Antibiotic-Resistant Escherichia coli Strains Isolated from Captive Giant Pandas: A Reservoir of Antibiotic Resistance Genes and Virulence-Associated Genes

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.

Characteristics of MDR E. coli strains isolated from Pet Dogs with clinic diarrhea: A pool of antibiotic resistance genes and virulence-associated genes

“…coli from pet dogs. According to previous study, phylogenetic grouping is closely related to virulence genes (group A and B1 strains carry fewer virulence genes, while group B2 and D strains carry more virulence genes) [ 6 ], whereas in our present study, no significant difference was observed in the average number of VAGs carried by per strains between commensal groups and virulent extraintestinal-related groups. These phenomena suggest that antimicrobial resistance may increase the possibility of carrying more virulent factors (for example, the number of VAGs carried) in E .…”

“…Recent studies have shown that there was an association between ARGs and VAGs, and have proposed that they were linked and interacted with each other [6,56]. In order to explore the virulence traits and the association of ARGs and VAGs in MDR E. coli, we analyzed the distribution of VAGs in MDR strains.…”

“…Furthermore, previous studies have shown that there were associations between ARGs and virulence-associated genes (VAGs) existed in E . coli , and ARG-carrying strains may increase the likelihood of carrying VAGs [ 6 ]. However, only limited studies focused on MDR strains from pets in China, especially in Sichuan province which is considered as a major province for keeping pets in Southwest China [ 7 ].…”

“…The presence of MDR E. coli in companion animals, such as pet dogs, undoubtedly raises concerns for both dogs and humans due to the high antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and the capability of carrying various antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) of MDR strains [4,5]. Furthermore, previous studies have shown that there were associations between ARGs and virulence-associated genes (VAGs) existed in E. coli, and ARG-carrying strains may increase the likelihood of carrying VAGs [6]. However, only limited studies focused on MDR strains from pets in China, especially in Sichuan province which is considered as a major province for keeping pets in Southwest China [7].…”

Clostridium butyricum isolated from giant panda can attenuate dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis in mice

“…Furthermore, overuse of antibiotics can enhance the prevalence of drug resistance genes, resulting in poorer treatment outcomes. Antibiotic-Resistant Escherichia coli and multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae and Raoultella have been screened from the intestinal microbiota of giant pandas (Fan et al, 2022;Shahi et al, 2023). Therefore, it is particularly important to find a more effective way to treat intestinal diseases.…”