Genetic diversity, virulence genotype and antimicrobial resistance of uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) isolated from sows

Abstract

Background: Urinary tract infections (UTI) cause severe losses to the swine industry worldwide and uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) are the main agent isolated from UTI in sows.Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the virulence genes, assess the phylogenetic background, clonal diversity, and the pattern of resistance to antimicrobials in 186 isolates of UPEC isolated from sows in Brazil.Materials and methods: Urine samples from 300 sows of three herds with clinical signs from São Paulo State (Brazil) were screened for UTI; samples with suggestive results were submitted to bacterial isolation. E. coli strains isolated were characterized using disk diffusion technique, polymerase chain reaction and Single-enzyme amplification fragment length polymorphism (SE-AFLP).Results: Virulence genes focH and papC were present in 78.5% and 58% of strains, respectively, followed by cnf1 (23.2%), afa (13.4%), sfa (11.3%), iucD (6.9%), and hlyA (1.6%). No clonal relatedness was found by SE-AFLP. A total of 98% of isolates (182/186) were multidrug resistant, and the highest levels of resistance were to sulfonamides, tetracycline, florfenicol, and ampicillin. Isolates were classified in phylogenetic group B1 (34.4%), followed by D (33.9%), E (30.1%) and A (1.6%).Conclusions: The data obtained suggest that pigs from clinically affected herds may serve as a reservoir of uropathogenic and multidrug-resistant E. coli strains.

Frequency of hlyA, hlyB, hlyC and hlyD genes in uropathogenic Escherichia coli isolated from UTI patients in Shiraz

“…In the current study, 98% of the UPEC isolates were multidrug-resistant. This finding was consistent with those reported by Spindola et al [ 13 ] and Rehman et al [ 14 ], but differed from reports by Navidinia et al (26%) [ 15 ].…”

Extended Phylogeny and Extraintestinal Virulence Potential of Commensal Escherichia coli from Piglets and Sows

“…The probability of expression of type 1 and P fimbriae resulting from the presence of the complete operons was significantly higher in isolates from piglets. Recently, ExPEC infections have become more common in the pig industry [25][26][27], so it is important to understand the population structure of porcine commensal E. coli. We should also be aware of the reservoir of VGs carried by commensal E. coli from pigs in terms of the public health threat.…”

“…Infections caused by ExPEC strains occur worldwide and are associated with great economic cost [24]. ExPEC is an important pathogen in the swine industry, in several countries, responsible for substantial economic losses [25][26][27]. Porcine ExPEC is an important pathogen causing UTI-a significant cause of death in adult animals [6].…”

Antimicrobial Resistance in Farm Animals in Brazil: An Update Overview

“…More than 80% of these isolates were resistant to sulfonamides (94.6%), tetracycline (91.9%), and florfenicol (83.3%); 50% to 70% of the isolates were reported as resistant to nalidixic acid (66.1%), sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (59.6%) and streptomycin (52.6%). Resistance frequencies lower than 25% were detected to ciprofloxacin (22.5%), spectinomycin (11.2%), and gentamycin (2.6%) [86]. In contrast, Silva et al reported eight isolates obtained in 2012 also in the same state from pig fecal swabs resistant to third-and fourth-generation cephalosporins, associated with the occurrence of the ESBL encoding gene bla CTX-M-15 .…”