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Bonardi S, Conter M, Andriani L, Bacci C, Magagna G, Rega M, Lamperti L, Loiudice C, Pierantoni M, Filipello V. Emerging of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O177:H11 and O177:H25 from cattle at slaughter in Italy. Int J Food Microbiol 2024; 423:110846. [PMID: 39079448 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2024.110846] [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: 04/12/2024] [Revised: 07/24/2024] [Accepted: 07/26/2024] [Indexed: 08/18/2024]
Abstract
Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) are zoonotic pathogens frequently carried by cattle, responsible in humans of mild to bloody diarrhoea, haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) and even death. In 2023-2024, a study on STEC contamination of hide and carcasses of dairy cattle at slaughter was planned in Emilia-Romagna region (northern Italy). When the study was still in progress and 60 animals were sampled, the detection of STEC O177 isolates reached high rates and gained our attention. A total of five O177 STEC strains were detected, namely four from three carcasses (5.0 %) and one from a hide sample (1.7 %). The isolates were typed by WGS as following: 1) STEC O177:H11 sequence type (ST) 765 (stx2a+, eae+), detected from one carcass; 2) STEC O177:H25 ST659 (stx2c+, eae+) detected from three carcasses and one hide sample. One carcass was contaminated by both STEC serotypes. The isolates carried other virulence determinants often found in STEC strains associated with HUS, namely the exha, astA and espP genes, together with genes for adhesion to the epithelial cells of the gut (lpfA, fdeC, fimH) and non-Locus for Enterocyte Effacement (LEE) effector protein genes (nleA, nleB). The STEC O177:H11 isolate harboured antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes to β-lactams (blaTEM-1A), aminoglycosides (aadA1, aph(3″)-Ib, aph(6)-Id), trimethoprim (dfrA1), sulphonamides (sul1, sul2), tetracyclines (tetA), (tetB), streptothricin (sat2), and quaternary ammonium compounds (qacEdelta1). On the contrary, the STEC O177:H25 isolates carried no AMR genes. Persistent carriage of STEC O177:H25 ST659 (stx2c+, eae+) at farm level was assessed by testing animals of the same herd sent to slaughter. Interestingly, the colonies of STEC O177:H11 and STEC O177:H25 had different morphology on CHROMagar™ STEC plates, being mauve and colourless, respectively. Since mauve is the colour STEC colonies commonly have on the CHROMagar™ STEC medium, our findings can help microbiologists in the selection of uncommon serotypes. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first detection of STEC O177 from carcasses and hides of dairy cattle at slaughter. Noteworthy, the STEC-positive hide was classified as "very dirty" thus stressing the need of clean animals entering the slaughter chain, as required by Regulation (EC) No 853/2004. Since STEC O177 has been responsible of HUS in Europe, our data could add information on the source of uncommon serogroups in human infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Bonardi
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, Strada del Taglio 10, 43126 Parma, Italy.
| | - Mauro Conter
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, Strada del Taglio 10, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Laura Andriani
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, Strada del Taglio 10, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Cristina Bacci
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, Strada del Taglio 10, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Giulia Magagna
- Department of Food Safety, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna, Via Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Martina Rega
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, Strada del Taglio 10, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Luca Lamperti
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, Strada del Taglio 10, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Carlo Loiudice
- National Veterinary Service, Via Vasari 13/A, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Marco Pierantoni
- National Veterinary Service, Via Vasari 13/A, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Virginia Filipello
- Department of Food Safety, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna, Via Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
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Nouws S, Verhaegen B, Denayer S, Crombé F, Piérard D, Bogaerts B, Vanneste K, Marchal K, Roosens NHC, De Keersmaecker SCJ. Transforming Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli surveillance through whole genome sequencing in food safety practices. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1204630. [PMID: 37520372 PMCID: PMC10381951 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1204630] [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: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) is a gastrointestinal pathogen causing foodborne outbreaks. Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) in STEC surveillance holds promise in outbreak prevention and confinement, in broadening STEC epidemiology and in contributing to risk assessment and source attribution. However, despite international recommendations, WGS is often restricted to assist outbreak investigation and is not yet fully implemented in food safety surveillance across all European countries, in contrast to for example in the United States. Methods In this study, WGS was retrospectively applied to isolates collected within the context of Belgian food safety surveillance and combined with data from clinical isolates to evaluate its benefits. A cross-sector WGS-based collection of 754 strains from 1998 to 2020 was analyzed. Results We confirmed that WGS in food safety surveillance allows accurate detection of genomic relationships between human cases and strains isolated from food samples, including those dispersed over time and geographical locations. Identifying these links can reveal new insights into outbreaks and direct epidemiological investigations to facilitate outbreak management. Complete WGS-based isolate characterization enabled expanding epidemiological insights related to circulating serotypes, virulence genes and antimicrobial resistance across different reservoirs. Moreover, associations between virulence genes and severe disease were determined by incorporating human metadata into the data analysis. Gaps in the surveillance system were identified and suggestions for optimization related to sample centralization, harmonizing isolation methods, and expanding sampling strategies were formulated. Discussion This study contributes to developing a representative WGS-based collection of circulating STEC strains and by illustrating its benefits, it aims to incite policymakers to support WGS uptake in food safety surveillance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stéphanie Nouws
- Transversal Activities in Applied Genomics, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium
- IDlab, Department of Information Technology, Ghent University—IMEC, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Bavo Verhaegen
- National Reference Laboratory for Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli (NRL STEC) and for Foodborne Outbreaks (NRL FBO), Foodborne Pathogens, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Sarah Denayer
- National Reference Laboratory for Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli (NRL STEC) and for Foodborne Outbreaks (NRL FBO), Foodborne Pathogens, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Florence Crombé
- National Reference Centre for Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli (NRC STEC), Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Denis Piérard
- National Reference Centre for Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli (NRC STEC), Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Bert Bogaerts
- Transversal Activities in Applied Genomics, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Kevin Vanneste
- Transversal Activities in Applied Genomics, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Kathleen Marchal
- IDlab, Department of Information Technology, Ghent University—IMEC, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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Jesumirhewe C, Cabal-Rosel A, Allerberger F, Springer B, Ruppitsch W. Genetic characterization of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp. from humans and poultry in Nigeria. Access Microbiol 2023; 5:acmi000509.v4. [PMID: 37601433 PMCID: PMC10436014 DOI: 10.1099/acmi.0.000509.v4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The emergence of antibiotic resistance in livestock, especially food-producing animals, is of major public health importance as a result of the possibility of these bacteria entering the food chain. In this study, the genetic characteristics of antibiotic-resistant Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp. isolates from humans and poultry in Edo state, Nigeria, were investigated. In April 2017, 45 Klebsiella spp. and 46 E. coli isolates were obtained from urine, clinical wounds, nasal and chicken faecal samples. Isolates were recovered and identified as previously described. Species identification was achieved by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry and ribosomal multilocus sequence typing. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was carried out using the Kirby-Bauer method for 12 antibiotics. A double disc synergy test was used to screen for extended-spectrum beta-lactamse (ESBL) production. Whole genome sequencing was performed for strain characterization of the isolates. Thirteen Klebsiella spp. isolates yielded positive results by the ESBL phenotypic test and harboured ESBL genes. Of the 46 E. coli isolates, 21 human and 13 poultry isolates were resistant to at least one of the tested antibiotics. Four human E. coli isolates harboured ESBL genes and revealed positive results when applying ESBL double disc synergy tests. ESBL genes in the Klebsiella spp. and E. coli isolates include bla CTX-M-15 and bla SHV-28. Whole genome-based core gene multilocus sequence typing of the Klebsiella spp. and E. coli isolates revealed a close relatedness among the isolates. An integrated 'One Health' surveillance system is required to monitor transmission of antimicrobial resistance in Nigeria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christiana Jesumirhewe
- Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, College of Pharmacy, Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo state, Nigeria
| | - Adriana Cabal-Rosel
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety, Vienna, Austria
| | - Franz Allerberger
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety, Vienna, Austria
| | - Burkhard Springer
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety, Vienna, Austria
| | - Werner Ruppitsch
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety, Vienna, Austria
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BABINES-OROZCO L, BALBUENA-ALONSO MG, BARRIOS-VILLA E, LOZANO-ZARAIN P, MARTÍNEZ-LAGUNA Y, DEL CARMEN ROCHA-GRACIA R, CORTÉS-CORTÉS G. Antimicrobial resistance in food-associated Escherichia coli in Mexico and Latin America. BIOSCIENCE OF MICROBIOTA, FOOD AND HEALTH 2023; 43:4-12. [PMID: 38188662 PMCID: PMC10767319 DOI: 10.12938/bmfh.2023-022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
The World Health Organization (WHO) considers antimicrobial resistance to be one of the critical global public health priorities to address. Escherichia coli is a commensal bacterium of the gut microbiota in humans and animals; however, some strains cause infections and are resistant to antibiotics. One of the most common ways of acquiring pathogenic E. coli strains is through food. This review analyzes multidrug-resistant E. coli isolated from food, emphasizing Latin America and Mexico, and the mobile genetic elements (MGEs) responsible for spreading antibiotic resistance determinants among bacteria in different environments and hosts. We conducted a systematic search of the literature published from 2015 to 2022 in open access databases and electronic repositories. The prevalence of 11 E. coli pathotypes was described, with diarrheagenic E. coli pathotypes being the most frequently associated with foodborne illness in different Latin American countries, highlighting the presence of different antibiotic resistance genes mostly carried by IncF-type plasmids or class 1 integrons. Although the global incidence of foodborne illness is high, there have been few studies in Mexico and Latin America, which highlights the need to generate updated epidemiological data from the "One Health" approach, which allows monitoring of the multidrug-resistance phenomenon in E. coli from a common perspective in the interaction of human, veterinary, and environmental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorena BABINES-OROZCO
- Posgrado en Microbiología, Centro de Investigaciones en
Ciencias Microbiológicas, Instituto de Ciencias de la Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de
Puebla. Instituto de Ciencias, Ciudad Universitaria, San Manuel C.P. 72570 Puebla,
México
| | - María Guadalupe BALBUENA-ALONSO
- Posgrado en Microbiología, Centro de Investigaciones en
Ciencias Microbiológicas, Instituto de Ciencias de la Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de
Puebla. Instituto de Ciencias, Ciudad Universitaria, San Manuel C.P. 72570 Puebla,
México
| | - Edwin BARRIOS-VILLA
- Departamento de Ciencias Químico Biológicas y Agropecuarias,
Unidad Regional Norte, Campus Caborca, Universidad de Sonora, Col. Eleazar Ortiz C.P.
83621 H. Caborca, Sonora, México
| | - Patricia LOZANO-ZARAIN
- Posgrado en Microbiología, Centro de Investigaciones en
Ciencias Microbiológicas, Instituto de Ciencias de la Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de
Puebla. Instituto de Ciencias, Ciudad Universitaria, San Manuel C.P. 72570 Puebla,
México
| | - Ygnacio MARTÍNEZ-LAGUNA
- Posgrado en Microbiología, Centro de Investigaciones en
Ciencias Microbiológicas, Instituto de Ciencias de la Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de
Puebla. Instituto de Ciencias, Ciudad Universitaria, San Manuel C.P. 72570 Puebla,
México
| | - Rosa DEL CARMEN ROCHA-GRACIA
- Posgrado en Microbiología, Centro de Investigaciones en
Ciencias Microbiológicas, Instituto de Ciencias de la Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de
Puebla. Instituto de Ciencias, Ciudad Universitaria, San Manuel C.P. 72570 Puebla,
México
| | - Gerardo CORTÉS-CORTÉS
- Posgrado en Microbiología, Centro de Investigaciones en
Ciencias Microbiológicas, Instituto de Ciencias de la Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de
Puebla. Instituto de Ciencias, Ciudad Universitaria, San Manuel C.P. 72570 Puebla,
México
- Department of Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology,
University of California at Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
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Luo S, Liao C, Peng J, Tao S, Zhang T, Dai Y, Ding Y, Ma Y. Resistance and virulence gene analysis and molecular typing of Escherichia coli from duck farms in Zhanjiang, China. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1202013. [PMID: 37396302 PMCID: PMC10308044 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1202013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The widespread use of antibiotics in animal agriculture has increased the resistance of Escherichia coli, and pathogenic E. coli often harbor complex virulence factors. Antimicrobial resistance in pathogenic bacteria can cause public health problems. Correlation analyses of the resistance, virulence, and serotype data from the pathogenic bacteria found on farms and in the surrounding environment can thus provide extremely valuable data to help improve public health management. Methods In this investigation, we have assessed the drug resistance and virulence genes as well as the molecular typing characteristics of 30 E. coli strains isolated from duck farms in the Zhanjiang area of China. Polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the drug resistance and virulence genes as well as serotypes, and whole-genome sequencing was used to analyze the multilocus sequence typing. Results The detection rates for the oqxA resistance gene and fimC virulence gene were highest (93.3%, respectively). There were no correlations between the drug resistance and virulence gene numbers in the same strain. The epidemic serotype was O81 (5/24), ST3856 was an epidemic sequence type, and strains I-9 and III-6 carried 11 virulence genes. The E. coli strains from the duck farms in the Zhanjiang area were thus found to have a broad drug resistance spectrum, various virulence genes, complex serotypes, and certain pathogenicity and genetic relationship. Discussion Monitoring the spread of pathogenic bacteria and the provision of guidance regarding the use of antibiotics in the livestock and poultry industries will be required in the future in the Zhanjiang area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuaishuai Luo
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Coastal Agricultural Sciences, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Cuiyi Liao
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Coastal Agricultural Sciences, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, China
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhanjiang University of Science and Technology, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Jinju Peng
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Coastal Agricultural Sciences, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Songruo Tao
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Coastal Agricultural Sciences, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Tengyue Zhang
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Coastal Agricultural Sciences, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Yue Dai
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Coastal Agricultural Sciences, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Yuexia Ding
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Coastal Agricultural Sciences, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Yi Ma
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Coastal Agricultural Sciences, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, China
- Maoming Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Maoming, China
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Mussio P, Martínez I, Luzardo S, Navarro A, Leotta G, Varela G. Phenotypic and genotypic characterization of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli strains recovered from bovine carcasses in Uruguay. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1130170. [PMID: 36950166 PMCID: PMC10025531 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1130170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) is a zoonotic pathogen that cause food-borne diseases in humans. Cattle and derived foodstuffs play a known role as reservoir and vehicles, respectively. In Uruguay, information about the characteristics of circulating STEC in meat productive chain is scarce. The aim was to characterize STEC strains recovered from 800 bovine carcasses of different slaughterhouses. Methods To characterize STEC strains we use classical microbiological procedures, Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) and FAO/WHO risk criteria. Results We analyzed 39 STEC isolated from 20 establishments. They belonged to 21 different O-groups and 13 different H-types. Only one O157:H7 strain was characterized and the serotypes O130:H11(6), O174:H28(5), and O22:H8(5) prevailed. One strain showed resistance in vitro to tetracycline and genes for doxycycline, sulfonamide, streptomycin and fosfomycin resistance were detected. Thirty-three strains (84.6%) carried the subtypes Stx2a, Stx2c, or Stx2d. The gene eae was detected only in two strains (O157:H7, O182:H25). The most prevalent virulence genes found were lpfA (n = 38), ompA (n = 39), ompT (n = 39), iss (n = 38), and terC (n = 39). Within the set of STEC analyzed, the majority (81.5%) belonged to FAO/WHO's risk classification levels 4 and 5 (lower risk). Besides, we detected STEC serotypes O22:H8, O113:H21, O130:H11, and O174:H21 belonged to level risk 2 associate with diarrhea, hemorrhagic colitis or Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome (HUS). The only O157:H7 strain analyzed belonged to ST11. Thirty-eight isolates belonged to the Clermont type B1, while the O157:H7 was classified as E. Discussion The analyzed STEC showed high genomic diversity and harbor several genetic determinants associated with virulence, underlining the important role of WGS for a complete typing. In this set we did not detect non-O157 STEC previously isolated from local HUS cases. However, when interpreting this findings, the low number of isolates analyzed and some methodological limitations must be taken into account. Obtained data suggest that cattle constitute a local reservoir of non-O157 serotypes associated with severe diseases. Other studies are needed to assess the role of the local meat chain in the spread of STEC, especially those associated with severe diseases in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Mussio
- Departamento de Microbiología, Laboratorio Tecnológico del Uruguay, Montevideo, Uruguay
- *Correspondence: Paula Mussio,
| | | | - Santiago Luzardo
- Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria, INIA, Tacuarembó, Uruguay
| | - Armando Navarro
- Departamento de Salud Pública, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Gerardo Leotta
- Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología de Sistemas Alimentarios Sustentables, UEDD INTA-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Gustavo Varela
- Departamento de Bacteriología y Virología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
- Gustavo Varela,
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Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) Analysis of Virulence and AMR Genes in Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase (ESBL)-Producing Escherichia coli from Animal and Environmental Samples in Four Italian Swine Farms. Antibiotics (Basel) 2022; 11:antibiotics11121774. [PMID: 36551431 PMCID: PMC9774568 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics11121774] [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: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Whole genome sequencing (WGS) is a powerful tool to analyze bacterial genomes rapidly, and can be useful to study and detect AMR genes. We carried out WGS on a group of Escherichia coli (n = 30), sampled from healthy animals and farm environment in four pigsties in northern Italy. Two × 250bp paired end sequencing strategy on Illumina MiSeq™ was used. We performed in silico characterization of E. coli isolates through the web tools provided by the Center for Genomic Epidemiology (cge.cbs.dtu.dk/services/) to study AMR and virulence genes. Bacterial strains were further analyzed to detect phenotypic antimicrobial susceptibility against several antimicrobials. Data obtained from WGS were compared to phenotypic results. All 30 strains were MDR, and they were positive for the genes blaCTX-M and blaTEM as verified by PCR. We observed a good concordance between phenotypic and genomic results. Different AMR determinants were identified (e.g., qnrS, sul, tet). Potential pathogenicity of these strains was also assessed, and virulence genes were detected (e.g., etsC, gad, hlyF, iroN, iss), mostly related to extraintestinal E. coli pathotypes (UPEC/APEC). However, enterotoxin genes, such as astA, ltcA and stb were also identified, indicating a possible hybrid pathogenic nature. Various replicons associated to plasmids, previously recovered in pathogenic bacteria, were identified (e.g., IncN and IncR plasmid), supporting the hypothesis that our strains were pathogenic. Eventually, through WGS it was possible to confirm the phenotypic antibiotic resistance results and to appreciate the virulence side of our ESBL-producing E. coli. These findings highlight the need to monitor commensal E. coli sampled from healthy pigs considering a One Health perspective.
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Sváb D, Falgenhauer L, Mag T, Chakraborty T, Tóth I. Genomic Diversity, Virulence Gene, and Prophage Arrays of Bovine and Human Shiga Toxigenic and Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli Strains Isolated in Hungary. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:896296. [PMID: 35865933 PMCID: PMC9294531 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.896296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Escherichia coli belonging to the enterohemorrhagic (EHEC), Shiga toxin-producing (STEC) and atypical enteropathogenic (aEPEC) pathotypes are significant foodborne zoonotic pathogens posing serious health risks, with healthy cattle as their main reservoir. A representative sampling of Hungarian cattle farms during 2017-2018 yielded a prevalence of 6.5 and 5.8% for STEC and aEPEC out of 309 samples. The draft genomes of twelve STEC (of them 9 EHEC) and four aEPEC of bovine origin were determined. For comparative purposes, we also included 3 EHEC and 2 aEPEC strains of human origin, as well four commensal isolates and one extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC) obtained from animals in a final set of 26 strains for a WGS-based analysis. Apart from key virulence genes, these isolates harbored several additional virulence genes with arrays characteristic for the site of isolation. The most frequent insertion site of Shiga toxin (stx) encoding prophages was yehV for the Stx1 prophage and wrbA and sbcB for Stx2. For O157:H7 strains, the locus of enterocyte effacement pathogenicity island was present at the selC site, with integration at pheV for other serotypes, and pheU in the case of O26:H11 strains. Several LEE-negative STEC and aEPEC as well as commensal isolates carried additional prophages, with an average of ten prophage regions per isolate. Comparative phylogenomic analysis showed no clear separation between bovine and human lineages among the isolates characterized in the current study. Similarities in virulence gene arrays and close phylogenetic relations of bovine and human isolates underline the zoonotic potential of bovine aEPEC and STEC and emphasize the need for frequent monitoring of these pathogens in livestock.
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Affiliation(s)
- Domonkos Sváb
- Veterinary Medical Research Institute, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Linda Falgenhauer
- Institute of Hygiene and Environmental Medicine and German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Giessen-Marburg-Langen, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Tünde Mag
- National Public Health Center, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Trinad Chakraborty
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Giessen-Marburg-Langen, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - István Tóth
- Veterinary Medical Research Institute, Budapest, Hungary
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Han Y, Liu M, Han Y, Shi N, Wang Q, Cui T, Yang L, Zhang X, Zhu L, Qian H, Jin H, Dong C. Genetic and phylogenetic characterization of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli and enteropathogenic E. coli from livestock in Jiangsu by using whole-genome sequencing. J Appl Microbiol 2022; 132:3925-3936. [PMID: 35174586 DOI: 10.1111/jam.15494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Revised: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 02/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
AIMS There are knowledge gaps regarding STEC and EPEC strains in livestock in Jiangsu, China. This study aimed to evaluate the potential public health significance of STEC and EPEC strains isolated from livestock by determining the serotypes, virulence profiles, and genetic relationship with international STEC strains. METHODS AND RESULTS A total of 68 STEC and 37 EPEC strains were obtained from 231 fecal sheep samples and 70 fecal cattle samples. By using whole-genome sequencing (WGS) analysis, all STEC belonged to 15 O:H serotypes and the most prevalent serotypes were O6:H10 (19.1%), O155:H21 (14.7%), and O21:H25 (10.3%). The main Shiga toxin gene subtypes detected were stx1c (41.2%), stx1a (26.5%), stx2b (14.7%) and stx2k (14.7%). Only the STEC from cattle carried eae gene. Other adherence-associated or toxin-related genes, including lpfA (70.6%), iha (48.5%), subA (54.4%), and ehxA (33.8%), were found in STEC. All EPEC strains were bfpA-negative, and the predominant eae variants were eae-β1 (62.2%), eae-ζ (21.6%), and eae-θ (8.1%). The core-genome multi-locus sequence typing (cgMLST) analysis revealed nine scattered clusters in STEC and one dominant cluster in EPEC. The strains with the same serotypes, including O22:H8 and O43:H2 in the two towns, possessed a closely genomic distance. The core genome single nucleotide polymorphism (cgSNP) showed that part of STEC strains in this study were clustered with isolates possessing the same serotypes from the Netherlands, Sweden, and Xinjiang of China. Five serotypes of STEC isolates were associated with the clinical STEC strains from databases. CONCLUSION This study provided the diverse serotypes and the virulence genes profiles in STEC and EPEC strains. Local strains possessed widely diverse and scattered clusters by cgMLST. Closely genomic correlation with clinical isolates displayed that part of the STEC strains may threaten to public health. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY Non-O157 STEC strains act as important pathogens for human infections. This study supports the increased surveillance work of non-O157 STEC rather than just O157 STEC in this region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Han
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education School of Public Health Southeast University, Nanjing, China.,Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics School of Public Health Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Minqi Liu
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education School of Public Health Southeast University, Nanjing, China.,Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics School of Public Health Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ying Han
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education School of Public Health Southeast University, Nanjing, China.,Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics School of Public Health Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Naiyang Shi
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education School of Public Health Southeast University, Nanjing, China.,Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics School of Public Health Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qiang Wang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education School of Public Health Southeast University, Nanjing, China.,Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics School of Public Health Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Tingting Cui
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education School of Public Health Southeast University, Nanjing, China.,Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics School of Public Health Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Liuqing Yang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education School of Public Health Southeast University, Nanjing, China.,Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics School of Public Health Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xuefeng Zhang
- Department of Acute Infectious Diseases Control and Prevention, Jiangsu, Nanjing, China
| | - Liguo Zhu
- Department of Acute Infectious Diseases Control and Prevention, Jiangsu, Nanjing, China
| | - Huimin Qian
- Department of Acute Infectious Diseases Control and Prevention, Jiangsu, Nanjing, China
| | - Hui Jin
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education School of Public Health Southeast University, Nanjing, China.,Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics School of Public Health Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chen Dong
- Department of Acute Infectious Diseases Control and Prevention, Jiangsu, Nanjing, China
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