Detection of blaOXA-48 and mcr-1 Genes in Escherichia coli Isolates from Pigeon (Columba livia) in Algeria

Abstract

The emergence and spread of β-lactams and colistin-resistant Escherichia coli in birds deserve a special concern worldwide. This study aimed to investigate the presence of β-lactams and colistin-resistant Escherichia coli strains isolated from the faeces of urban and rural pigeons in Batna, Algeria, and to characterise their molecular traits of resistance. Between March and April 2019, a total of 276 faecal droppings samples were collected in Batna, Algeria. Samples were subjected to selective isolation of β-lactams and colistin-resistant Escherichia coli. The representative colonies were then identified using Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using the disc diffusion method. β-lactamases, as well as mcr genes, were screened for by PCR and confirmed by sequencing. Genetic relatedness of the mcr-positive E. coli strains was determined using multi-locus sequence typing analysis. Transferability features of carbapenemase genes were assessed by conjugation experiments. Overall, thirty-five E. coli isolates were obtained only from urban pigeon samples. All carbapenem-resistant isolates harboured the blaOXA-48 gene as the only carbapenemase gene detected (n = 11), while blaESBL genes were detected in eighteen isolates. Out of the thirty-five isolates, four E. coli isolates were positive for the mcr-1 gene. The obtained mcr-1 positive E. coli isolates belonged to four STs, including ST1485, ST224, ST46, and a new ST. This study is the first to report the isolation of E. coli strains carrying the mcr-1 gene from pigeon faeces in Algeria and also the first to report the detection of blaOXA-48-positive E. coli in pigeons. Close surveillance is, therefore, urgently needed to monitor the dissemination of blaOXA-48 and mcr-1 producing E. coli strains in wildlife.

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

“…Based on their findings, they indicate a silent spread of mcr-9 -mediated colistin resistance. The results found for ST224 were confirmed by studies from Algeria, which performed studies on chicken and pigeons [ 56 , 70 ]. The occurrence of ST224 in different hosts and under different conditions may be a reason why it could have displaced the previously detected ST115.…”

“…Among others, they reported a reduced susceptibility to cefotaxime in 64% of the isolates (273/425). Other studies investigating wild birds confirmed a higher ESBL- E. coli rate in urban settings compared to rural areas, as in a study from Loucif et al [ 56 ]. They found a prevalence of 12% ESBL- E. coli in pigeon in Algeria.…”

Identification of mcr-1 Genes and Characterization of Resistance Mechanisms to Colistin in Escherichia coli Isolates from Colombian Hospitals

“…Fortunately, we did not find ST131 in this study, which is in agreement with results reported by other authors [ 13 ]. A wide variety of STs described in E. coli carriers of mcr-1 , ST46, and ST58 reported in this study were previously found in isolates from chickens and the environment [ 42 , 43 ].…”

Carbapenem Resistance in Animal-Environment-Food from Africa: A Systematic Review, Recommendations and Perspectives

“… 61/228 (26.8) bla OXA-48 , bla SHV-145 , bla VIM-2 , bla VIM-4 , bla OXA-181 , bla OXA-23 , bla KPC-2 , bla NDM-5 NA [ 44 ] 2018–2019 Currency coins ST108 E. cloacae 4/12 (33.3) bla OXA-48 NA [ 45 ] 2019 Fresh vegetables Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas spp., Acinetobacter spp. 22/67 (32.8) bla OXA-48 , bla VIM-4 , bla SHV-168 , bla SHV-11 NA [ 46 ] 2019 Fecal samples of pigeon E. coli 14/35 (40) bla OXA-48 NA [ 47 ] NA Organs and feces / cloacal swabs of broiler chickens E. coli 3/39 (7.7) ( iss, hlyF, ompT, iroN, fimC, iutA, elt/est, stx, ipaH, eae, aggR ) NA [ 48 ] Benin 2013 Market Garden Products and Irrigation Water E. coli 25/65 (38.5) ( stx-1, stx-2 ) NA [ 49 ] 2019 Hospital Wastewater Bacteroides spp., Acinetobacter...…”