Emergence and Comparative Genomics Analysis of Extended-Spectrum-β-Lactamase-Producing Escherichia coli Carrying mcr-1 in Fennec Fox Imported from Sudan to China

Abstract

The extended-spectrum-β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing members of the Enterobacteriaceae family are a global concern for both animal and human health. There is some information indicating a high prevalence of ESBL producers in food animals. Moreover, there have been an increasing number of reports on ESBL-producing strains resistant to the last-resort antibiotic colistin with the global dissemination of the plasmid-mediated mcr-1 gene, which is believed to have originated in animal breeding. However, little is known regarding the burden of ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae on wild animals. No data were available on the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) among wild animals imported into China. This is the first study to investigate the microbiological and genomics surveillance investigation of ESBL colonization among fennec fox (Vulpes zerda) imported from Sudan to China, and we uncovered a high prevalence of ESBL-EC. Furthermore, the underlying mechanism of colistin resistance in an isolate that harbored mcr-1 was also investigated. Results of characterization and analysis of 29 ESBL-producing E. coli may have important implications on our understanding of the transmission dynamics of these bacteria. We emphasize the importance of improved multisectoral surveillance for colistin-resistant E. coli in this region.

Prevalence and Traits of Mobile Colistin Resistance Gene Harbouring Isolates from Different Ecosystems in Africa

“…One ST48 strain carrying mcr -1 on a 65 kb IncI plasmid was detected among 29 faecal ESBL-producing E . coli (3.4%) isolated from fennec foxes ( Vulpes zerda ) exported to China from Sudan [ 70 ], suggesting that organisms coproducing MCR-1 and ESBL have disseminated into the wildlife in Sub-Saharan Africa, and that wildlife trade is a route for dissemination of plasmid-mediated COL resistance. More worrisome was the fact that the strain transferred mcr -1 to a recipient organism, and it also contained 11 resistance genes, including genes encoding resistance to β -lactams ( bla TEM and bla CTX-M-64 ), fosfomycin ( fosA ), tetracycline ( tetA ), folate-pathway antagonists ( sul1 , sul2 , and dfrA ), aminoglycosides ( mphA and mdf ), phenicols ( floR ), and PMQR ( oqxB ).…”

Prevalence of ESβL, AmpC and Colistin-Resistant E. coli in Meat: A Comparison between Pork and Wild Boar

“…Antimicrobials used to treat both human and domesticated animals can be dispersed in the environment (in sewage effluent pumped into rivers or in the spread of sewage sludge or animal sludge as fertiliser), and many can be also excreted in active form, placing selective pressure on environmental bacteria [ 18 ]. This is particularly true in heavily populated areas where there are many sources and amplifiers of AMR and could be associated with AMR commensal bacteria isolated from wild animals [ 19 ] such as wild boars [ 20 ], foxes [ 21 ] and birds [ 22 ]. Wild animals can carry AMR genes in their gut, and ineffective waste management and long-range animal movements may increase the risk of the spread of emerging AMR globally.…”

Comparative Genomic Characterization of Multidrug-resistant Citrobacter Spp. Strains in Fennec Fox Imported to China

“…[31] There is some information indicating a high prevalence of MDR Enterobacteriaceae in wild animals. [32,33] Although previous studies suggest that fur animals are potential reservoirs of AMR, [5,34] little is known about the antimicrobial patterns, and genomic characteristics of MDR Citrobacter isolates from wildlife. In the present study, we rst described the isolation of MDR-Citrobacter strains from Fennec Fox.…”

“…We collected 168 stool samples of wild Fennec fox imported from North Africa to China. [5] Stool samples were cultured by MacConkey agar supplemented with 1mg/L cefotaxime as described previously. [5] Bacterial identi cation was conducted by MALDI-TOF MS (Bruker, Bremen, Germany) as described.…”

“…The worldwide increase and spread of infections caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) Gram-negative bacteria of human and animal origin is a signi cant global public health burden in recent decades. [1,2] Enterobacteriaceae are common bacteria and usually associated with different types of community-, hospital-acquired, and even animal infections, [3][4][5][6] so antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in these bacteria has signi cant potential impacts on control of AMR, with one health perspective. [7,8] Among these organisms, extendedspectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae are recognized as the most prevalent group of pathogens due to their mobility.…”