 71 unique C1I+ isolates (17 Actinobacteria and 54 Proteobacteria) was subjected to resistance profiling and genome sequencing. Farm horses yielded mostly C1I+ Actinobacteria (Rhodococcus, Micrococcus, Microbacterium, Arthrobacter, Glutamicibacter, Kocuria), while vet horses primarily yielded C1I+ Proteobacteria (Escherichia, Klebsiella, Enterobacter, Pantoea, Acinetobacter, Leclercia, Ochrobactrum); the vet isolates had more extensive resistance and stronger PC promoters in the C1Is. All integrons in Actinobacteria were flanked by copies of IS6100, except in Micrococcus, where a novel IS5 family element (ISMcte1) was implicated in mobilization. In the Proteobacteria, C1Is were predominantly associated with IS26 and also IS1, Tn21, Tn1721, Tn512, and a putative formaldehyde-resistance transposon (Tn7489). Several large C1I-containing plasmid contigs were retrieved; two of these (plasmid types Y and F) also had extensive sets of metal resistance genes, including a novel copper-resistance transposon (Tn7519). Both veterinary treatment and domestication increase the frequency of C1Is in equine gut microflora, and each of these anthropogenic factors selects for a distinct group of integron-containing bacteria. IMPORTANCE There is increasing acknowledgment that a "one health" approach is required to tackle the growing problem of antimicrobial resistance. This requires that the issue is examined from not only the perspective of human medicine but also includes consideration of the roles of antimicrobials in veterinary medicine and agriculture and recognizes the importance of other ecological compartments in the dissemination of ARGs and mobile genetic elements such as C1I. We have shown that domestication and veterinary treatment increase the frequency of occurrence of C1Is in the equine gut microflora and that, in healthy farm horses, the C1I are unexpectedly found in Actinobacteria, while in horses receiving antimicrobial veterinary treatments, a taxonomic shift occurs, and the more typical integron-containing Proteobacteria are found. We identified several new mobile genetic elements (plasmids, insertion sequences [IS], and transposons) on genomic contigs from the integron-containing equine bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott W. Mitchell
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Robert A. Moran
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Liam D. H. Elbourne
- School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Belinda Chapman
- Quantal Bioscience Pty Ltd, Carlingford, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Michelle Bull
- Quantal Bioscience Pty Ltd, Carlingford, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Gary Muscatello
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Nicholas V. Coleman
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Fan S, Jiang S, Luo L, Zhou Z, Wang L, Huang X, Liu H, Zhang S, Luo Y, Ren Z, Ma X, Cao S, Shen L, Wang Y, Gou L, Geng Y, Peng G, Zhu Y, Li W, Zhong Y, Shi X, Zhu Z, Shi K, Zhong Z. Antibiotic-Resistant Escherichia coli Strains Isolated from Captive Giant Pandas: A Reservoir of Antibiotic Resistance Genes and Virulence-Associated Genes. Vet Sci 2022; 9:vetsci9120705. [PMID: 36548866 PMCID: PMC9786197 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci9120705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent studies showed that Escherichia coli (E. coli) strains isolated from captive giant pandas have serious resistance to antibiotics and carry various antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). ARGs or virulence-associated genes (VAGs) carried by antibiotic-resistant E. coli are considered as a potential health threat to giant pandas, humans, other animals and the environment. In this study, we screened ARGs and VAGs in 84 antibiotic-resistant E. coli strains isolated from clinically healthy captive giant pandas, identified the association between ARGs and VAGs and analyzed the phylogenetic clustering of E. coli isolates. Our results showed that the most prevalent ARG in E. coli strains isolated from giant pandas is blaTEM (100.00%, 84/84), while the most prevalent VAG is fimC (91.67%, 77/84). There was a significant positive association among 30 pairs of ARGs, of which the strongest was observed for sul1/tetC (OR, 133.33). A significant positive association was demonstrated among 14 pairs of VAGs, and the strongest was observed for fyuA/iroN (OR, 294.40). A positive association was also observed among 45 pairs of ARGs and VAGs, of which the strongest was sul1/eaeA (OR, 23.06). The association of ARGs and mobile gene elements (MGEs) was further analyzed, and the strongest was found for flor and intI1 (OR, 79.86). The result of phylogenetic clustering showed that the most prevalent group was group B2 (67.86%, 57/84), followed by group A (16.67%, 14/84), group D (9.52%, 8/84) and group B1 (5.95%, 5/84). This study implied that antibiotic-resistant E. coli isolated from captive giant pandas is a reservoir of ARGs and VAGs, and significant associations exist among ARGs, VAGs and MGEs. Monitoring ARGs, VAGs and MGEs carried by E. coli from giant pandas is beneficial for controlling the development of antimicrobial resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siping Fan
- Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Shaoqi Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
- Leshan Vocational and Technical College, Leshan 614000, China
| | - Lijun Luo
- Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Ziyao Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Liqin Wang
- The Chengdu Zoo, Institute of Wild Animals, Chengdu 610081, China
| | - Xiangming Huang
- Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, Sichuan Key Laboratory of Conservation Biology for Endangered Wildlife, Chengdu 610081, China
| | - Haifeng Liu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Shaqiu Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Yan Luo
- Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Zhihua Ren
- Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Xiaoping Ma
- Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Suizhong Cao
- Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Liuhong Shen
- Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Ya Wang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Liping Gou
- Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Yi Geng
- Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Guangneng Peng
- Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Yanqiu Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Wei Li
- Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Yalin Zhong
- Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Xianpeng Shi
- Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Ziqi Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Keyun Shi
- Jiangsu Yixing People’s Hospital, Yixing 214200, China
- Correspondence: (K.S.); (Z.Z.)
| | - Zhijun Zhong
- Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
- Correspondence: (K.S.); (Z.Z.)
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8
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A Systematic Review on the Link between Animal Welfare and Antimicrobial Use in Captive Animals. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12081025. [PMID: 35454272 PMCID: PMC9032364 DOI: 10.3390/ani12081025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Revised: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The threat of antimicrobial resistance is a global health concern, and the misuse of medications is often considered a major contributor. Thus, judicious antimicrobial stewardship in captive animal species (i.e., farm, zoo, companion, and laboratory animals) is paramount and should rely on effective strategies for the reduction of antimicrobial use (AMU). Despite the relationship between welfare, health and productivity, the role that animal welfare can play in such a reduction has been poorly investigated, especially with regards to empirical evidence. This systematic review aimed to summarise the available body of research on the link between animal welfare and AMU in captive species. The low number of publications retrieved from the search, with 76% of them published in the last five years, revealed the knowledge gap pertaining this topic. The majority of publications was on farm animals, suggesting a relevance of the topic for this group, with most of the work (82%) looking at the effect of animal welfare on AMU, rather than the opposite. Overall, better animal welfare was found to be associated with lower AMU. Studies were mainly carried out in EU, likely due to its well-known role as being the avant-garde of animal welfare and AMU. Further research is needed to support these findings, especially concerning other captive species beyond farm animals. Abstract This systematic review aimed to assess the link between animal welfare and antimicrobial use (AMU) in captive species (i.e., farm, zoo, companion, and laboratory animals) and its effect. Studies empirically examining the effect of welfare on AMU or vice versa were included. Studies in wild animals were excluded. A total of 6610 studies were retrieved from PubMed® and Web of Science® in April 2021. Despite finding several papers superficially invoking the link between welfare and AMU, most did not delve into the characteristics of this link, leading to a small number of publications retained (n = 17). The majority (76%) of the publications were published from 2017–2021. Sixteen were on farm animals, and one publication was on laboratory animals. Most of the studies (82%) looked at the effect of animal welfare on AMU. The body of research retained suggests that, in farm animals, better animal welfare often leads to lower AMU, as was hypothesised, and that, generally, poor welfare is associated with higher AMU. Additionally, AMU restrictions in organic systems may prevent animals from receiving treatment when necessary. Limitations of this study include focusing only on empirical research and excluding non-peer reviewed evidence. More research is needed to corroborate these findings, especially on the link between animal welfare and AMU in other captive species.
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Fernandes M, Nóbrega Carneiro C, Villada Rosales AM, Grilo M, Ramiro Y, Cunha E, Nunes T, Tavares L, Sandi J, Oliveira M. Antimicrobial resistance and virulence profiles of Enterobacterales isolated from two-finger and three-finger sloths ( Choloepus hoffmanni and Bradypus variegatus) of Costa Rica. PeerJ 2022; 10:e12911. [PMID: 35295556 PMCID: PMC8919844 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.12911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Wildlife has been recently recognized as an environmental reservoir for antimicrobial resistance (AMR). However, less information on this topic is available in animals released back into the wild after rehabilitation in wildlife facilities, compared with studies performed exclusively in captive or free-ranging wildlife. This study aimed to evaluate the potential influence of captivity and/or treatment while in captivity of wild sloths on the AMR and virulence profiles of sloths' Enterobacterales. Methods Oral and rectal swab samples were collected from 39 two-finger (Choloepus hoffmanni) and three-finger sloths (Bradypus variegatus) of Costa Rica (n = 78) and analyzed using conventional bacteriological techniques. A generalized linear mixed model was applied to estimate the isolates' multiple antimicrobial resistance and virulence indices as a function of animal status. Results A considerable level of resistance was detected, especially for Citrobacter youngae and Escherichia coli, with 17.5% of isolates classified as multidrug-resistant. Virulence indices of isolates from rehabilitated sloths were significantly higher than the ones from sloths being hand-reared for shorter periods. Conclusions To our knowledge, this is the first description of sloths' antimicrobial resistant Enterobacterales, suggesting that sloths' rehabilitation and consequent exposure to humans, may promote the selection of bacteria with higher virulence. Ultimately, these bacteria may represent a threat to human and animal health due to their zoonotic potential and AMR and virulence profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matilde Fernandes
- CIISA–Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Carla Nóbrega Carneiro
- CIISA–Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | | | - Miguel Grilo
- CIISA–Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Yolanda Ramiro
- Toucan Rescue Ranch (TRR), Heredia, San Josecito, Costa Rica
| | - Eva Cunha
- CIISA–Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Telmo Nunes
- CIISA–Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Luís Tavares
- CIISA–Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Janet Sandi
- Toucan Rescue Ranch (TRR), Heredia, San Josecito, Costa Rica
| | - Manuela Oliveira
- CIISA–Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
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10
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Grilo ML, Amaro G, Chambel L, Marques CS, Marques TA, Gil F, Sousa-Santos C, Robalo JI, Oliveira M. Aeromonas spp. Prevalence, Virulence, and Antimicrobial Resistance in an Ex Situ Program for Threatened Freshwater Fish—A Pilot Study with Protective Measures. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12040436. [PMID: 35203144 PMCID: PMC8868083 DOI: 10.3390/ani12040436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Knowledge regarding best practices to prevent bacterial disease and antimicrobial resistance acquisition in aquatic ex situ programs is limited. This pilot study aimed to investigate the role of protective measures in the prevalence, antimicrobial resistance profiles, and virulence signatures of Aeromonas spp. in Portuguese nase (Iberochondrostoma lusitanicum) kept in an ex situ program. Fish were randomly divided into two tanks (i.e., with and without protective measures). Bacterial sampling was performed weekly for 5 weeks, and Aeromonas spp. prevalence, antimicrobial resistance, and virulence signatures were compared. We observed an increase in antimicrobial resistance among collected isolates over the experiment duration, with a trend of Aeromonas spp. prevalence and virulence decreasing when using protective measures. This pilot study sheds light on Aeromonas spp. prevalence, antimicrobial resistance, and virulence dynamics in aquatic ex situ programs, while constituting a first approach in the determination of the potential use of protective measures in such settings. Abstract Ex situ breeding programs are important conservation tools for endangered freshwater fish. However, developing husbandry techniques that decrease the likelihood of disease, antimicrobial resistance, and virulence determinants acquisition during this process is challenging. In this pilot study, we conducted a captivity experiment with Portuguese nase (Iberochondrostoma lusitanicum), a critically endangered leuciscid species, to investigate the influence of simple protective measures (i.e., material disinfection protocols and animal handling with gloves) on the dynamics of a potential pathogenic genus, Aeromonas, as well as its virulence profiles and antimicrobial resistance signatures. Our findings show that antimicrobial resistance in Aeromonas spp. collected from I. lusitanicum significantly increased during the extent of the assay (5 weeks), with all isolates collected at the end of the study classified as multidrug-resistant. Additionally, humans handling fishes without protective measures were colonized by Aeromonas spp. The use of protective measures suggested a decreasing trend in Aeromonas spp. prevalence in I. lusitanicum, while bacterial isolates displayed significantly lower virulence index values when virulence phenotypical expression was tested at 22 °C. Despite this study representing an initial trial, which needs support from further research, protective measures tested are considered a simple tool to be applied in ex situ breeding programs for aquatic animals worldwide. Furthermore, current results raise concern regarding antimicrobial resistance amplification and zoonotic transmission of Aeromonas spp. in aquatic ex situ programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel L. Grilo
- CIISA—Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, 1300-477 Lisbon, Portugal;
- MARE—Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, ISPA—Instituto Universitário de Ciências Psicológicas, Sociais e da Vida, 1149-041 Lisbon, Portugal; (C.S.-S.); (J.I.R.)
- Correspondence: (M.L.G.); (M.O.)
| | - Guadalupe Amaro
- CIISA—Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, 1300-477 Lisbon, Portugal;
| | - Lélia Chambel
- BioISI—Biosystems and Integrative Sciences Institute, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal;
| | - Carolina S. Marques
- Departamento de Biologia Animal, Centro de Estatística e Aplicações, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal; (C.S.M.); (T.A.M.)
| | - Tiago A. Marques
- Departamento de Biologia Animal, Centro de Estatística e Aplicações, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal; (C.S.M.); (T.A.M.)
- Centre for Research into Ecological & Environmental Modelling, University of St Andrews, St Andrews KY16 9LZ, UK
| | - Fátima Gil
- Aquário Vasco da Gama, 1495-718 Cruz Quebrada-Dafundo, Portugal;
| | - Carla Sousa-Santos
- MARE—Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, ISPA—Instituto Universitário de Ciências Psicológicas, Sociais e da Vida, 1149-041 Lisbon, Portugal; (C.S.-S.); (J.I.R.)
| | - Joana I. Robalo
- MARE—Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, ISPA—Instituto Universitário de Ciências Psicológicas, Sociais e da Vida, 1149-041 Lisbon, Portugal; (C.S.-S.); (J.I.R.)
| | - Manuela Oliveira
- CIISA—Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, 1300-477 Lisbon, Portugal;
- Correspondence: (M.L.G.); (M.O.)
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11
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Lundbäck IC, McDougall FK, Dann P, Slip DJ, Gray R, Power ML. Into the sea: Antimicrobial resistance determinants in the microbiota of little penguins (Eudyptula minor). INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2020; 88:104697. [PMID: 33370595 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2020.104697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Revised: 12/11/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Terrestrial and aquatic birds have been proposed as sentinels for the spread of antimicrobial resistant bacteria, but few species have been investigated specifically in the context of AMR in the marine ecosystem. This study contrasts the occurrence of class 1 integrons and associated antimicrobial resistance genes in wild and captive little penguins (Eudyptula minor), an Australian seabird with local population declines. PCR screening of faecal samples (n = 448) revealed a significant difference in the prevalence of class 1 integrons in wild and captive groups, 3.2% and 44.7% respectively, with genes that confer resistance to streptomycin, spectinomycin, trimethoprim and multidrug efflux pumps detected. Class 1 integrons were not detected in two clinically relevant bacterial species, Klebsiella pneumoniae or Escherichia coli, isolated from penguin faeces. The presence of class 1 integrons in the little penguin supports the use of marine birds as sentinels of AMR in marine environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ida C Lundbäck
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Fiona K McDougall
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Peter Dann
- Conservation Department, Phillip Island Nature Parks, Victoria, Australia
| | - David J Slip
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia; Taronga Conservation Society, Sydney, Australia
| | - Rachael Gray
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Australia
| | - Michelle L Power
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia.
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12
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Chen YM, Holmes EC, Chen X, Tian JH, Lin XD, Qin XC, Gao WH, Liu J, Wu ZD, Zhang YZ. Diverse and abundant resistome in terrestrial and aquatic vertebrates revealed by transcriptional analysis. Sci Rep 2020; 10:18870. [PMID: 33139761 PMCID: PMC7608656 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-75904-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite increasing evidence that antibiotic resistant pathogens are shared among humans and animals, the diversity, abundance and patterns of spread of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in wildlife remains unclear. We identified 194 ARGs associated with phenotypic resistance to 13 types of antibiotic in meta-transcriptomic data generated from a broad range of lower vertebrates residing in both terrestrial and aquatic habitats. These ARGs, confirmed by PCR, included those that shared high sequence similarity to clinical isolates of public health concern. Notably, the lower vertebrate resistome varied by ecological niche of the host sampled. The resistomes in marine fish shared high similarity and were characterized by very high abundance, distinct from that observed in other habitats. An assessment of ARG mobility found that ARGs in marine fish were frequently co-localized with mobile elements, indicating that they were likely spread by horizontal gene transfer. Together, these data reveal the remarkable diversity and transcriptional levels of ARGs in lower vertebrates, and suggest that these wildlife species might play an important role in the global spread of ARGs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan-Mei Chen
- Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Edward C Holmes
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences and School of Medical Sciences, Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Xiao Chen
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jun-Hua Tian
- Wuhan Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Xian-Dan Lin
- Wenzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xin-Cheng Qin
- Department of Zoonosis, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Changping Beijing, China
| | - Wen-Hua Gao
- Department of Zoonosis, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Changping Beijing, China
| | - Jing Liu
- Department of Zoonosis, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Changping Beijing, China
| | - Zhong-Dao Wu
- Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China.
| | - Yong-Zhen Zhang
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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13
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Zhu Z, Pan S, Wei B, Liu H, Zhou Z, Huang X, Luo Y, Zhou L, Zhang S, Ma X, Cao S, Shen L, Wang Y, Fu H, Geng Y, He C, Xie Y, Peng G, Zhong Z. High prevalence of multi-drug resistances and diversity of mobile genetic elements in Escherichia coli isolates from captive giant pandas. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2020; 198:110681. [PMID: 32361498 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2020.110681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2020] [Revised: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 04/24/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to characterize the antimicrobial resistance produced by mobile genetic elements and integron gene cassettes in Escherichia coli isolated from the feces of captive giant pandas. We performed a standard disk diffusion antimicrobial susceptibility test with 84 E. coli isolates and further evaluated the mobile genetic elements and integron gene cassettes. The antimicrobial susceptibility test demonstrated that 43.37% (36/84) of the isolates showed multiple drug resistances. The E. coli isolates mainly showed resistance to aztreonam (86.90%, 73/84) and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (80.95%, 68/84). The most frequently observed resistance patterns were ampicillin/amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (13.10%, n = 11), and doxycycline/amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (4.76%, n = 4). Further analyses detected 11 mobile genetic elements, of which merA (54/84, 64.30%) had the highest frequency. All isolates were negative for intI3, traA, tnpU, traF, tnp513, tnsA, ISkpn7, ISpa7, ISkpn6, and ISCR1. We further analyzed antimicrobial resistance-related integrons among 30 E. coli isolates (the 27 intI1-positive isolates and the 3 intI2-positive isolates); six gene cassette profiles (dfrA17+aadA5, aadA2, dfrA12+aadA2, dfrA1+aadA1, dfrA1, and aadA1) were identified in the 27 intI1-positive isolates, but not in the three intI2-positive ones. Our study sheds light on the prevalence of multiple drug resistances and the diversity of mobile genetic elements in E. coli isolates, and highlights the necessity to monitor antibiotic resistance in more E. coli strains from captive giant pandas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziqi Zhu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan, Chengdu, 611130, China
| | - Shulei Pan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan, Chengdu, 611130, China
| | - Bin Wei
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan, Chengdu, 611130, China
| | - Haifeng Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan, Chengdu, 611130, China
| | - Ziyao Zhou
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan, Chengdu, 611130, China
| | - Xiangming Huang
- Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, Sichuan Key Laboratory of Conservation Biology for Endangered Wildlife, Chengdu, 610081, China
| | - Yan Luo
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan, Chengdu, 611130, China
| | - Lei Zhou
- Sichuan Institute of Musk Deer Breeding, Dujiangyan, 611845, China
| | - Shaqiu Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan, Chengdu, 611130, China
| | - Xiaoping Ma
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan, Chengdu, 611130, China
| | - Suizhong Cao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan, Chengdu, 611130, China
| | - Liuhong Shen
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan, Chengdu, 611130, China
| | - Ya Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan, Chengdu, 611130, China
| | - Hualin Fu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan, Chengdu, 611130, China
| | - Yi Geng
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan, Chengdu, 611130, China
| | - Changliang He
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan, Chengdu, 611130, China
| | - Yue Xie
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan, Chengdu, 611130, China
| | - Guangneng Peng
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan, Chengdu, 611130, China
| | - Zhijun Zhong
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan, Chengdu, 611130, China.
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14
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Li W, Su H, Cao Y, Wang L, Hu X, Xu W, Xu Y, Li Z, Wen G. Antibiotic resistance genes and bacterial community dynamics in the seawater environment of Dapeng Cove, South China. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 723:138027. [PMID: 32224396 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.138027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2019] [Revised: 03/16/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, the propagation of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and increased antibiotic resistance in pathogens have gained serious attention. Numerous reports have investigated the influence of domestic sewage discharge, medical wastewater and aquaculture wastewater on rivers and lakes, while the dynamics of ARGs in seawater and the relationships between ARGs, bacterial community structure and environmental factors have been less thoroughly described. In this study, the abundance, distribution and source of ARGs, as well as the relationships between ARGs, bacterial community changes and environmental factors in the seawater environment and sediment of Dapeng Cove, were investigated. Real-time quantitative PCR and Illumina Miseq sequencing technology were applied to determine the effects of the production cycle of cage culture, tourism and seasonality on ARGs. Chloramphenicol resistance genes (floR, cmlA) and sulfonamide resistance genes (sul1) were the dominant resistance genes in water and sediment. Pearson's correlation analysis showed that the abundance of all ARGs and the integrase I gene intI1 was positively correlated with chemical oxygen demand and suspended solids. Class 1 integrons might facilitate the dissemination of ARGs, and intI1 was detected in all samples at high concentrations. In aqueous environments, Cyanobacteria, Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes were the dominant phyla, among which Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes were positively correlated with the concentration of target ARGs. In the sediment, Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Chloroflexi, Acidobacteria and Planctomycetes were the dominant phyla, among which Bacteroidetes and Planctomycetes were positively correlated with most of the target ARGs and had a significant influence on changes in the abundance of ARGs. The domestic sewage was the main source of ARGs in the seawater. Our results showed that bacterial community structure and environmental factors affected the distributional dynamics of ARGs. Anthropogenic activities played significant roles in promoting ARGs abundance in the seawater environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjun Li
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China; Key Laboratory of South China Sea Fishery Resources Exploitation & Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Fishery Ecology and Environment, Guangdong Province, South China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou 510300, China
| | - Haochang Su
- Key Laboratory of South China Sea Fishery Resources Exploitation & Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Fishery Ecology and Environment, Guangdong Province, South China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou 510300, China; Shenzhen Base South China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Shenzhen 518121, China
| | - Yucheng Cao
- Key Laboratory of South China Sea Fishery Resources Exploitation & Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Fishery Ecology and Environment, Guangdong Province, South China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou 510300, China; Shenzhen Base South China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Shenzhen 518121, China
| | - Linglong Wang
- Key Laboratory of South China Sea Fishery Resources Exploitation & Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Fishery Ecology and Environment, Guangdong Province, South China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou 510300, China
| | - Xiaojuan Hu
- Key Laboratory of South China Sea Fishery Resources Exploitation & Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Fishery Ecology and Environment, Guangdong Province, South China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou 510300, China; Shenzhen Base South China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Shenzhen 518121, China
| | - Wujie Xu
- Key Laboratory of South China Sea Fishery Resources Exploitation & Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Fishery Ecology and Environment, Guangdong Province, South China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou 510300, China; Shenzhen Base South China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Shenzhen 518121, China
| | - Yu Xu
- Key Laboratory of South China Sea Fishery Resources Exploitation & Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Fishery Ecology and Environment, Guangdong Province, South China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou 510300, China; Shenzhen Base South China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Shenzhen 518121, China
| | - Zhuojia Li
- Key Laboratory of South China Sea Fishery Resources Exploitation & Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Fishery Ecology and Environment, Guangdong Province, South China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou 510300, China
| | - Guoliang Wen
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China; Key Laboratory of South China Sea Fishery Resources Exploitation & Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Fishery Ecology and Environment, Guangdong Province, South China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou 510300, China.
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15
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Chong R, Cheng Y, Hogg CJ, Belov K. Marsupial Gut Microbiome. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:1058. [PMID: 32547513 PMCID: PMC7272691 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.01058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2019] [Accepted: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The study of the gut microbiome in threatened wildlife species has enormous potential to improve conservation efforts and gain insights into host-microbe coevolution. Threatened species are often housed in captivity, and during this process undergo considerable changes to their gut microbiome. Studying the gut microbiome of captive animals therefore allows identification of dysbiosis and opportunities for improving management practices in captivity and for subsequent translocations. Manipulation of the gut microbiome through methods such as fecal transplant may offer an innovative means of restoring dysbiotic microbiomes in threatened species to provide health benefits. Finally, characterization of the gut microbiome (including the viral components, or virome) provides important baseline health information and may lead to discovery of significant microbial pathogens. Here we summarize our current understanding of microbiomes in Australian marsupial species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rowena Chong
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Yuanyuan Cheng
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Carolyn J Hogg
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Katherine Belov
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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16
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MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION OF FECAL ESCHERICHIA COLI ISOLATED FROM ZOO ANIMALS. J Zoo Wildl Med 2020; 50:813-821. [PMID: 31926511 DOI: 10.1638/2018-0152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Accredited zoos and animal parks play an important role in animal health research and conservation, providing important insights on matters of public health including zoonotic infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The emergence and spread of AMR is a complex phenomenon that jeopardizes human and animal health and also threatens the long-term survival of endangered species. The presence of β-lactamases in clinical isolates is particularly significant as they can jeopardize the efficacy of critically important antimicrobials. Although the presence of β-lactamases and extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) producing Enterobacteriaceae in zoo animals has been reported, data are not available for northern European countries. In addition, few data are available on phylogenetic grouping of Escherichia coli isolated from zoo animals that can provide additional information on the host-bacterium relationship and on the pathogenicity of isolates. This study aimed to characterize fecal E. coli isolated from 33 healthy zoo animals from 22 species in Ireland, using conventional and molecular microbiological methods. All E. coli isolates were ampicillin resistant, but combined resistance to amoxicillin and clavulanic acid was not detected. Three E. coli isolates sampled from one Amur tiger, one Bornean orangutan, and one Southern white rhino were multidrug resistant, and blaTEM was detected in E. coli recovered from the Amur tiger and the Bornean orangutan. Other β-lactamases, including ESBLs and AmpCs and plasmid-mediated mcr-1 and mcr-2, were not detected. Overall, E. coli isolates investigated were susceptible to the majority of the antimicrobials tested, and only two animals shed E. coli carrying β-lactamase-encoding genes. The majority of isolates belonged to phylogenetic group B1. The screening of the AMR phenotype and genotype of zoo animal E. coli provides useful data that is relevant to antimicrobial stewardship in the zoo veterinary services and relevant to the bank of knowledge needed for tackling AMR.
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17
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Cacace D, Fatta-Kassinos D, Manaia CM, Cytryn E, Kreuzinger N, Rizzo L, Karaolia P, Schwartz T, Alexander J, Merlin C, Garelick H, Schmitt H, de Vries D, Schwermer CU, Meric S, Ozkal CB, Pons MN, Kneis D, Berendonk TU. Antibiotic resistance genes in treated wastewater and in the receiving water bodies: A pan-European survey of urban settings. WATER RESEARCH 2019; 162:320-330. [PMID: 31288142 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2019.06.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 177] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2019] [Revised: 06/14/2019] [Accepted: 06/15/2019] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
There is increasing public concern regarding the fate of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) during wastewater treatment, their persistence during the treatment process and their potential impacts on the receiving water bodies. In this study, we used quantitative PCR (qPCR) to determine the abundance of nine ARGs and a class 1 integron associated integrase gene in 16 wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluents from ten different European countries. In order to assess the impact on the receiving water bodies, gene abundances in the latter were also analysed. Six out of the nine ARGs analysed were detected in all effluent and river water samples. Among the quantified genes, intI1 and sul1 were the most abundant. Our results demonstrate that European WWTP contribute to the enrichment of the resistome in the receiving water bodies with the particular impact being dependent on the effluent load and local hydrological conditions. The ARGs concentrations in WWTP effluents were found to be inversely correlated to the number of implemented biological treatment steps, indicating a possible option for WWTP management. Furthermore, this study has identified blaOXA-58 as a possible resistance gene for future studies investigating the impact of WWTPs on their receiving water.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damiano Cacace
- Environmental Sciences Technische Universität Dresden, Institute of Hydrobiology, 01062, Dresden, Zellescher Weg 40, Germany
| | - Despo Fatta-Kassinos
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Nireas-International Water Research Center, School of Engineering, University of Cyprus, P.O. Box 20537, 1678, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Celia M Manaia
- Universidade Católica Portuguesa, CBQF - Centro de Biotecnologia e Química Fina - Laboratório Associado, Escola Superior de Biotecnologia, Portugal
| | - Eddie Cytryn
- The Institute of Soil, Water and Environmental Sciences, The Volcani Center, Agricultural Research Organization, Bet-Dagan, Israel
| | - Norbert Kreuzinger
- Institute for Water Quality and Resource Management, Vienna University of Technology, Karlsplatz 13, 1040, Vienna, Austria
| | - Luigi Rizzo
- Department of Civil Engineering, University of Salerno, Via Ponte Don Melillo 1, 84084, Fisciano (SA), Italy
| | - Popi Karaolia
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Nireas-International Water Research Center, School of Engineering, University of Cyprus, P.O. Box 20537, 1678, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Thomas Schwartz
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) - Campus North, Institute of Functional Interfaces (IFG), P.O. Box 3640, 76021, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Johannes Alexander
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) - Campus North, Institute of Functional Interfaces (IFG), P.O. Box 3640, 76021, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Christophe Merlin
- Laboratoire de Chimie Physique et Microbiologie pour Les Matériaux et L'Environnement (LCPME), UMR 7564, CNRS-Université de Lorraine, Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy F, 54500, France
| | - Hemda Garelick
- Department of Natural Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, Middlesex University, The Burroughs, London, NW4 4BT, UK
| | - Heike Schmitt
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 2, 3584, CM Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Daisy de Vries
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 2, 3584, CM Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Carsten U Schwermer
- Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA), Gaustadalléen 21, 0349, Oslo, Norway
| | - Sureyya Meric
- Corlu Engineering Faculty, Environmental Engineering Department, Namık Kemal Üniversitesi, Çorlu, 59860, Tekirdağ, Turkey
| | - Can Burak Ozkal
- Corlu Engineering Faculty, Environmental Engineering Department, Namık Kemal Üniversitesi, Çorlu, 59860, Tekirdağ, Turkey
| | - Marie-Noelle Pons
- Laboratoire Réactions et Génie des Procédés, CNRS-Université de Lorraine, 1, Rue Grandville, BP 20451, 54001, Nancy Cedex, France
| | - David Kneis
- Environmental Sciences Technische Universität Dresden, Institute of Hydrobiology, 01062, Dresden, Zellescher Weg 40, Germany
| | - Thomas U Berendonk
- Environmental Sciences Technische Universität Dresden, Institute of Hydrobiology, 01062, Dresden, Zellescher Weg 40, Germany.
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Bats as reservoirs of antibiotic resistance determinants: A survey of class 1 integrons in Grey-headed Flying Foxes (Pteropus poliocephalus). INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2019; 70:107-113. [PMID: 30798035 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2019.02.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2019] [Revised: 02/17/2019] [Accepted: 02/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Increasing reports of antimicrobial resistance in wildlife highlight the significance of a One Health approach to managing resistance. We investigated the prevalence and diversity of class 1 integrons, a genetic determinant of resistance, in grey-headed flying foxes, a large fruit bat species belonging to the order Chiroptera. Class 1 integrons were detected in both wild flying foxes (5.3%) and captive flying foxes (41.2%) housed in wildlife rehabilitation facilities. Genes encoding resistance to aminoglycosides, trimethoprim and beta-lactams, and Qac efflux pumps were detected. Analysis of conserved integron elements and gene cassette arrays indicate the direction of integron transfer is from humans to flying foxes. The detection of two novel gene cassette arrays (5'CS-qacH-aacA34-blaOXA-21-3'CS and 5'CS-qacF-3'CS strongly suggests acquisition of genes from the environmental resistome into class 1 integrons within the flying fox microbiota. The dynamics of class 1 integrons in flying foxes indicates bats have a role in the emergence of novel antibiotic resistance determinants.
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19
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Comparative ecology of Escherichia coli in endangered Australian sea lion (Neophoca cinerea) pups. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2018; 62:262-269. [PMID: 29730275 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2018.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2018] [Revised: 05/01/2018] [Accepted: 05/02/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The dissemination of human-associated bacteria into the marine environment has the potential to expose wildlife populations to atypical microbes that can alter the composition of the gut microbiome or act as pathogens. The objective of the study was to determine whether endangered Australian sea lion (Neophoca cinerea) pups from two South Australian colonies, Seal Bay, Kangaroo Island and Dangerous Reef, Spencer Gulf, have been colonised by human-associated Escherichia coli. Faecal samples (n = 111) were collected to isolate E. coli, and molecular screening was applied to assign E. coli isolates (n = 94) to phylotypes and detect class 1 integrons; mobile genetic elements that confer resistance to antimicrobial agents. E. coli phylotype distribution and frequency differed significantly between colonies with phylotypes B2 and D being the most abundant at Seal Bay, Kangaroo Island (55% and 7%) and Dangerous Reef, Spencer Gulf (36% and 49%), respectively. This study reports the first case of antimicrobial resistant E. coli in free-ranging Australian sea lions through the identification of class 1 integrons from an individual pup at Seal Bay. A significant relationship between phylotype and total white cell count (WCC) was identified, with significantly higher WCC seen in pups with human-associated phylotypes at Dangerous Reef. The difference in phylotype distribution and presence of human-associated E. coli suggests that proximity to human populations can influence sea lion gut microbiota. The identification of antimicrobial resistance in a free-ranging pinniped population provides crucial information concerning anthropogenic influences in the marine environment.
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Stedtfeld RD, Stedtfeld TM, Waseem H, Fitschen-Brown M, Guo X, Chai B, Williams MR, Shook T, Logan A, Graham A, Chae JC, Sul WJ, VanHouten J, Cole JR, Zylstra GJ, Tiedje JM, Upham BL, Hashsham SA. Isothermal assay targeting class 1 integrase gene for environmental surveillance of antibiotic resistance markers. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2017; 198:213-220. [PMID: 28460328 PMCID: PMC5513725 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2017.04.079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2017] [Revised: 04/20/2017] [Accepted: 04/24/2017] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) present in the environment pose a risk to human health due to potential for transfer to human pathogens. Surveillance is an integral part of mitigating environmental dissemination. Quantification of the mobile genetic element class 1 integron-integrase gene (intI1) has been proposed as a surrogate to measuring multiple ARGs. Measurement of such indicator genes can be further simplified by adopting emerging nucleic acids methods such as loop mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP). In this study, LAMP assays were designed and tested for estimating relative abundance of the intI1 gene, which included design of a universal bacteria 16S rRNA gene assay. Following validation of sensitivity and specificity with known bacterial strains, the assays were tested using DNA extracted from river and lake samples. Results showed a significant Pearson correlation (R2 = 0.8) between the intI1 gene LAMP assay and ARG relative abundance (measured via qPCR). To demonstrate the ruggedness of the LAMP assays, experiments were also run in the hands of relatively "untrained" personnel by volunteer undergraduate students at a local community college using a hand-held real-time DNA analysis device - Gene-Z. Overall, results support use of the intI1 gene as an indicator of ARGs and the LAMP assays exhibit the opportunity for volunteers to monitor environmental samples for anthropogenic pollution outside of a specialized laboratory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert D Stedtfeld
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
| | - Tiffany M Stedtfeld
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
| | - Hassen Waseem
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
| | | | - Xueping Guo
- Center for Microbial Ecology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
| | - Benli Chai
- Center for Microbial Ecology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
| | - Maggie R Williams
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
| | - Trevor Shook
- Science Division, Delta College, University Center, MI, 48710, USA
| | - Amanda Logan
- Science Division, Delta College, University Center, MI, 48710, USA
| | - Ally Graham
- Science Division, Delta College, University Center, MI, 48710, USA
| | - Jong-Chan Chae
- Division of Biotechnology, Chonbuk National University, Iksan, 54596, Republic of Korea
| | - Woo-Jun Sul
- Department of Systems Biotechnology, Chung Ang University, Anseong, 17546, Republic of Korea
| | - Jacob VanHouten
- Science Division, Delta College, University Center, MI, 48710, USA
| | - James R Cole
- Center for Microbial Ecology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
| | - Gerben J Zylstra
- Department of Biochemistry & Microbiology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA
| | - James M Tiedje
- Center for Microbial Ecology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
| | - Brad L Upham
- Pediatrics and Human Development, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
| | - Syed A Hashsham
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA; Center for Microbial Ecology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA.
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Abstract
Antibiotic resistance is a global public health issue of growing proportions. All antibiotics are susceptible to resistance. The evidence is now clear that the environment is the single largest source and reservoir of resistance. Soil, aquatic, atmospheric, animal-associated, and built ecosystems are home to microbes that harbor antibiotic resistance elements and the means to mobilize them. The diversity and abundance of resistance in the environment is consistent with the ancient origins of antibiotics and a variety of studies support a long natural history of associated resistance. The implications are clear: Understanding the evolution of resistance in the environment, its diversity, and mechanisms is essential to the management of our existing and future antibiotic resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew D Surette
- M.G. DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research and.,Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, DeGroote School of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario L8N 4K1;
| | - Gerard D Wright
- M.G. DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research and.,Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, DeGroote School of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario L8N 4K1;
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22
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Vázquez-Rosas-Landa M, Ponce-Soto GY, Eguiarte LE, Souza V. Comparative genomics of free-living Gammaproteobacteria: pathogenesis-related genes or interaction-related genes? Pathog Dis 2017; 75:3861975. [DOI: 10.1093/femspd/ftx059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2017] [Accepted: 06/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
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23
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Power ML, Samuel A, Smith JJ, Stark JS, Gillings MR, Gordon DM. Escherichia coli out in the cold: Dissemination of human-derived bacteria into the Antarctic microbiome. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2016; 215:58-65. [PMID: 27179324 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2016.04.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2015] [Revised: 03/19/2016] [Accepted: 04/04/2016] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Discharge of untreated sewage into Antarctic environments presents a risk of introducing non-native microorganisms, but until now, adverse consequences have not been conclusively identified. Here we show that sewage disposal introduces human derived Escherichia coli carrying mobile genetic elements and virulence traits with the potential to affect the diversity and evolution of native Antarctic microbial communities. We compared E. coli recovered from environmental and animal sources in Antarctica to a reference collection of E. coli from humans and non-Antarctic animals. The distribution of phylogenetic groups and frequency of 11 virulence factors amongst the Antarctic isolates were characteristic of E. coli strains more commonly associated with humans. The rapidly emerging E. coli ST131 and ST95 clones were found amongst the Antarctic isolates, and ST95 was the predominant E. coli recovered from Weddell seals. Class 1 integrons were found in 15% of the Antarctic E. coli with 4 of 5 identified gene cassette arrays containing antibiotic resistance genes matching those common in clinical contexts. Disposing untreated sewage into the Antarctic environment does disseminate non-native microorganisms, but the extent of this impact and implications for Antarctic ecosystem health are, as yet, poorly understood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle L Power
- Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW 2109, Australia.
| | - Angelingifta Samuel
- Division of Evolution, Ecology and Genetics, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, 116 Daley Road, Acton, ACT 2601, Australia.
| | - James J Smith
- Queensland University of Technology, Science and Engineering Faculty, School of Earth, Environmental and Biological Sciences, GPO Box 2434, Brisbane, QLD 4001, Australia; JJSC Consulting Ltd., 16 Mullacor St., Ferny Grove, QLD 4055, Australia.
| | - Jonathon S Stark
- Antarctic Conservation and Management, Australian Antarctic Division, 203 Channel Highway, Kingston, Tasmania 7050, Australia.
| | - Michael R Gillings
- Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - David M Gordon
- Division of Evolution, Ecology and Genetics, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, 116 Daley Road, Acton, ACT 2601, Australia.
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24
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Chen MMS, Boardman WSJ, Brown MH. Methicillin resistance gene diversity in staphylococci isolated from captive and free-ranging wallabies. Infect Ecol Epidemiol 2016; 6:31507. [PMID: 27193419 PMCID: PMC4871892 DOI: 10.3402/iee.v6.31507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2016] [Revised: 04/10/2016] [Accepted: 04/13/2016] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Infection with methicillin-resistant staphylococci (MRS) can be life-threatening in humans and its presence in animals is a cause for public health concern. The aim of this study was to measure the prevalence of MRS in captive and free-ranging wallabies over a 16-month period in South Australia, Australia. MATERIALS AND METHODS Eighty-nine purified staphylococcal isolates recovered from 98 captive and free-ranging wallabies' anterior nasal swabs were used in this study. All isolates were tested for the presence of the mecA, mecA1, and mecC genes. Multiplex PCR-directed SCCmec-typing, ccrB-typing, and determination of the minimal inhibitory concentration of oxacillin were performed on mec-positive isolates. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION In total, 11 non-Staphylococcus aureus MRS were isolated from 7 out of 98 animals, corresponding to a 7.1% carriage rate. The SCCmec types I, III, and V were identified by multiplex PCR and sequencing of the ccrB gene. This is the first report of MRS carriage in both captive and free-ranging wallabies in Australia. These data demonstrate a low prevalence of MRS and no association between wallaby captivity status and MRS carriage could be assigned. These animals may act as a reservoir for the exchange of genetic elements between staphylococci. Furthermore, the mecA genes of animal isolates were identical to that found in human MRS strains and thus the possibility of zoonotic transfer must be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle M S Chen
- School of Biological Sciences, Flinders University, Bedford Park, Australia;
| | - Wayne S J Boardman
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, Australia.,School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia.,FAUNA Research Alliance, Callaghan, Australia
| | - Melissa H Brown
- School of Biological Sciences, Flinders University, Bedford Park, Australia
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25
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The melioidosis agent Burkholderia pseudomallei and related opportunistic pathogens detected in faecal matter of wildlife and livestock in northern Australia. Epidemiol Infect 2016; 144:1924-32. [PMID: 26935879 DOI: 10.1017/s0950268816000285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The Darwin region in northern Australia has experienced rapid population growth in recent years, and with it, an increased incidence of melioidosis. Previous studies in Darwin have associated the environmental presence of Burkholderia pseudomallei, the causative agent of melioidosis, with anthropogenic land usage and proximity to animals. In our study, we estimated the occurrence of B. pseudomallei and Burkholderia spp. relatives in faecal matter of wildlife, livestock and domestic animals in the Darwin region. A total of 357 faecal samples were collected and bacteria isolated through culture and direct DNA extraction after enrichment in selective media. Identification of B. pseudomallei, B. ubonensis, and other Burkholderia spp. was carried out using TTS1, Bu550, and recA BUR3-BUR4 quantitative PCR assays, respectively. B. pseudomallei was detected in seven faecal samples from wallabies and a chicken. B. cepacia complex spp. and Pandoraea spp. were cultured from wallaby faecal samples, and B. cenocepacia and B. cepacia were also isolated from livestock animals. Various bacteria isolated in this study represent opportunistic human pathogens, raising the possibility that faecal shedding contributes to the expanding geographical distribution of not just B. pseudomallei but other Burkholderiaceae that can cause human disease.
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26
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Escherichia coli Population Structure and Antibiotic Resistance at a Buffalo/Cattle Interface in Southern Africa. Appl Environ Microbiol 2015; 82:1459-1467. [PMID: 26712551 DOI: 10.1128/aem.03771-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2015] [Accepted: 12/10/2015] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
At a human/livestock/wildlife interface, Escherichia coli populations were used to assess the risk of bacterial and antibiotic resistance dissemination between hosts. We used phenotypic and genotypic characterization techniques to describe the structure and the level of antibiotic resistance of E. coli commensal populations and the resistant Enterobacteriaceae carriage of sympatric African buffalo (Syncerus caffer caffer) and cattle populations characterized by their contact patterns in the southern part of Hwange ecosystem in Zimbabwe. Our results (i) confirmed our assumption that buffalo and cattle share similar phylogroup profiles, dominated by B1 (44.5%) and E (29.0%) phylogroups, with some variability in A phylogroup presence (from 1.9 to 12%); (ii) identified a significant gradient of antibiotic resistance from isolated buffalo to buffalo in contact with cattle and cattle populations expressed as the Murray score among Enterobacteriaceae (0.146, 0.258, and 0.340, respectively) and as the presence of tetracycline-, trimethoprim-, and amoxicillin-resistant subdominant E. coli strains (0, 5.7, and 38%, respectively); (iii) evidenced the dissemination of tetracycline, trimethoprim, and amoxicillin resistance genes (tet, dfrA, and blaTEM-1) in 26 isolated subdominant E. coli strains between nearby buffalo and cattle populations, that led us (iv) to hypothesize the role of the human/animal interface in the dissemination of genetic material from human to cattle and toward wildlife. The study of antibiotic resistance dissemination in multihost systems and at anthropized/natural interface is necessary to better understand and mitigate its multiple threats. These results also contribute to attempts aiming at using E. coli as a tool for the identification of pathogen transmission pathway in multihost systems.
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27
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Abella J, Fahy A, Duran R, Cagnon C. Integron diversity in bacterial communities of freshwater sediments at different contamination levels. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2015; 91:fiv140. [DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fiv140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/04/2015] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
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28
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Grange ZL, Gartrell BD, Biggs PJ, Nelson NJ, Marshall JC, Howe L, Balm MGM, French NP. Using a common commensal bacterium in endangered Takahe as a model to explore pathogen dynamics in isolated wildlife populations. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2015; 29:1327-1336. [PMID: 25963514 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.12521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2014] [Accepted: 01/21/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Predicting and preventing outbreaks of infectious disease in endangered wildlife is problematic without an understanding of the biotic and abiotic factors that influence pathogen transmission and the genetic variation of microorganisms within and between these highly modified host communities. We used a common commensal bacterium, Campylobacter spp., in endangered Takahe (Porphyrio hochstetteri) populations to develop a model with which to study pathogen dynamics in isolated wildlife populations connected through ongoing translocations. Takahe are endemic to New Zealand, where their total population is approximately 230 individuals. Takahe were translocated from a single remnant wild population to multiple offshore and mainland reserves. Several fragmented subpopulations are maintained and connected through regular translocations. We tested 118 Takahe from 8 locations for fecal Campylobacter spp. via culture and DNA extraction and used PCR for species assignment. Factors relating to population connectivity and host life history were explored using multivariate analytical methods to determine associations between host variables and bacterial prevalence. The apparent prevalence of Campylobacter spp. in Takahe was 99%, one of the highest reported in avian populations. Variation in prevalence was evident among Campylobacter species identified. C. sp. nova 1 (90%) colonized the majority of Takahe tested. Prevalence of C. jejuni (38%) and C. coli (24%) was different between Takahe subpopulations, and this difference was associated with factors related to population management, captivity, rearing environment, and the presence of agricultural practices in the location in which birds were sampled. Modeling results of Campylobacter spp. in Takahe metapopulations suggest that anthropogenic management of endangered species within altered environments may have unforeseen effects on microbial exposure, carriage, and disease risk. Translocation of wildlife between locations could have unpredictable consequences including the spread of novel microbes between isolated populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoe L Grange
- Allan Wilson Centre for Molecular Ecology and Evolution, Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, 4442, New Zealand
- mEpiLab, Infectious Disease Research Centre, Hopkirk Research Institute, Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, 4442, New Zealand
- Wildbase, Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, 4442, New Zealand
| | - Brett D Gartrell
- Wildbase, Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, 4442, New Zealand
| | - Patrick J Biggs
- Allan Wilson Centre for Molecular Ecology and Evolution, Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, 4442, New Zealand
- mEpiLab, Infectious Disease Research Centre, Hopkirk Research Institute, Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, 4442, New Zealand
| | - Nicola J Nelson
- Allan Wilson Centre for Molecular Ecology and Evolution, School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, 6140, New Zealand
| | - Jonathan C Marshall
- mEpiLab, Infectious Disease Research Centre, Hopkirk Research Institute, Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, 4442, New Zealand
| | - Laryssa Howe
- Wildbase, Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, 4442, New Zealand
| | - Matthew G M Balm
- Allan Wilson Centre for Molecular Ecology and Evolution, Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, 4442, New Zealand
| | - Nigel P French
- Allan Wilson Centre for Molecular Ecology and Evolution, Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, 4442, New Zealand
- mEpiLab, Infectious Disease Research Centre, Hopkirk Research Institute, Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, 4442, New Zealand
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29
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Hodzic E. Lyme Borreliosis: Is there a preexisting (natural) variation in antimicrobial susceptibility among Borrelia burgdorferi strains? Bosn J Basic Med Sci 2015; 15:1-13. [PMID: 26295288 DOI: 10.17305/bjbms.2015.594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2015] [Revised: 06/29/2015] [Accepted: 06/30/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of antibiotics changed the world of medicine and has saved countless human and animal lives. Bacterial resistance/tolerance to antibiotics have spread silently across the world and has emerged as a major public health concern. The recent emergence of pan-resistant bacteria can overcome virtually any antibiotic and poses a major problem for their successful control. Selection for antibiotic resistance may take place where an antibiotic is present: in the skin, gut, and other tissues of humans and animals and in the environment. Borrelia burgdorferi, the etiological agents of Lyme borreliosis, evades host immunity and establishes persistent infections in its mammalian hosts. The persistent infection poses a challenge to the effective antibiotic treatment, as demonstrated in various animal models. An increasingly heterogeneous subpopulation of replicatively attenuated spirochetes arises following treatment, and these persistent antimicrobial tolerant/resistant spirochetes are non-cultivable. The non-cultivable spirochetes resurge in multiple tissues at 12 months after treatment, with B. burgdorferi-specific DNA copy levels nearly equivalent to those found in shame-treated experimental animals. These attenuated spirochetes remain viable, but divide slowly, thereby being tolerant to antibiotics. Despite the continued non-cultivable state, RNA transcription of multiple B. burgdorferi genes was detected in host tissues, spirochetes were acquired by xenodiagnostic ticks, and spirochetal forms could be visualized within ticks and mouse tissues. A number of host cytokines were up- or down-regulated in tissues of both shame- and antibiotic-treated mice in the absence of histopathology, indicating a lack of host response to the presence of antimicrobial tolerant/resistant spirochetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emir Hodzic
- Real-Time PCR Research & Diagnostics Core Facility, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis.
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Domingues S, Nielsen KM, da Silva GJ. Global dissemination patterns of common gene cassette arrays in class 1 integrons. Microbiology (Reading) 2015; 161:1313-37. [DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.000099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
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The Microbiota and Abundance of the Class 1 Integron-Integrase Gene in Tropical Sewage Treatment Plant Influent and Activated Sludge. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0131532. [PMID: 26115093 PMCID: PMC4482650 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0131532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2015] [Accepted: 06/03/2015] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacteria are assumed to efficiently remove organic pollutants from sewage in sewage treatment plants, where antibiotic-resistance genes can move between species via mobile genetic elements known as integrons. Nevertheless, few studies have addressed bacterial diversity and class 1 integron abundance in tropical sewage. Here, we describe the extant microbiota, using V6 tag sequencing, and quantify the class 1 integron-integrase gene (intI1) in raw sewage (RS) and activated sludge (AS). The analysis of 1,174,486 quality-filtered reads obtained from RS and AS samples revealed complex and distinct bacterial diversity in these samples. The RS sample, with 3,074 operational taxonomic units, exhibited the highest alpha-diversity indices. Among the 25 phyla, Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes represented 85% (AS) and 92% (RS) of all reads. Increased relative abundance of Micrococcales, Myxococcales, and Sphingobacteriales and reduced pathogen abundance were noted in AS. At the genus level, differences were observed for the dominant genera Simplicispira and Diaphorobacter (AS) as well as for Enhydrobacter (RS). The activated sludge process decreased (55%) the amount of bacteria harboring the intI1 gene in the RS sample. Altogether, our results emphasize the importance of biological treatment for diminishing pathogenic bacteria and those bearing the intI1 gene that arrive at a sewage treatment plant.
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Waldron LS, Gillings MR. Screening Foodstuffs for Class 1 Integrons and Gene Cassettes. J Vis Exp 2015:e52889. [PMID: 26132232 DOI: 10.3791/52889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance is one of the greatest threats to health in the 21st century. Acquisition of resistance genes via lateral gene transfer is a major factor in the spread of diverse resistance mechanisms. Amongst the DNA elements facilitating lateral transfer, the class 1 integrons have largely been responsible for spreading antibiotic resistance determinants amongst Gram negative pathogens. In total, these integrons have acquired and disseminated over 130 different antibiotic resistance genes. With continued antibiotic use, class 1 integrons have become ubiquitous in commensals and pathogens of humans and their domesticated animals. As a consequence, they can now be found in all human waste streams, where they continue to acquire new genes, and have the potential to cycle back into humans via the food chain. This protocol details a streamlined approach for detecting class 1 integrons and their associated resistance gene cassettes in foodstuffs, using culturing and PCR. Using this protocol, researchers should be able to: collect and prepare samples to make enriched cultures and screen for class 1 integrons; isolate single bacterial colonies to identify integron-positive isolates; identify bacterial species that contain class 1 integrons; and characterize these integrons and their associated gene cassettes.
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Schulte-Hostedde AI, Mastromonaco GF. Integrating evolution in the management of captive zoo populations. Evol Appl 2015; 8:413-22. [PMID: 26029256 PMCID: PMC4430766 DOI: 10.1111/eva.12258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2014] [Accepted: 02/27/2015] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Both natural animal populations and those in captivity are subject to evolutionary forces. Evolutionary changes to captive populations may be an important, but poorly understood, factor that can affect the sustainability of these populations. The importance of maintaining the evolutionary integrity of zoo populations, especially those that are used for conservation efforts including reintroductions, is critical for the conservation of biodiversity. Here, we propose that a greater appreciation for an evolutionary perspective may offer important insights that can enhance the reproductive success and health for the sustainability of captive populations. We provide four examples and associated strategies that highlight this approach, including minimizing domestication (i.e., genetic adaptation to captivity), integrating natural mating systems into captive breeding protocols, minimizing the effects of translocation on variation in photoperiodism, and understanding the interplay of parasites/pathogens and inflammation. There are a myriad of other issues that may be important for captive populations, and we conclude that these may often be species specific. Nonetheless, an evolutionary perspective may mitigate some of the challenges currently facing captive populations that are important from a conservation perspective, including their sustainability.
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MOLECULAR DETECTION OF ANTIBIOTIC-RESISTANCE DETERMINANTS IN ESCHERICHIA COLI ISOLATED FROM THE ENDANGERED AUSTRALIAN SEA LION (NEOPHOCA CINEREA). J Wildl Dis 2015; 51:555-63. [PMID: 25919463 DOI: 10.7589/2014-08-200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Greater interaction between humans and wildlife populations poses significant risks of anthropogenic impact to natural ecosystems, especially in the marine environment. Understanding the spread of microorganisms at the marine interface is therefore important if we are to mitigate adverse effects on marine wildlife. We investigated the establishment of Escherichia coli in the endangered Australian sea lion (Neophoca cinerea) by comparing fecal isolation from wild and captive sea lion populations. Fecal samples were collected from wild colonies March 2009-September 2010 and from captive individuals March 2011-May 2013. Using molecular screening, we assigned a phylotype to E. coli isolates and determined the presence of integrons, mobile genetic elements that capture gene cassettes conferring resistance to antimicrobial agents common in fecal coliforms. Group B2 was the most abundant phylotype in all E. coli isolates (n = 37), with groups A, B1, and D also identified. Integrons were not observed in E. coli (n = 21) isolated from wild sea lions, but were identified in E. coli from captive animals (n = 16), from which class I integrases were detected in eight isolates. Sequencing of gene cassette arrays identified genes conferring resistance to streptomycin-spectinomycin (aadA1) and trimethoprim (dfrA17, dfrB4). Class II integrases were not detected in the E. coli isolates. The frequent detection in captive sea lions of E. coli with resistance genes commonly identified in human clinical cases suggests that conditions experienced in captivity may contribute to establishment. Identification of antibiotic resistance in the microbiota of Australian sea lions provides crucial information for disease management. Our data will inform conservation management strategies and provide a mechanism to monitor microorganism dissemination to sensitive pinniped populations.
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Abstract
Integrons are versatile gene acquisition systems commonly found in bacterial genomes. They are ancient elements that are a hot spot for genomic complexity, generating phenotypic diversity and shaping adaptive responses. In recent times, they have had a major role in the acquisition, expression, and dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes. Assessing the ongoing threats posed by integrons requires an understanding of their origins and evolutionary history. This review examines the functions and activities of integrons before the antibiotic era. It shows how antibiotic use selected particular integrons from among the environmental pool of these elements, such that integrons carrying resistance genes are now present in the majority of Gram-negative pathogens. Finally, it examines the potential consequences of widespread pollution with the novel integrons that have been assembled via the agency of human antibiotic use and speculates on the potential uses of integrons as platforms for biotechnology.
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Ravi A, Avershina E, Ludvigsen J, L'Abée-Lund TM, Rudi K. Integrons in the intestinal microbiota as reservoirs for transmission of antibiotic resistance genes. Pathogens 2014; 3:238-48. [PMID: 25437798 PMCID: PMC4243444 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens3020238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2013] [Revised: 03/13/2014] [Accepted: 03/13/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The human intestinal microbiota plays a major beneficial role in immune development and resistance to pathogens. The use of antibiotics, however, can cause the spread of antibiotic resistance genes within the resident intestinal microbiota. Important vectors for this are integrons. This review therefore focuses on the integrons in non-pathogenic bacteria as a potential source for the development and persistence of multidrug resistance. Integrons are a group of genetic elements which are assembly platforms that can capture specific gene cassettes and express them. Integrons in pathogenic bacteria have been extensively investigated, while integrons in the intestinal microbiota have not yet gained much attention. Knowledge of the integrons residing in the microbiota, however, can potentially aid in controlling the spread of antibiotic resistance genes to pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anuradha Ravi
- Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food science department (IKBM), Campus Ås, Ås 1432, Norway.
| | - Ekaterina Avershina
- Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food science department (IKBM), Campus Ås, Ås 1432, Norway.
| | - Jane Ludvigsen
- Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food science department (IKBM), Campus Ås, Ås 1432, Norway.
| | - Trine M L'Abée-Lund
- Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Department of Food Safety and Infection Biology, Campus Adamstuen, Oslo 0454, Norway.
| | - Knut Rudi
- Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food science department (IKBM), Campus Ås, Ås 1432, Norway.
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