Characterization of Antibiotic Resistance in Escherichia coli Isolated from Shrimps and Their Environment

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance in bacteria associated with food and water is a global concern. To survey the risk, 312 Escherichia coli isolates from shrimp farms and markets in Thailand were examined for susceptibility to 10 antimicrobials. The results showed that 17.6% of isolates (55 of 312) were resistant to at least one of the tested drugs, and high resistance rates were observed to tetracycline (14.4%; 45 of 312), ampicillin (8.0%; 25 of 312), and trimethroprim (6.7%; 21 of 312); 29.1% (16 of 55) were multidrug resistant. PCR assay of the tet (A), tet (B), tet (C), tet (D), tet (E), and tet (G) genes detected one or more of these genes in 47 of the 55 resistant isolates. Among these genes, tet (A) (69.1%; 38 of 55) was the most common followed by tet (B) (56.4%; 31 of 55) and tet (C) (3.6%; 2 of 55). The resistant isolates were further investigated for class 1 integrons. Of the 55 resistant isolates, 16 carried class 1 integrons and 7 carried gene cassettes encoding trimethoprim resistance (dfrA12 or dfrA17) and aminoglycosides resistance (aadA2 or aadA5). Two class 1 integrons, In54 (dfrA17-aadA5) and In27 (dfrA12-orfF-aadA2), were found in four and three isolates, respectively. These results indicate a risk of drug-resistant E. coli contamination in shrimp farms and selling places. The occurrence of multidrug-resistant E. coli carrying tet genes and class 1 integrons indicates an urgent need to monitor the emergence of drug-resistant E. coli to control the dissemination of drug-resistant strains and the further spread of resistance genes to other pathogenic bacteria.

Comparison of antibiotic resistant Escherichia coli obtained from drinking water sources in northern Tanzania: a cross-sectional study

“…We also documented a high prevalence of the bla TEM-1 and tet (A) genes, which is similar to reports from India and Thailand [33, 34]. Bla TEM-1 is widely distributed by plasmids and encodes a clinically significant, broad spectrum β-lactamase that hydrolyzes many β-lactams in addition to many penicillins.…”

Diverse Mobile Genetic Elements and Conjugal Transferability of Sulfonamide Resistance Genes (sul1, sul2, and sul3) in Escherichia coli Isolates From Penaeus vannamei and Pork From Large Markets in Zhejiang, China

“…Sulfonamides, which are fully synthetic antibiotics, have been widely used to treat bacterial and protozoan infections in humans, domestic animals, and aquaculture species (Blahna et al, 2006; Peixoto et al, 2016). Although the use of sulfonamides in human medicine has decreased in developed countries, they are still frequently used in developing Asian countries owing to their low price and availability (Changkaew et al, 2014). In veterinary medicine, sulfonamides are considered “high priority” due to high usage and their high potential to enter the environment (Heuer and Smalla, 2007; Wang et al, 2014).…”

Characterizing Antimicrobial Use in the Livestock Sector in Three South East Asian Countries (Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam)

“…There are significant concerns over the presence of antimicrobial residues in fish and the potential for the transmission of antimicrobial resistant bacteria to humans through both food and the environment [72,73,74]. Multi-drug resistance has been identified in Escherichia Coli and Vibrio from environmental samples and shrimp for sale through retail outlets in Thailand [73,75], while Pangasius catfish production is considered to represent a significant ecological risk from antimicrobial residues and resistant bacteria in the environment [76,77]. Integrated livestock-fish production systems, whereby manure is used as a feed for fish, are an economically important sector through Asia.…”