Characterization of Enterococcus spp. isolated from a fish farming environment in southern Brazil

Abstract

The aim of present study is to characterize the resistance and virulence profile of enterococci isolated from aquaculture excavated ponds and masonry tanks (6 samples) in southern Brazil. Samples were cultured in selective medium, 10 colonies were randomly selected from each sample, which were identified by MALDI-TOF and tested against 13 antimicrobials. The presence of resistance (tetL, tetM, tetS, ermB and msrC) and virulence (ace, esp, agg, cylA and gelE) genes were determined by PCR. A total of 79 enterococci were identified, and Entecococcus faecalis (44.3%) and E. casseliflavus (36.7%) were the most prevalent species isolated. Sixty-five strains (82.3%) were resistant to at least one of the antimicrobials tested, whereas 27 (34.2%) strains were multiresistant. The overall percentages of antimicrobial resistant isolates were: 58.2% to rifampicin, 40.5% to fluoroquinolones, 36.7% to erythromycin and 30.4% to tetracycline. The tetL and tetM genes were found in 57.7% of the tetracycline-resistant strains; and msrC in 31.01% of erythromycin-resistant strains. The most frequently detected virulence factors were ace and gelE genes. Although limited to a single farm, these data suggest that aquaculture may be a reservoir of resistant and virulent enterococci. This study is the first step towards enhancing our understandingof distribution, resistance and virulence profile in enterococci isolated from fish farming environments in the south Brazil.

Molecular characterization and antimicrobial resistance of Enterococcus faecalis isolated from seafood samples

“…stated that the distribution of ace, agg, cylA, esp, and gelE virulence factors among the E. faecalis isolates of fish farms was 88.5%, 22.8%, 8.5%, 0.0%, and 97.1%, respectively. Unlike the present study, the esp gene was not detected in the isolates of Brazilian research(Araújo et al, 2021) Ahmad et al (2014). reported the distribution of gelE, asa, esp, and cylA virulence factors in 100%, 63.4%, 21.9%, and 7.32% of E. faecalis isolates of aquatic environments in Malaysia.…”

“…(2020) stated that E. faecalis was detected in 87.0% of pangasius fillets and prawns in Danish retail imported from Asia. E. faecalis prevalence in fish samples from Brazil was 44.3% (Araújo et al., 2021). Surveys conducted by Di Cesare et al.…”

“…Araújo et al. (2021) stated that the distribution of ace , agg , cylA , esp , and gelE virulence factors among the E. faecalis isolates of fish farms was 88.5%, 22.8%, 8.5%, 0.0%, and 97.1%, respectively. Unlike the present study, the esp gene was not detected in the isolates of Brazilian research (Araújo et al., 2021).…”

“…samples in Turkey Araújo et al (2021). stated that the distribution of ace, agg, cylA, esp, and gelE virulence factors among the E. faecalis isolates of fish farms was 88.5%, 22.8%, 8.5%, 0.0%, and 97.1%, respectively.…”

Multidrug‐resistant Escherichia coli from free‐living pigeons (Columba livia): Insights into antibiotic environmental contamination and detection of resistance genes

“…Studies evaluating Enterococcus spp. also showed high frequencies of drug resistance in fish farming environments (Araújo et al, 2021) and in wild and captive Capuchin monkeys (Grassotti et al, 2018). Although the locations of these studies are not the same as those where the pigeons were sampled, the resistance frequencies observed, together with our findings, suggest that antimicrobial resistance is widespread and present in several animal species.…”