Assessment of the presence of Acinetobacter spp. resistant to β-lactams in commercial ready-to-eat salad samples. - Related Documents




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169601.0000Assessment of the presence of Acinetobacter spp. resistant to β-lactams in commercial ready-to-eat salad samples. Acinetobacter baumannii is a well-known nosocomial infection causing agent. However, other Acinetobacter spp. have also been implicated in cases of human infection. Additionally, these bacteria are known for the development of antibiotic resistance thus making the treatment of the infections they cause, challenging. Due to their relevance in clinical setups less attention has been paid to their presence in foods, and its relation with infection/dissemination routes. In the current study commercial Ready-To-Eat (RTE) salads were analyzed seeking for antibiotic resistant Acinetobacter spp. A preliminary screening allowed us to recover Gram-negative bacteria resistant to β - lactams using cefotaxime, third generation cephalosporins, as the selective agent, and this was followed by identification with CHROMagar™ Acinetobacter and 16S rDNA sequencing. Finally, the isolates identified as Acinetobacter spp. were reanalyzed by PCR to determine the presence of nine potential Extended Spectrum β Lactamases (ESBL). Two commercial RTE salad brands were included in the study (2 batches per brand and 8 samples of each batch making a total of 32 independent samples), and compared against an organic lettuce. High concentrations of β - lactam, resistant bacteria were found in all the samples tested (5 log CFU/g). Additionally, 209 isolates were phenotypically characterized on CHROMagar Acinetobacter. Finally, PCR analysis identified the presence of different ESBL genes, being positive for blaACC, blaSHV, blaDHA and blaVEB; out of these, blaACC was the most prevalent. None of the isolates screened were positive for more than one gene. To conclude, it is important to highlight the fact that pathogenic species within the genus Acinetobacter spp., other than A. baumannii, have been identified bearing resistance genes not typically associated to these microorganisms highlight the importance of continuous surveillance.202438049272
169510.9999Presence of the blaTEM Gene in Commensal Neisseria spp.: A Possible Cause for the Acquired Drug Resistance Among Pathogenic Respiratory Bacteria. Background The oral microbiome consists of various bacterial genera, with Neisseria spp. being a prominent part of this niche. While Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Neisseria meningitidis are human-restricted pathogens, non-pathogenic Neisseria species like Neisseria sicca, Neisseria perflava, etc., are primarily commensals that can also behave as opportunistic pathogens. With increasing penicillin resistance in commensal Neisseria, there is a concern that these bacteria might harbor resistance genes that can be transferred to other pathogens. This study aimed to characterize the blaTEM gene (encodes for the plasmid-mediated β-lactamase enzyme that hydrolyzes the β-lactam ring) of commensal Neisseria spp. isolated from respiratory samples. Methodology The research was conducted in the Department of Clinical Microbiology at Sri Ramachandra University, Chennai. The specimens used were sputum and throat swabs, which were subjected to a series of phenotypic methods and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) for speciation. The antibiogram was determined using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method, and a PCR assay was utilized to identify the blaTEM( )gene responsible for β-lactamase production. Results Out of 274 processed samples, 65 unique commensal Neisseria spp. were identified. The study highlighted the presence of the blaTEM gene in 93.9% (61) of the isolates, which is responsible for β-lactamase production. All isolates exhibited resistance to penicillin. Most blaTEM-positive commensal Neisseria spp. were susceptible to cefuroxime (83.6%), ceftriaxone (85.2%), and cefotaxime (85.2%). The high prevalence of the blaTEM gene in commensal Neisseria is alarming. The gene, found on plasmids, could potentially transfer to other related species like Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Neisseria meningitidis, as well as other Gram-negative bacilli. Conclusion The presence of resistance genes in commensal bacteria is of concern, as they might be reservoirs for resistance transfer to pathogenic strains. The study emphasizes the importance of continuous monitoring and deeper investigations into commensal bacteria, emphasizing the need for a broader community screening approach to understand resistance mechanisms in the normal microbiome.202338146567
204020.9999Multidrug-resistant bacteria as intestinal colonizers and evolution of intestinal colonization in healthy university students in Portugal. Multidrug-resistant bacteria have been increasingly described in healthcare institutions, however community resistance also seems to be emerging. Escherichia coli an intestinal commensal bacteria, is also a pathogen and represents an important intestinal reservoir of resistance. Our aim was the study of the intestinal colonization and of the persistence of antibiotic resistant intestinal bacteria in healthy university students of Porto, in the north of Portugal. Samples from 30 university students were collected and analysed. Two E. coli isolates were randomly obtained from each student and Gram-negative bacilli resistant to antibiotics were studied. In addition, we evaluated changes in the Gram-negative intestinal colonization of ten university students in a short period of time. Molecular characterization showed a high presence of bla (TEM) in commensal E. coli . Gram-negative bacteria with intrinsic and extrinsic resistance were isolated, namely Pseudomonas spp., Enterobacter spp. and Pantoea spp. We isolated three ESBL-producing E. coli from two students. These isolates showed bla (CTX-M) group 1 (n=1), bla (CTX-M) group 9 (n=2), bla (TEM) (n=2), bla (SHV) (n=1) and tetA (n=2) genes. Additionally, they showed specific virulence factors and conjugational transfer of antibiotic resistance and virulence genes. One Pseudomonas spp. isolate resistant to carbapenems was detected colonizing one student. Our results confirm that healthy young adults may be colonized with commensals showing clinically relevant antibiotic resistance mechanisms, creating a risk of silent spread of these bacteria in the community.202133997613
169230.9999Phenotypic and genotypic detection of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in fresh fruit juices from a public hospital in Rio de Janeiro. Gram-negative bacteria are worrisome because they are becoming resistant to many antibiotic available options, mainly in hospital environment. Several studies have noted the presence of bacteria producing extended-spectrum beta-lactamase, with the presence of antibiotic-resistance genes in fresh vegetables and fruits. This study aimed to detect the presence of phenotypic and genotypic resistance in eight samples of fresh fruit juices served to patients admitted to a hospital in Rio de Janeiro. The growth of microorganisms on MacConkey and XLD agar was carried out to obtain a "pool" of Gram-negative bacteria. The disk diffusion test and the polymerase chain reaction were performed to detect the phenotypic and genotypic resistance of Gram-negative bacteria to the tested antibiotics. The multidrug resistance was detected in all samples and the shv, tem, ctx, tetA, tetB and oxa- 48 genes were found in the samples, including the presence of class 2 and 3 integrons. We can conclude that the selection methodology allows the detection of a greater number of genes and this found warns about the risk of making these foods available to patients in hospitals.202133398401
557140.9999ESβL E. coli isolated in pig's chain: Genetic analysis associated to the phenotype and biofilm synthesis evaluation. Resistance to new generation cephalosporins is an important public health problem globally, in terms of economic and social costs, morbidity and mortality. Βeta-lactamase enzymes are mainly responsible for the antibiotic resistance of Gram negative bacteria and extended-spectrum-β-lactamases (ESβLs) are one of the major determinants of resistance against oxymino-cephalosporins in Enterobacteriaceae. Food-producing animals represent one of the sources of antibiotic resistant bacteria, including pigs. Here we analysed the presence of E. coli resistant to III generation cephalosporins isolated from different matrices collected from intensively bred pigs. A total of 498 E. coli were isolated from faeces and carcasses of pigs at slaughterhouse as well as from pork meat and sausages. Among these, 73 were phenotypically confirmed to be ESβL producers. Genetic analysis revealed that all except two harboured at least one of the three selected genes: bla(CTX-M), bla(TEM), and bla(SHV). Furthermore, six of the E. coli ESβL isolated from faeces and carcasses swabs, were also able to produce biofilm, highlighting the virulence potential of these strains. The presence of Multi-Drug-Resistance patterns (MDR) recorded by the 73 ESβL E. coli was significant (60% of the strains were resistant to more than six antibiotics in MIC test). Results from the present study show that the transmission of resistant bacteria is possible along the food chain, including production of pork, one the most highly consumed meats around the world. Transmission is possible through the ingestion of raw meat products, and following cross-contamination between raw and cooked foods during preparation. The potential risk for human health demonstrated here, associated with the consumption of pork contaminated with bacterial strains characterized by multidrug resistance patterns, and the ability to produce ESβL and biofilm, is cause for concern. It is imperative to study future control strategies to avoid or limit as much as possible the transmission of these highly pathogenic strains through food consumption and/or contact with the environment.201930245289
194850.9999Identification and Characterization of Cefotaxime Resistant Bacteria in Beef Cattle. Third-generation cephalosporins are an important class of antibiotics that are widely used in treatment of serious Gram-negative bacterial infections. In this study, we report the isolation of bacteria resistant to the third-generation cephalosporin cefotaxime from cattle with no previous cefotaxime antibiotic exposure. The prevalence of cefotaxime-resistant bacteria was examined by a combination of culture based and molecular typing methods in beef cattle (n = 1341) from 8 herds located in North Central Florida. The overall prevalence of cefotaxime-resistant bacteria was 15.8% (95% CI: 13.9, 17.8), varied between farms, and ranged from 5.2% to 100%. A subset of isolates (n = 23) was further characterized for the cefotaxime minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and antibiotic susceptibility against 10 different antibiotics, sequencing of nine β- lactamase genes, and species identification by 16S rRNA sequencing. Most of the bacterial isolates were resistant to cefotaxime (concentrations, > 64 μg/mL) and showed high levels of multi-drug resistance. Full length 16S rRNA sequences (~1300 bp) revealed that most of the isolates were not primary human or animal pathogens; rather were more typical of commensal, soil, or other environmental origin. Six extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) genes identical to those in clinical human isolates were identified. Our study highlights the potential for carriage of cefotaxime resistance (including "human" ESBL genes) by the bacterial flora of food animals with no history of cefotaxime antibiotic exposure. A better understanding of the origin and transmission of resistance genes in these pre-harvest settings will be critical to development of strategies to prevent the spread of antimicrobial resistant microorganisms to hospitals and communities.201627642751
556760.9998Comparison of Antibiotic Resistance and Virulence Factors among Escherichia coli Isolated from Conventional and Free-Range Poultry. Microbiological contamination in commercial poultry production has caused concerns for human health because of both the presence of pathogenic microorganisms and the increase in antimicrobial resistance in bacterial strains that can cause treatment failure of human infections. The aim of our study was to analyze the profile of antimicrobial resistance and virulence factors of E. coli isolates from chicken carcasses obtained from different farming systems (conventional and free-range poultry). A total of 156 E. coli strains were isolated and characterized for genes encoding virulence factors described in extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC). Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed for 15 antimicrobials, and strains were confirmed as extended spectrum of β-lactamases- (ESBLs-) producing E. coli by phenotypic and genotypic tests. The results indicated that strains from free-range poultry have fewer virulence factors than strains from conventional poultry. Strains from conventionally raised chickens had a higher frequency of antimicrobial resistance for all antibiotics tested and also exhibited genes encoding ESBL and AmpC, unlike free-range poultry isolates, which did not. Group 2 CTX-M and CIT were the most prevalent ESBL and AmpC genes, respectively. The farming systems of poultries can be related with the frequency of virulence factors and resistance to antimicrobials in bacteria.201526579536
554870.9998Prevalence of Antimicrobial Resistance Among the Hydrogen Sulfide Producing Bacteria Isolated on XLD Agar from the Poultry Fecal Samples. Poultry products remain as one of the most popular and extensively consumed foods in the world and the introduction of hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S) producing antibiotic resistant bacterial species into it is an emerging challenge. The current study has been designed to analyze the distribution of antibiotic resistance among the H(2)S producing bacteria isolated from the fecal samples of chickens from different poultry farms. Here, twenty bacterial isolates were selected based on their ability to produce H(2)S on XLD agar, and the16S rDNA sequencing was carried out for their molecular identification. The results showed the isolates as belong to Salmonella spp. and Citrobacter spp. and in the antibiotic susceptibility test (AST), three of the Salmonella strains were found to be resistant to antibiotics such as tetracycline, doxycycline, nalidixic acid, and amikacin. Also, fourteen Citrobacter strains showed resistance towards azithromycin, and furthermore, eleven of them were also resistant to streptomycin. Resistance towards tetracycline was observed among five of the Citrobacter strains, and seven were resistant to doxycycline. Further molecular screening by the PCR has showed three of the Salmonella strains along with eight Citrobacter isolates to have tetA gene along with four of the Citrobacter strains to have co-harbored bla(TEM) gene. The results on biofilm formation have also demonstrated three Salmonella strains along with nine Citrobacter strains to have the ability to form moderate biofilm. The study thus describes the occurrence of H(2)S producing multidrug-resistant bacteria in poultry feces, which might contribute towards the dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes to other microorganisms including human pathogens with likely risk to treat disease conditions.202437540287
170980.9998High prevalence of bla(VIM-1) gene in bacteria from Brazilian soil. This study investigated bacteria from soil samples to (i) determine the main bacterial genera and species having resistance to carbapenem and other β-lactams and (ii) establish if the mechanism of resistance was due to the production of metallo-β-lactamases. The isolates were characterized by PCR for metallo-β-lactamases and integrons, by antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and by sequencing. The antimicrobial profile of 40 imipenem-resistant Gram-positive soil isolates from all Brazilian regions demonstrated that 31 (77.5%) of them were multidrug resistant. Among the 40 isolates, 19 presented the bla(VIM) gene and class 1 integrons by PCR. Six of the 19 isolates were identified as Paenibacillus sp., 12 as Bacillus sp., and just 1 was classified as Staphylococcus sp., by sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. These results suggest that bacteria from soil can act as a source of bla(VIM-1) genes, representing a threat to public health.201627392282
169390.9998Major enzymatic factors involved in bacterial penicillin resistance in Burkina Faso. Many clinical species of bacteria were isolated from biological samples such as urines, blood and wound in Saint Camille medical centre of Ouagadougou. Among the concerned species, the most important members were Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae. These p-lactamases producing isolates were directly screened by PCR to identify the nature of the amplified genes responsible for penicillin destroying activity. Therefore specific TEM and SHV primers were used. The PCR products were sequenced. The sequencing results indicated that the parental forms bla(TEM-1) and bla(SHV-1) were the most common determinants of beta-lactamase found, respectively in Escherichia species and Klebsiella pneumoniae. The bacterial susceptibility analysis by MICs measurement clearly correlated the presence of concerned beta-lactamase determinants and their resistance patterns. This study is part of a set of investigations carried out by our laboratory to assess the beta-lactamase incidence in the failure of beta-lactam therapy. In particular, the purpose of this study was to determine the precise nature of beta-lactamase supporting the low susceptibility of host bacteria towards penicillins.200719069526
2255100.9998Diversity and metallo-β-lactamase-producing genes in Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains isolated from filters of household water treatment systems. The microbiological quality of drinking water has long been a critical element in public health. Considering the high clinical relevance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, we examined the filters of household water treatment systems for its presence and characteristics to determine the systems' efficiency in eliminating the bacteria. In total, filters of 50 household water treatment systems were examined. Microbiological and molecular methods were used for the detection and confirmation of P. aeruginosa isolates. Random Amplification of Polymorphic DNA-polymerase chain reaction (RAPD-PCR) was performed to detect similarities and differences among P. aeruginosa isolates. Combined disk (CD) method and double disk synergy test (DDST) were performed to detect metallo-beta-lactamase (MBL)-producing P. aeruginosa isolates. Finally, PCR was performed to detect MBL genes in MBL-producing strains. From the 50 analyzed systems, 76 colonies of P. aeruginosa were identified. In some systems, isolated bacteria from different filters harbored similar genetic profiles, indicating that these isolates may be able to pass through the filter and reach higher filters of the system. Phenotypic tests revealed 7 (9.2%) MBL-producing strains. Two isolates were positive for bla(VIM-1), whereas one isolate was positive for bla(NDM) and bla(IMP-1). The wide distribution of resistant phenotypes and genetic plasticity of these bacteria in household water treatment systems indicate that resistance mechanisms circulate among P. aeruginosa isolates in the environment of the filtration systems. The presence of MBL-producing genes in these systems and P. aeruginosa as a potential reservoir of these resistance genes can be a major concern for public health.201930368151
2254110.9998Hospitalized Pets as a Source of Carbapenem-Resistance. The massive and irrational use of antibiotics in livestock productions has fostered the occurrence and spread of resistance to "old class antimicrobials." To cope with that phenomenon, some regulations have been already enforced in the member states of the European Union. However, a role of livestock animals in the relatively recent alerts on the rapid worldwide increase of resistance to last-choice antimicrobials as carbapenems is very unlikely. Conversely, these antimicrobials are increasingly administered in veterinary hospitals whose role in spreading bacteria or mobile genetic elements has not adequately been addressed so far. A cross-sectional study was carried out on 105 hospitalized and 100 non-hospitalized pets with the aim of measuring the prevalence of carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (GNB) colonizing dogs and cats, either hospitalized or not hospitalized and estimating the relative odds. Stool samples were inoculated on MacConkey agar plates containing 1 mg/L imipenem which were then incubated aerobically at 37°C ± 1 for 48 h. Isolated bacteria were identified first by Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry and were confirmed by 16S rRNA sequencing. The genetic basis of resistance was investigated using PCR methods, gene or whole genome sequencing (WGS). The prevalence of pets harboring carbapenem-resistant bacteria was 11.4 and 1.0% in hospitalized and not-hospitalized animals, respectively, with an odds ratio of 12.8 (p < 0.01). One pet carried two diverse isolates. Overall, 14 gram-negative non-fermenting bacteria, specifically, one Acinetobacter radioresistens, five Acinetobacter baumannii, six Pseudomonas aeruginosa and two Stenotrophomonas maltophilia were isolated. The Acinetobacter species carried acquired carbapenemases genes encoded by bla (NDM-1) and bla (OXA-23). In contrast, Pseudomonas phenotypic resistance was associated with the presence of mutations in the oprD gene. Notably, inherent carbapenem-resistant isolates of S. maltophilia were also resistant to the first-line recommended chemotherapeutic trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. This study estimates the risk of colonization by carbapenem-resistant non-fermenting GNB in pets hospitalized in veterinary tertiary care centers and highlights their potential role in spreading resistance genes among the animal and human community. Public health authorities should consider extending surveillance systems and putting the release of critical antibiotics under more strict control in order to manage the infection/colonization of pets in veterinary settings.201830574124
1593120.9998Epidemiological Description and Detection of Antimicrobial Resistance in Various Aquatic Sites in Marseille, France. Antibiotic resistance is a worldwide public health concern and has been associated with reports of elevated mortality. According to the One Health concept, antibiotic resistance genes are transferrable to organisms, and organisms are shared among humans, animals, and the environment. Consequently, aquatic environments are a possible reservoir of bacteria harboring antibiotic resistance genes. In our study, we screened water and wastewater samples for antibiotic resistance genes by culturing samples on different types of agar media. Then, we performed real-time PCR to detect the presence of genes conferring resistance to beta lactams and colistin, followed by standard PCR and gene sequencing for verification. We mainly isolated Enterobacteriaceae from all samples. In water samples, 36 Gram-negative bacterial strains were isolated and identified. We found three extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing bacteria-Escherichia coli and Enterobacter cloacae strains-harboring the CTX-M and TEM groups. In wastewater samples, we isolated 114 Gram-negative bacterial strains, mainly E. coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Citrobacter freundii and Proteus mirabilis strains. Forty-two bacterial strains were ESBL-producing bacteria, and they harbored at least one gene belonging to the CTX-M, SHV, and TEM groups. We also detected carbapenem-resistant genes, including NDM, KPC, and OXA-48, in four isolates of E. coli. This short epidemiological study allowed us to identify new antibiotic resistance genes present in bacterial strains isolated from water in Marseille. This type of surveillance shows the importance of tracking bacterial resistance in aquatic environments. IMPORTANCE Antibiotic-resistant bacteria are involved in serious infections in humans. The dissemination of these bacteria in water, which is in close contact with human activities, is a serious problem, especially under the concept of One Health. This study was done to survey and localize the circulation of bacterial strains, along with their antibiotic resistance genes, in the aquatic environment in Marseille, France. The importance of this study is to monitor the frequency of these circulating bacteria by creating and surveying water treatments.202336976002
5569130.9998Antimicrobial Resistance and Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase Production in Enterobacteria Isolated from Free-Living Primates. The aim of this study was to evaluate the profile of antimicrobial resistance in members of the family Enterobacteriaceae and to detect strains of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL) in free-living Sapajus nigritus. Oral and rectal swabs were collected from 15 primates to isolate and identify bacteria, conduct phenotypic tests to detect antimicrobial sensitivity and ESBL-producing strains, and calculate the multiple antimicrobial resistance index. The least effective antimicrobial was amoxicillin (72.72%) and ampicillin (57.57%), and the samples were considered as high risk for public health. No sample was positive for ESBL production. The results show that this study is relevant to One Health initiatives, considering the possibility of transmission of bacterial resistance and resistant genes originating from direct or indirect interaction of S. nigritus with parkgoers. However, these animals cannot be considered as the only reservoirs and transmitters of resistant bacteria as they can be contaminated by human-origin bacteria that can be extremely harmful and often prove lethal to them that play an important role in relationship to the ecology, spreading seeds and controlling insects.202032315580
5700140.9998Gram-negative bacterial colonization in the gut: Isolation, characterization, and identification of resistance mechanisms. BACKGROUND: The gut microbiome is made up of a diverse range of bacteria, especially gram-negative bacteria, and is crucial for human health and illness. There is a great deal of interest in the dynamic interactions between gram-negative bacteria and their host environment, especially considering antibiotic resistance. This work aims to isolate gram-negative bacteria that exist in the gut, identify their species, and use resistance-associated gene analysis to define their resistance mechanisms. METHODS: Samples were collected from all patients who had a stool culture at a tertiary care center in Lebanon. Each type of bacteria that was identified from the stool samples was subjected to critical evaluations, and all discovered strains underwent antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Polymerase chain reaction was used to profile the genes for Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE), Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL), and that of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains. RESULTS: Escherichia coli, Klebsiella species, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa turned out to be the predominant microbiota members. Escherichia coli strains had a high frequency of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase genes, with the most discovered gene being bla CTX-M. Additionally, a considerable percentage of isolates had carbapenemase-resistant Enterobacteriaceae genes, suggesting the rise of multidrug-resistant strains. Multidrug resistance genes, such as bla mexR, bla mexB, and bla mexA, were found in strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, highlighting the possible difficulties in treating infections brought on by these bacteria. CONCLUSION: The findings highlight the critical importance of effective surveillance and response measures to maintain the effectiveness of antibiotics considering the introduction of multidrug resistance genes in Pseudomonas aeruginosa and ESBL and CRE genes in Escherichia coli.202439216133
1960150.9998Phenotypic Investigation and Detection of Biofilm-Associated Genes in Acinetobacter baumannii Isolates, Obtained from Companion Animals. Bacteria of the genus Acinetobacter, especially Acinetobacter baumannii (Ab), have emerged as pathogens of companion animals during the last two decades and are commonly associated with hospitalization and multidrug resistance. A critical factor for the distribution of relevant strains in healthcare facilities, including veterinary facilities, is their adherence to both biotic and abiotic surfaces and the production of biofilms. A group of 41 A. baumannii isolates obtained from canine and feline clinical samples in Greece was subjected to phenotypic investigation of their ability to produce biofilms using the tissue culture plate (TCP) method. All of them (100%) produced biofilms, while 23 isolates (56.1%) were classified as strong producers, 11 (26.8%) as moderate producers, and 7 (17.1%) as weak producers. A correlation between the MDR and XDR phenotypes and weak or moderate biofilm production was identified. Moreover, the presence of four biofilm-associated genes bap, bla(PER), ompA, and csuE was examined by PCR, and they were detected in 100%, 65.9%, 97.6%, and 95.1% of the strains respectively. All isolates carried at least two of the investigated genes, whereas most of the strong biofilm producers carried all four genes. In conclusion, the spread and persistence of biofilm-producing Ab strains in veterinary facilities is a matter of concern, since they are regularly obtained from infected animals, indicating their potential as challenging pathogens for veterinarians due to multidrug resistance and tolerance in conventional eradication measures. Furthermore, considering that companion animals can act as reservoirs of relevant strains, public health concerns emerge.202438787042
1599160.9998Colistin Resistance Genes in Broiler Chickens in Tunisia. Colistin is a polymyxin antibiotic that has been used in veterinary medicine for decades, as a treatment for enterobacterial digestive infections as well as a prophylactic treatment and growth promoter in livestock animals, leading to the emergence and spread of colistin-resistant Gram-negative bacteria and to a great public health concern, considering that colistin is one of the last-resort antibiotics against multidrug-resistant deadly infections in clinical practice. Previous studies performed on livestock animals in Tunisia using culture-dependent methods highlighted the presence of colistin-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. In the present survey, DNA extracted from cloacal swabs from 195 broiler chickens from six farms in Tunisia was tested via molecular methods for the ten mobilized colistin resistance (mcr) genes known so far. Of the 195 animals tested, 81 (41.5%) were mcr-1 positive. All the farms tested were positive, with a prevalence ranging from 13% to 93%. These results confirm the spread of colistin resistance in livestock animals in Tunisia and suggest that the investigation of antibiotic resistance genes by culture-independent methods could be a useful means of conducting epidemiological studies on the spread of antimicrobial resistance.202337106971
1826170.9998Extended-spectrum Beta-lactamase gene sequences in gram-negative saprophytes on retail organic and nonorganic spinach. A substantial proportion of infections caused by drug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (GNB) in community and health care settings are recognized to be caused by evolutionarily related GNB strains. Their global spread has been suggested to occur due to human activities, such as food trade and travel. These multidrug-resistant GNB pathogens often harbor mobile drug resistance genes that are highly conserved in their sequences. Because they appear across different GNB species, these genes may have origins other than human pathogens. We hypothesized that saprophytes in common human food products may serve as a reservoir for such genes. Between July 2007 and April 2008, we examined 25 batches of prepackaged retail spinach for cultivatable GNB population structure by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and for antimicrobial drug susceptibility testing and the presence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) genes. We found 20 recognized GNB species among 165 (71%) of 231 randomly selected colonies cultured from spinach. Twelve strains suspected to express ESBLs based on resistance to cefotaxime and ceftazidime were further examined for bla(CTX-M) and bla(TEM) genes. We found a 712-bp sequence in Pseudomonas teessidea that was 100% identical to positions 10 to 722 of an 876-bp bla(CTX-M-15) gene of an E. coli strain. Additionally, we identified newly recognized ESBL bla(RAHN-2) sequences from Rahnella aquatilis. These observations demonstrate that saprophytes in common fresh produce can harbor drug resistance genes that are also found in internationally circulating strains of GNB pathogens; such a source may thus serve as a reservoir for drug resistance genes that ultimately enter pathogens to affect human health.201121216903
1703180.9998Acinetobacter baumannii clinical isolates from outbreaks in Erbil hospitals after the COVID-19 pandemic. INTRODUCTION: Acinetobacter baumannii is endemic in hospital environments, and since the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, multidrug-resistant A. baumannii has become more potent. This potential evolution is driven by the undetectable numbers of gene resistances it has acquired. We evaluated the antibiotic-resistance genes in isolates from patients in Erbil hospitals. METHODOLOGY: This is the first study to demonstrate the antimicrobial resistance epidemic in Erbil, Iraq. A total of 570 patients, including 100 COVID-19 patients were tested. Isolate identification, characterization, antibiotics susceptibility test, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the antibiotic resistance genes in both bacterial chromosome and plasmid, 16S-23S rRNA gene intergenic spacer (ITS) sequencing using the Sanger DNA sequencing, and phylogenetic analysis were used in this study. RESULTS: Only 13% of A. baumannii isolates were from COVID-19 patients. All isolates were multi-drug resistant due because of 24 resistance genes located in both the bacterial chromosome or the plasmid. blaTEM gene was detected in the isolates; however, aadB was not detected in the isolated bacteria. New carbapenemase genes were identified by Sanger sequencing and resistance genes were acquired by plasmids. CONCLUSIONS: The study identified metabolic differences in the isolates; although all the strains used the coumarate pathway to survive. Several resistance genes were present in the isolates' plasmids and chromosome. There were no strong biofilm producers. The role of the plasmid in A. baumannii resistance development was described based on the results.202439499748
1909190.9998Multidrug-Resistant Gram-Negative Bacteria and Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase-Producing Klebsiella pneumoniae from the Poultry Farm Environment. The indiscriminate use and overuse of various antibiotics have caused the rapid emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) in poultry products and the surrounding environment, giving rise to global public health issues. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Gram-negative bacteria (GNB) found in the environment of poultry farms and to evaluate the risk of contamination in these farms based on multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) index values. Soil and effluent samples were collected from 13 poultry farms. The VITEK 2 system was used for bacterial identification and susceptibility testing of the isolates. The identified Gram-negative isolates were Acinetobacter spp., Aeromonas spp., Enterobacter spp., Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus spp., Providencia spp., Pseudomonas spp., and Sphingomonas paucimobilis. The results showed that Enterobacter spp., Aeromonas spp., and Providencia spp. exhibited the highest MDR rates and MAR indices; 14% of K. pneumoniae isolates (3/21 isolates) were resistant to 13 antibiotics and found to be extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing bacteria. As for the tested antibiotics, 96.6% of the isolates (28/29 isolates) demonstrated resistance to ampicillin, followed by ampicillin-sulbactam (55.9% [33/59 isolates]) and cefazolin (54.8% [57/104 isolates]). The high percentage of MDR bacteria and the presence of ESBL-producing K. pneumoniae strains suggested the presence of MDR genes from the poultry farm environment, which poses an alarming threat to the effectiveness of the available antibiotic medicines to treat infectious diseases. Therefore, the use of antibiotics should be regulated and controlled, while studies addressing One Health issues are vital for combating and preventing the development and spread of ARB. IMPORTANCE The occurrence and spread of ARB due to high demand in poultry industries are of great public health concern. The widespread emergence of antibiotic resistance, particularly MDR among bacterial pathogens, poses challenges in clinical treatment. Some pathogens are now virtually untreatable with current antibiotics. However, those pathogens were rarely explored in the environment. In alignment with the concept of One Health, it is imperative to study the rate of resistance in the environment, because this domain plays an important role in the dissemination of bacteria to humans, animals, and other environmental areas. Reliable data on the prevalence of MDR bacteria are crucial to curb the spread of bacterial pathogens that can cause antimicrobial-resistant infections.202235467407