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Richter L, Duvenage S, du Plessis EM, Msimango T, Dlangalala M, Mathavha MT, Molelekoa T, Kgoale DM, Korsten L. Genomic Evaluation of Multidrug-Resistant Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase (ESBL)-Producing Escherichia coli from Irrigation Water and Fresh Produce in South Africa: A Cross-Sectional Analysis. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:14421-14438. [PMID: 39101763 PMCID: PMC11325645 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c02431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/06/2024]
Abstract
Escherichia coli, both commensal and pathogenic, can colonize plants and persist in various environments. It indicates fecal contamination in water and food and serves as a marker of antimicrobial resistance. In this context, 61 extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing E. coli from irrigation water and fresh produce from previous studies were characterized using whole genome sequencing (Illumina MiSeq). The Center for Genomic Epidemiology and Galaxy platforms were used to determine antimicrobial resistance genes, virulence genes, plasmid typing, mobile genetic elements, multilocus sequence typing (MLST), and pathogenicity prediction. In total, 19 known MLST groups were detected among the 61 isolates. Phylogroup B1 (ST58) and Phylogroup E (ST9583) were the most common sequence types. The six ST10 (serotype O101:H9) isolates carried the most resistance genes, spanning eight antibiotic classes. Overall, 95.1% of the isolates carried resistance genes from three or more classes. The blaCTX-M-1, blaCTX-M-14, and blaCTX-M-15 ESBL genes were associated with mobile genetic elements, and all of the E. coli isolates showed a >90% predicted probability of being a human pathogen. This study provided novel genomic information on environmental multidrug-resistant ESBL-producing E. coli from fresh produce and irrigation water, highlighting the environment as a reservoir for multidrug-resistant strains and emphasizing the need for ongoing pathogen surveillance within a One Health context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loandi Richter
- Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Pretoria, Hatfield, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
- Department of Science and Innovation, National Research Foundation Centre of Excellence in Food Security, Bellville 7535, South Africa
| | - Stacey Duvenage
- Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Pretoria, Hatfield, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
- Food and Markets Department, Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich, Chatham ME4 4TB, United Kingdom
| | | | - Thabang Msimango
- Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Pretoria, Hatfield, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
- Department of Science and Innovation, National Research Foundation Centre of Excellence in Food Security, Bellville 7535, South Africa
| | - Manana Dlangalala
- Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Pretoria, Hatfield, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
| | - Muneiwa Tshidino Mathavha
- Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Pretoria, Hatfield, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
| | - Tintswalo Molelekoa
- Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Pretoria, Hatfield, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
| | - Degracious Moloko Kgoale
- Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Pretoria, Hatfield, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
- Department of Science and Innovation, National Research Foundation Centre of Excellence in Food Security, Bellville 7535, South Africa
| | - Lise Korsten
- Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Pretoria, Hatfield, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
- Department of Science and Innovation, National Research Foundation Centre of Excellence in Food Security, Bellville 7535, South Africa
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Müller JU, Schwabe M, Swiatek LS, Heiden SE, Schlüter R, Sittner M, Bohnert JA, Becker K, Idelevich EA, Guenther S, Eger E, Schaufler K. Temperatures above 37°C increase virulence of a convergent Klebsiella pneumoniae sequence type 307 strain. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 14:1411286. [PMID: 38947124 PMCID: PMC11211929 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1411286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Convergence of Klebsiella pneumoniae (KP) pathotypes has been increasingly reported in recent years. These pathogens combine features of both multidrug-resistant and hypervirulent KP. However, clinically used indicators for hypervirulent KP identification, such as hypermucoviscosity, appear to be differentially expressed in convergent KP, potential outbreak clones are difficult to identify. We aimed to fill such knowledge gaps by investigating the temperature dependence of hypermucoviscosity and virulence in a convergent KP strain isolated during a clonal outbreak and belonging to the high-risk sequence type (ST)307. Methods Hypermucoviscosity, biofilm formation, and mortality rates in Galleria mellonella larvae were examined at different temperatures (room temperature, 28°C, 37°C, 40°C and 42°C) and with various phenotypic experiments including electron microscopy. The underlying mechanisms of the phenotypic changes were explored via qPCR analysis to evaluate plasmid copy numbers, and transcriptomics. Results Our results show a temperature-dependent switch above 37°C towards a hypermucoviscous phenotype, consistent with increased biofilm formation and in vivo mortality, possibly reflecting a bacterial response to fever-like conditions. Furthermore, we observed an increase in plasmid copy number for a hybrid plasmid harboring carbapenemase and rmpA genes. However, transcriptomic analysis revealed no changes in rmpA expression at higher temperatures, suggesting alternative regulatory pathways. Conclusion This study not only elucidates the impact of elevated temperatures on hypermucoviscosity and virulence in convergent KP but also sheds light on previously unrecognized aspects of its adaptive behavior, underscoring its resilience to changing environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justus U. Müller
- Department of Epidemiology and Ecology of Antimicrobial Resistance, Helmholtz Institute for One Health, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Greifswald, Germany
| | - Michael Schwabe
- Department of Epidemiology and Ecology of Antimicrobial Resistance, Helmholtz Institute for One Health, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Greifswald, Germany
| | - Lena-Sophie Swiatek
- Department of Epidemiology and Ecology of Antimicrobial Resistance, Helmholtz Institute for One Health, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Greifswald, Germany
| | - Stefan E. Heiden
- Department of Epidemiology and Ecology of Antimicrobial Resistance, Helmholtz Institute for One Health, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Greifswald, Germany
| | - Rabea Schlüter
- Imaging Center of the Department of Biology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Max Sittner
- Department of Epidemiology and Ecology of Antimicrobial Resistance, Helmholtz Institute for One Health, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Greifswald, Germany
| | - Jürgen A. Bohnert
- Friedrich Loeffler-Institute of Medical Microbiology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Karsten Becker
- Friedrich Loeffler-Institute of Medical Microbiology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Evgeny A. Idelevich
- Friedrich Loeffler-Institute of Medical Microbiology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Sebastian Guenther
- Pharmaceutical Biology, Institute of Pharmacy, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Elias Eger
- Department of Epidemiology and Ecology of Antimicrobial Resistance, Helmholtz Institute for One Health, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Greifswald, Germany
| | - Katharina Schaufler
- Department of Epidemiology and Ecology of Antimicrobial Resistance, Helmholtz Institute for One Health, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Greifswald, Germany
- University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
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Furlan JPR, Ramos MS, Sellera FP, Gonzalez IHL, Ramos PL, Stehling EG. Gram-negative bacterial diversity and evidence of international clones of multidrug-resistant strains in zoo animals. Integr Zool 2024; 19:417-423. [PMID: 37984552 DOI: 10.1111/1749-4877.12790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
Enterobacterales and Pseudomonas aeruginosa have been colonizing or infecting wild hosts and antimicrobial-resistant strains are present in mammals and birds. Furthermore, international high-risk clones of multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli are identified and the implications of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria in zoo animals are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Pedro Rueda Furlan
- Department of Clinical Analyses, Toxicology and Food Science, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Micaela Santana Ramos
- Department of Clinical Analyses, Toxicology and Food Science, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Fábio Parra Sellera
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Metropolitan University of Santos, Santos, Brazil
| | - Irys Hany Lima Gonzalez
- Coordination of Wild Fauna, Secretary of Environment, Infrastructure and Logistics, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Patrícia Locosque Ramos
- Coordination of Wild Fauna, Secretary of Environment, Infrastructure and Logistics, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Eliana Guedes Stehling
- Department of Clinical Analyses, Toxicology and Food Science, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
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Bachmann L, Weber L, Liermann W, Hammon HM, Delling C, Dengler F, Schaufler K, Schwabe M, Eger E, Becker K, Schütz A, Homeier-Bachmann T. Colostrum as a source of ESBL-Escherichia coli in feces of newborn calves. Sci Rep 2024; 14:9929. [PMID: 38688984 PMCID: PMC11061148 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-60461-4] [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: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to determine if colostrum and the equipment for harvesting and feeding colostrum are sources of fecal ESBL/AmpC-producing Escherichia coli (ESBL/AmpC-E. coli) in calves. Therefore, 15 male calves fed with pooled colostrum on a dairy farm and held individually in an experimental barn, the colostrum pool and the equipment for harvesting and feeding colostrum were sampled and analyzed for the occurrence of ESBL/AmpC-E. coli. The ESBL-AmpC-E. coli suspicious isolates were subjected to whole-genome sequence analysis. Forty-three of 45 fecal samples were tested positive for ESBL/AmpC-E. coli. In the colostrum sample and in the milking pot, we also found ESBL/AmpC-E. coli. All 45 E. coli isolates were ESBL-producers, mainly commensal sequence type (ST) 10, but also human-extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli ST131 and ST117 were found. The clonal identity of six fecal isolates with the ESBL-E. coli isolate from the colostrum and of five fecal isolates with the strain from the milking pot demonstrates that the hygiene of colostrum or the colostrum equipment can play a significant role in the spread of ESBL-E. coli. Effective sanitation procedures for colostrum harvesting and feeding equipment are crucial to reduce the ESBL-E. coli shedding of neonatal dairy calves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Bachmann
- University of Applied Science Neubrandenburg, Brodaer Str. 2, 17033, Neubrandenburg, Germany.
- Research Institute of Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Dummerstorf, Germany.
| | - Laura Weber
- University of Applied Science Neubrandenburg, Brodaer Str. 2, 17033, Neubrandenburg, Germany
| | - Wendy Liermann
- Research Institute of Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Dummerstorf, Germany
| | - Harald M Hammon
- Research Institute of Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Dummerstorf, Germany
| | - Cora Delling
- Institute for Parasitology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Franziska Dengler
- Institute of Physiology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Physiology, Pathophysiology and Biophysics, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Katharina Schaufler
- Institute of Pharmacy, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
- Department Epidemiology and Ecology of Antimicrobial Resistance, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Helmholtz Institute for One Health, Greifswald, Germany
- Institute of Infection Medicine, Christian-Albrecht University Kiel and University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
| | - Michael Schwabe
- Institute of Pharmacy, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Elias Eger
- Department Epidemiology and Ecology of Antimicrobial Resistance, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Helmholtz Institute for One Health, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Karsten Becker
- Friedrich Loeffler-Institute of Medical Microbiology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Anne Schütz
- Institute of Epidemiology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Greifswald, Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Timo Homeier-Bachmann
- Institute of Epidemiology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Greifswald, Insel Riems, Germany
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Sydow K, Eger E, Schwabe M, Heiden SE, Bohnert JA, Franzenburg S, Jurischka C, Schierack P, Schaufler K. Geno- and Phenotypic Characteristics of a Klebsiella pneumoniae ST20 Isolate with Unusual Colony Morphology. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10102063. [PMID: 36296341 PMCID: PMC9606995 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10102063] [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: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Klebsiella pneumoniae is a common member of the intestinal flora of vertebrates. In addition to opportunistic representatives, hypervirulent (hvKp) and antibiotic-resistant K. pneumoniae (ABR-Kp) occur. While ABR-Kp isolates often cause difficult-to-treat diseases due to limited therapeutic options, hvKp is a pathotype that can infect healthy individuals often leading to recurrent infection. Here, we investigated the clinical K. pneumoniae isolate PBIO3459 obtained from a blood sample, which showed an unusual colony morphology. By combining whole-genome and RNA sequencing with multiple in vitro and in vivo virulence-associated assays, we aimed to define the respective Klebsiella subtype and explore the unusual phenotypic appearance. We demonstrate that PBIO3459 belongs to sequence type (ST)20 and carries no acquired resistance genes, consistent with phenotypic susceptibility tests. In addition, the isolate showed low-level virulence, both at genetic and phenotypic levels. We thus suggest that PBIO3459 is an opportunistic (commensal) K. pneumoniae isolate. Genomic comparison of PBIO3459 with closely related ABR-Kp ST20 isolates revealed that they differed only in resistance genes. Finally, the unusual colony morphology was mainly associated with carbohydrate and amino acid transport and metabolism. In conclusion, our study reveals the characteristics of a Klebsiella sepsis isolate and suggests that opportunistic representatives likely acquire and accumulate antibiotic resistances that subsequently enable their emergence as ABR-Kp pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Sydow
- Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Institute of Pharmacy, University of Greifswald, 17489 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Elias Eger
- Institute of Infection Medicine, Christian-Albrecht University Kiel and University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, 24105 Kiel, Germany
| | - Michael Schwabe
- Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Institute of Pharmacy, University of Greifswald, 17489 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Stefan E. Heiden
- Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Institute of Pharmacy, University of Greifswald, 17489 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Jürgen A. Bohnert
- Friedrich Loeffler-Institute of Medical Microbiology, University Medicine Greifswald, 17475 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Sören Franzenburg
- Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology, Christian-Albrecht University Kiel and University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, 24105 Kiel, Germany
| | - Christoph Jurischka
- Faculty of Environment and Natural Sciences, Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg, 01968 Senftenberg, Germany
| | - Peter Schierack
- Faculty of Environment and Natural Sciences, Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg, 01968 Senftenberg, Germany
| | - Katharina Schaufler
- Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Institute of Pharmacy, University of Greifswald, 17489 Greifswald, Germany
- Institute of Infection Medicine, Christian-Albrecht University Kiel and University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, 24105 Kiel, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-3834-420-4869
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Dreyer S, Globig A, Bachmann L, Schütz AK, Schaufler K, Homeier-Bachmann T. Longitudinal Study on Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase- E. coli in Sentinel Mallard Ducks in an Important Baltic Stop-Over Site for Migratory Ducks in Germany. Microorganisms 2022; 10:1968. [PMID: 36296245 PMCID: PMC9612239 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10101968] [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: 09/06/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 08/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a serious global health threat with extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacterales as the most critical ones. Studies on AMR in wild birds imply a possible dissemination function and indicate their potential role as sentinel animals. This study aimed to gain a deeper insight into the AMR burden of wild waterfowl by sampling semi-wild mallard ducks used as sentinels and to identify if AMR bacteria could be recommended to be added to the pathogens of public health risks to be screened for. In total, 376 cloacal and pooled fecal samples were collected from the sentinel plant over a period of two years. Samples were screened for ESBL-carrying E. coli and isolates found further analyzed using antimicrobial susceptibility testing and whole-genome sequencing. Over the sampling period, 4.26% (16/376) of the samples were positive for ESBL-producing E. coli. BlaCTX-M-1 and blaCTX-M-32 were the most abundant CTX-M types. Although none of the top global sequence types (ST) could be detected, poultry-derived ST115 and non-poultry-related STs were found and could be followed over time. The current study revealed low cases of ESBL-producing E. coli in semi-wild mallard ducks, which proves the suitability of sentinel surveillance for AMR detection in water-associated wildlife.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvia Dreyer
- Institute of International Animal Health/One Health, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 17493 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Anja Globig
- Institute of International Animal Health/One Health, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 17493 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Lisa Bachmann
- Faculty of Agriculture and Food Science, University of Applied Science Neubrandenburg, 17033 Neubrandenburg, Germany
| | - Anne K. Schütz
- Institute of Epidemiology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 17493 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Katharina Schaufler
- Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Institute of Pharmacy, University of Greifswald, 17489 Greifswald, Germany
- Institute of Infection Medicine, Christian-Albrecht University Kiel and University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, 24105 Kiel, Germany
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