Isolation and Molecular Characterization of Antimicrobial-Resistant Bacteria from Vegetable Foods. - Related Documents




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499701.0000Isolation and Molecular Characterization of Antimicrobial-Resistant Bacteria from Vegetable Foods. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a growing threat to global health, and its spread through the food chain is gaining increasing attention. While AMR in food of animal origin has been extensively studied, less is known about its prevalence in plant-based foods, particularly fresh and ready-to-eat (RTE) vegetables. This study investigated the occurrence of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in fresh and RTE vegetables. Isolates were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing and molecular analyses for the characterization of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs). A significant proportion of samples were found to harbor antimicrobial-resistant bacteria, including multidrug-resistant strains. Several ARGs, including those encoding extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) and resistance to critically important antimicrobials, were detected. The findings point to environmental contamination-potentially originating from wastewater reuse and agricultural practices-as a likely contributor to AMR dissemination in vegetables. The presence of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria and ARGs in fresh produce raises concerns about food safety and public health. The current regulatory framework lacks specific criteria for monitoring AMR in vegetables, highlighting the urgent need for surveillance programs and risk mitigation strategies. This study contributes to a better understanding of AMR in the plant-based food sector and supports the implementation of a One Health approach to address this issue.202540732728
499810.9999Microbial Contamination and Antibiotic Resistance in Fresh Produce and Agro-Ecosystems in South Asia-A Systematic Review. Fresh produce prone to microbial contamination is a potential reservoir for antimicrobial-resistant bacteria (ARB) and antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs), posing challenges to food safety and public health. This systematic review aims to comprehensively assess the prevalence of bacterial pathogens and the incidence of ARB/ARGs in fresh produce and agro-ecosystems across South Asia. Twenty-two relevant studies published between 2012 and 2022 from three major scientific databases and the grey literature were identified. The results revealed a wide occurrence of microbial contamination in various types of fresh produce across South Asia, with a predominance of E. coli (16/22), Salmonella spp. (13/22), Staphylococcus spp. (5/22), and Klebsiella spp. (4/22). The agro-ecosystem serves as a complex interface for microbial interactions; studies have reported the prevalence of E. coli (1/4), Salmonella spp. (1/4) and Listeria monocytogenes (1/4) in farm environment samples. A concerning prevalence of ARB has been reported, with resistance to multiple classes of antibiotics. The presence of ARGs in fresh produce underscores the potential for gene transfer and the emergence of resistant pathogens. To conclude, our review provides insights into the requirements of enhanced surveillance, collaborative efforts, implementation of good agricultural practices, and public awareness for food safety and safeguarding public health in the region.202439597656
499620.9999Antimicrobial resistance of Escherichia coli isolated from fish and aquaculture water: an emerging concern for consumers. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) constitutes a significant global health threat, exacerbated using antimicrobials in aquaculture, which accelerates the spread of resistant bacteria. In fish and aquaculture water, Escherichia coli acts as a key reservoir and vector for AMR, facilitating the dissemination of strains resistant to critically important antibiotics such as carbapenems and colistin, often through the production of enzymes such as extended-spectrum ß-lactamases. This review aimed to synthesize recent findings on AMR patterns and associated genes in E. coli from fish and aquaculture waters globally. Studies indicate a high prevalence of resistant E. coli, with multidrug resistance to β-lactams, tetracyclines, quinolones, and sulfonamides. Common resistance genes identified include blaTEM, blaCTX-M, tet(A), sul1, and qnrS. The presence of bacterial strains harboring these resistance genes poses a significant public health risk through transmission in the food chain and the environment. The study concludes that tackling this challenge effectively demands robust surveillance, optimized aquaculture management, responsible antimicrobial stewardship, and a cohesive One Health framework aimed at reducing AMR in aquaculture and preserving public health.202540693960
497930.9999Emerging threat: Antimicrobial resistance proliferation during epidemics - A case study of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in South Brazil. The escalating global concern of antimicrobial resistance poses a significant challenge to public health. This study delved into the occurrence of resistant bacteria and antimicrobial resistance genes in the waters and sediments of urban rivers and correlated this emergence and the heightened use of antimicrobials during the COVID-19 pandemic. Isolating 45 antimicrobial-resistant bacteria across 11 different species, the study identifies prevalent resistance patterns, with ceftriaxone resistance observed in 18 isolates and ciprofloxacin resistance observed in 13 isolates. The detection of extended-spectrum β-lactamases, carbapenemases, and acquired quinolone resistance genes in all samples underscores the gravity of the situation. Comparison with a pre-pandemic study conducted in the same rivers in 2019 reveals the emergence of previously undetected new resistant species, and the noteworthy presence of new resistant species and alterations in resistance profiles among existing species. Notably, antimicrobial concentrations in rivers increased during the pandemic, contributing significantly to the scenario of antimicrobial resistance observed in these rivers. We underscore the substantial impact of heightened antimicrobial usage during epidemics, such as COVID-19, on resistance in urban rivers. It provides valuable insights into the complex dynamics of antimicrobial resistance in environmental settings and calls for comprehensive approaches to combat this pressing global health issue, safeguarding both public and environmental health.202438581873
498540.9999Exploring the Role of the Environment as a Reservoir of Antimicrobial-Resistant Campylobacter: Insights from Wild Birds and Surface Waters. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global health challenge, compromising bacterial infection treatments and necessitating robust surveillance and mitigation strategies. The overuse of antimicrobials in humans and farm animals has made them hotspots for AMR. However, the spread of AMR genes in wildlife and the environment represents an additional challenge, turning these areas into new AMR hotspots. Among the AMR bacteria considered to be of high concern for public health, Campylobacter has been the leading cause of foodborne infections in the European Union since 2005. This study examines the prevalence of AMR genes and virulence factors in Campylobacter isolates from wild birds and surface waters in Luxembourg. The findings reveal a significant prevalence of resistant Campylobacter strains, with 12% of C. jejuni from wild birds and 37% of C. coli from surface waters carrying resistance genes, mainly against key antibiotics like quinolones and tetracycline. This study underscores the crucial role of the environment in the spread of AMR bacteria and genes, highlighting the urgent need for enhanced surveillance and control measures to curb AMR in wildlife and environmental reservoirs and reduce transmission risks to humans. This research supports One Health approaches to tackling antimicrobial resistance and protecting human, animal, and environmental health.202439203463
256450.9999Comparative metagenomics reveals poultry and swine farming are hotspots for multidrug and tetracycline resistance. Antibiotic misuse in livestock is a major threat to human health, as bacteria are quickly developing resistance to them. We performed a comparative analysis of 25 faecal metagenomes from swine, poultry, cattle, and humans to investigate their resistance profiles. Our analysis revealed that all genes conferring resistance to antibiotic classes assessed except tetracyclines were more prevalent in poultry manure than in the remaining species. We detected clinically relevant antibiotic resistance genes, such as mcr-1 which confers resistance to polymyxins. Among them, extended-spectrum β-lactamase blaCTX-M genes were particularly abundant in all species. Poultry manure was identified as a hotspot for multidrug resistance, which may compromise medical treatment options. Urgent actions in the livestock industry are imperative to hamper the emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance.202336758925
498960.9999A closer look on the variety and abundance of the faecal resistome of wild boar. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a serious problem for public and animal health, and also for the environment. Monitoring and reporting the occurrence of AMR determinants and bacteria with the potential to disseminate is a priority for health surveillance programs around the world and critical to the One Health concept. Wildlife is a reservoir of AMR, and human activities can strongly influence their resistome. The main goal of this work was to study the resistome of wild boar faecal microbiome, one of the most important game species in Europe using metagenomic and culturing approaches. The most abundant genes identified by the high-throughput qPCR array encode mobile genetic elements, including integrons, which can promote the dissemination of AMR determinants. A diverse set of genes (n = 62) conferring resistance to several classes of antibiotics (ARGs), some of them included in the WHO list of critically important antimicrobials were also detected. The most abundant ARGs confer resistance to tetracyclines and aminoglycosides. The phenotypic resistance of E. coli and Enterococcus spp. were also investigated, and together supported the metagenomic results. As the wild boar is an omnivorous animal, it can be a disseminator of AMR bacteria and ARGs to livestock, humans, and the environment. This study supports that wild boar can be a key sentinel species in ecosystems surveillance and should be included in National Action Plans to fight AMR, adopting a One Health approach.202234710519
393470.9999Prevalence of antimicrobial resistance genes and its association with restricted antimicrobial use in food-producing animals: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BACKGROUND: There is ongoing debate regarding potential associations between restrictions of antimicrobial use and prevalence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in bacteria. OBJECTIVES: To summarize the effects of interventions reducing antimicrobial use in food-producing animals on the prevalence of AMR genes (ARGs) in bacteria from animals and humans. METHODS: We published a full systematic review of restrictions of antimicrobials in food-producing animals and their associations with AMR in bacteria. Herein, we focus on studies reporting on the association between restricted antimicrobial use and prevalence of ARGs. We used multilevel mixed-effects models and a semi-quantitative approach based on forest plots to summarize findings from studies. RESULTS: A positive effect of intervention [reduction in prevalence or number of ARGs in group(s) with restricted antimicrobial use] was reported from 29 studies for at least one ARG. We detected significant associations between a ban on avoparcin and diminished presence of the vanA gene in samples from animals and humans, whereas for the mecA gene, studies agreed on a positive effect of intervention in samples only from animals. Comparisons involving mcr-1, blaCTX-M, aadA2, vat(E), sul2, dfrA5, dfrA13, tet(E) and tet(P) indicated a reduced prevalence of genes in intervention groups. Conversely, no effects were detected for β-lactamases other than blaCTX-M and the remaining tet genes. CONCLUSIONS: The available body of scientific evidence supported that restricted use of antimicrobials in food animals was associated with an either lower or equal presence of ARGs in bacteria, with effects dependent on ARG, host species and restricted drug.202133146719
662780.9999Antibiotic resistance profiles on pathogenic bacteria in the Brazilian environments. The present study aimed to elaborate a review of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria in soil, food, aquatic environments, cattle, poultry, and swine farms in Brazil. Initially, the literature database for published papers from 2012 to 2023 was Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), U.S. National Library of Medicine (PubMed), and Google Scholar, through the descriptors: antimicrobial resistance, resistance profile, multidrug resistance, environmental bacteria, and pathogenic bacteria. The studies demonstrated the prevalence of pathogenic and resistant bacteria in environments that favor their rapid dissemination. Bacteria of medical importance, such as Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella spp., Shigella spp., Vibrio spp., were present in samples from animal farms and foods, including cheese and milk, urban aquatic environments, hospital effluents, and shrimp farms. Studies suggested that important bacteria have been disseminated through different niches with easy contact with humans, animals, and food, demonstrating the danger of the emergence of increasingly difficult conditions for treating and controlling these infections. Thus, better understanding and characterizing the resistance profiles of bacteria in these regions, mainly referring to MDR bacteria, can help develop solutions to prevent the progression of this public health problem.202337043091
662390.9998Genomic Characterization of Antimicrobial Resistance in Food Chain and Livestock-Associated Salmonella Species. The rising trend of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) by foodborne bacteria is a public health concern as these pathogens are easily transmitted to humans through the food chain. Non-typhoid Salmonella spp. is one of the leading foodborne pathogens which infect humans worldwide and is associated with food and livestock. Due to the lack of discovery of new antibiotics and the pressure exerted by antimicrobial resistance in the pharmaceutical industry, this review aimed to address the issue of antibiotic use in livestock which leads to AMR in Salmonella. Much attention was given to resistance to carbapenems and colistin which are the last-line antibiotics used in cases of multi drug resistant bacterial infections. In the present review, we highlighted data published on antimicrobial resistant Salmonella species and serovars associated with livestock and food chain animals. The importance of genomic characterization of carbapenem and colistin resistant Salmonella in determining the relationship between human clinical isolates and food animal isolates was also discussed in this review. Plasmids, transposons, and insertion sequence elements mediate dissemination of not only AMR genes but also genes for resistance to heavy metals and disinfectants, thus limiting the therapeutic options for treatment and control of Salmonella. Genes for resistance to colistin (mcr-1 to mcr-9) and carbapenem (blaVIM-1, blaDNM-1, and blaNDM-5) have been detected from poultry, pig, and human Salmonella isolates, indicating food animal-associated AMR which is a threat to human public health. Genotyping, plasmid characterization, and phylogenetic analysis is important in understanding the epidemiology of livestock-related Salmonella so that measures of preventing foodborne threats to humans can be improved.202133803844
4988100.9998Oh, deer! How worried should we be about the diversity and abundance of the faecal resistome of red deer? The emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global threat to public health. Antimicrobials are used in animal production and human medicine, which contribute to the circulation of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in the environment. Wildlife can be reservoirs of pathogens and resistant bacteria. Furthermore, anthropogenic pressure can influence their resistome. This work aimed to study the AMR of the faecal microbiome of red deer, one of the most important game species in Europe. To this end, a high-throughput qPCR approach was employed to screen a high number of ARGs and the antimicrobial susceptibility of indicator bacteria was determined. Several genes that confer resistance to different classes of antibiotics were identified, with the most abundant being tetracycline ARGs. Other genes were also present that are considered current and future threats to human health, and some of these were relatively abundant. Multidrug-resistant E. coli and Enterococcus spp. were isolated, although the overall level of antibiotic resistance was low. These results highlight the pressing need to know the origin and transmission of AMR in wildlife. Thus, and considering the One Health concept, studies such as this one shows the need for surveillance programs to prevent the spread of drug-resistant strains and ARGs.202235151727
6590110.9998Genomic epidemiology of Escherichia coli: antimicrobial resistance through a One Health lens in sympatric humans, livestock and peri-domestic wildlife in Nairobi, Kenya. BACKGROUND: Livestock systems have been proposed as a reservoir for antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) bacteria and AMR genetic determinants that may infect or colonise humans, yet quantitative evidence regarding their epidemiological role remains lacking. Here, we used a combination of genomics, epidemiology and ecology to investigate patterns of AMR gene carriage in Escherichia coli, regarded as a sentinel organism. METHODS: We conducted a structured epidemiological survey of 99 households across Nairobi, Kenya, and whole genome sequenced E. coli isolates from 311 human, 606 livestock and 399 wildlife faecal samples. We used statistical models to investigate the prevalence of AMR carriage and characterise AMR gene diversity and structure of AMR genes in different host populations across the city. We also investigated household-level risk factors for the exchange of AMR genes between sympatric humans and livestock. RESULTS: We detected 56 unique acquired genes along with 13 point mutations present in variable proportions in human and animal isolates, known to confer resistance to nine antibiotic classes. We find that AMR gene community composition is not associated with host species, but AMR genes were frequently co-located, potentially enabling the acquisition and dispersal of multi-drug resistance in a single step. We find that whilst keeping livestock had no influence on human AMR gene carriage, the potential for AMR transmission across human-livestock interfaces is greatest when manure is poorly disposed of and in larger households. CONCLUSIONS: Findings of widespread carriage of AMR bacteria in human and animal populations, including in long-distance wildlife species, in community settings highlight the value of evidence-based surveillance to address antimicrobial resistance on a global scale. Our genomic analysis provided an in-depth understanding of AMR determinants at the interfaces of One Health sectors that will inform AMR prevention and control.202236482440
3933120.9998Metagenomic Analysis of Ready-to-Eat Foods on Retail Sale in the UK Identifies Diverse Genes Related to Antimicrobial Resistance. Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), i.e., the evolution of microbes to become resistant to chemicals used to control them, is a global public health concern that can make bacterial diseases untreatable. Inputs including antibiotics, metals, and biocides can create an environment in the agrifood chain that selects for AMR. Consumption of food represents a potential exposure route to AMR microbes and AMR genes (ARGs), which may be present in viable bacteria or on free DNA. Ready-to-eat (RTE) foods are of particular interest because they are eaten without further cooking, so AMR bacteria or ARGs that are present may be consumed intact. They also represent varied production systems (fresh produce, cooked meat, dairy, etc.). An evidence gap exists regarding the diversity and consumption of ARGs in RTE food, which this study begins to address. We sampled 1001 RTE products at retail sale in the UK, in proportion to their consumption by the UK population, using National Diet and Nutrition Survey data. Bacterial DNA content of sample extracts was assessed by 16S metabarcoding, and 256 samples were selected for metagenomic sequencing for identification of ARGs based on consumption and likely bacterial DNA content. A total of 477 unique ARGs were identified in the samples, including ARGs that may be involved in resistance to important antibiotics, such as colistin, fluoroquinolones, and carbapenems, although phenotypic AMR was not measured. Based on the incidence of ARGs in food types, ARGs are estimated to be present in a high proportion of average diets. ARGs were detected on almost all RTE food types tested (48 of 52), and some efflux pump genes are consumed in 97% of UK diets.202540871269
6593130.9998Metagenomic analysis of human, animal, and environmental samples identifies potential emerging pathogens, profiles antibiotic resistance genes, and reveals horizontal gene transfer dynamics. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a significant threat to global health. The indiscriminate use of antibiotics has accelerated the emergence and spread of drug-resistant bacteria, compromising our ability to treat infectious diseases. A One Health approach is essential to address this urgent issue, recognizing the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. This study investigated the prevalence and transmission of AMR in a temporary settlement in Kathmandu, Nepal. By employing shotgun metagenomics, we analyzed a diverse range of samples, including human fecal samples, avian fecal samples, and environmental samples. Our analysis revealed a complex interplay of pathogenic bacteria, virulence factors (VF), and antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) across these different domains. We identified a diverse range of bacterial species, including potential pathogens, in both human and animal samples. Notably, Prevotella spp. was the dominant gut bacterium in human samples. Additionally, we detected a wide range of phages and viruses, including Stx-2 converting phages, which can contribute to the virulence of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) strains. Our analysis revealed the presence of 72 virulence factor genes and 53 ARG subtypes across the studied samples. Poultry samples exhibited the highest number of ARG subtypes, suggesting that the intensive use of antibiotics in poultry production may contribute to the dissemination of AMR. Furthermore, we observed frequent horizontal gene transfer (HGT) events, with gut microbiomes serving as key reservoirs for ARGs. This study underscores the critical role of a One Health approach in addressing AMR. By integrating human, animal, and environmental health perspectives, we can better understand the complex dynamics of AMR and develop effective strategies for prevention and control. Our findings highlight the urgent need for robust surveillance systems, judicious antibiotic use, and improved hygiene practices to mitigate the impact of AMR on public health.202540204742
3950140.9998Occurrence and spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria on animal farms and in their vicinity in Poland and Ukraine-review. Intensive animal farming emits to the environment very high concentrations of bioaerosol, mainly composed of microorganisms, including antibiotics resistant strains, and their derivatives. Poland is a significant producer of poultry and swine in Europe; Ukraine is located in the immediate vicinity of Poland and the EU. Thus, the review focuses on the presence of potentially pathogenic and antimicrobial-resistant zoonotic bacteria and antimicrobial genes in the environment of farms and food of animal origin in Poland and Ukraine. Existing data confirms presence of these bacteria in the food animal origin chain environment in both countries. However, it is difficult to compare the scale of multidrug-resistant bacteria (e.g. MRSA, ESBL) dissemination in Poland and Ukraine with other EU countries due to lack of more extensive studies and large-scale monitoring in these two countries. A series of studies concerning resistance of pathogenic bacteria isolated from livestock environment have been published in Poland but usually on single farms with a very limited number of samples, and without a genotypic drug resistance marking. From Ukraine are available only few reports, but also disturbing. The risk of antibiotic-resistant bacteria transmission does not only concern animal farming, but also other facilities of animal origin food supply chains, especially slaughterhouses.202234870776
2565150.9998Phenotypic and genotypic characterization of antibiotic-resistant bacteria from Swiss ready-to-eat meat products. Antimicrobial resistance is a global health concern, which is partly driven by rising meat consumption, which has led to the intensive farming of livestock that relies on antibiotics. ready-to-eat animal products can carry antibiotic-resistant bacteria, posing risks to humans since they are often consumed without further cooking. While countries such as Switzerland limit antibiotic use in agriculture, contamination of meat with antibiotic-resistant bacteria can still occur during meat processing, and non-antibiotic agents such as heavy metals may contribute to the co-selection of resistance. This study aimed to characterize antibiotic-resistant bacteria in ready-to-eat meat products from various Swiss butcheries. Presumptive resistant bacteria were isolated using selective plating and analyzed phenotypically and genotypically. A total of 53 bacteria-antibiotic resistance combinations were identified, including Enterobacterales resistant to third-generation cephalosporins, vancomycin-resistant Enterococci, and one strain of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Of the 804 products sampled, 177 antibiotic-resistant bacteria were isolated, 148 of which showed multidrug resistance. Notably, these strains remained susceptible to last-resort antibiotics such as carbapenems and colistin. Whole-genome sequencing of 31 selected isolates revealed 164 antibiotic resistance genes spanning 25 classes, confirming resistance to beta-lactams, cephalosporins, and tetracyclines. We also detected genes conferring resistance to metals, suggesting co-selection pressures. Long-read sequencing revealed that the majority of the antibiotic resistance genes were chromosomal, while others were plasmid-encoded, indicating the potential for horizontal gene transfer. This study demonstrates that ready-to-eat meat products are reservoirs of antibiotic and metal resistance genes, as well as antibiotic-resistant bacteria, even at low levels. From a One Health perspective, our results highlight the importance of extending AMR surveillance across the food chain and underscore the need to include non-traditional bacterial indicators.202541001059
6602160.9998Environmental Risk Factors Contributing to the Spread of Antibiotic Resistance in West Africa. Antibiotic resistance is a well-documented global health challenge that disproportionately impacts low- and middle-income countries. In 2019, the number of deaths attributed to and associated with antibiotic resistance in Western Sub-Saharan Africa was approximately 27 and 115 per 100,000, respectively, higher than in other regions worldwide. Extensive research has consistently confirmed the persistent presence and spread of antibiotic resistance in hospitals, among livestock, within food supply chains, and across various environmental contexts. This review documents the environmental risk factors contributing to the spread of antibiotic resistance in West Africa. We collected studies from multiple West African countries using the Web of Science and PubMed databases. We screened them for factors associated with antibiotic-resistant bacteria and resistance genes between 2018 and 2024. Our findings indicate that antibiotic resistance remains a significant concern in West Africa, with environmental pollution and waste management identified as major factors in the proliferation of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and resistance genes between 2018 and 2024. Additional contributing factors include poor hygiene, the use of antibiotics in agriculture, aquaculture, and animal farming, and the transmission of antibiotic resistance within hospital settings. Unfortunately, the lack of comprehensive genetic characterization of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and resistance genes hinders a thorough understanding of this critical issue in the region. Since antibiotic resistance transcends national borders and can spread within and between countries, it is essential to understand the environmental risk factors driving its dissemination in West African countries. Such understanding will be instrumental in developing and recommending effective strategies nationally and internationally to combat antibiotic resistance.202540284787
3940170.9998Chicken Meat-Associated Enterococci: Influence of Agricultural Antibiotic Use and Connection to the Clinic. Industrial farms are unique, human-created ecosystems that provide the perfect setting for the development and dissemination of antibiotic resistance. Agricultural antibiotic use amplifies naturally occurring resistance mechanisms from soil ecologies, promoting their spread and sharing with other bacteria, including those poised to become endemic within hospital environments. To better understand the role of enterococci in the movement of antibiotic resistance from farm to table to clinic, we characterized over 300 isolates of Enterococcus cultured from raw chicken meat purchased at U.S. supermarkets by the Consumers Union in 2013. Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium were the predominant species found, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing uncovered striking levels of resistance to medically important antibiotic classes, particularly from classes approved by the FDA for use in animal production. While nearly all isolates were resistant to at least one drug, bacteria from meat labeled as raised without antibiotics had fewer resistances, particularly for E. faecium Whole-genome sequencing of 92 isolates revealed that both commensal- and clinical-isolate-like enterococcal strains were associated with chicken meat, including isolates bearing important resistance-conferring elements and virulence factors. The ability of enterococci to persist in the food system positions them as vehicles to move resistance genes from the industrial farm ecosystem into more human-proximal ecologies.IMPORTANCE Bacteria that contaminate food can serve as a conduit for moving drug resistance genes from farm to table to clinic. Our results show that chicken meat-associated isolates of Enterococcus are often multidrug resistant, closely related to pathogenic lineages, and harbor worrisome virulence factors. These drug-resistant agricultural isolates could thus represent important stepping stones in the evolution of enterococci into drug-resistant human pathogens. Although significant efforts have been made over the past few years to reduce the agricultural use of antibiotics, continued assessment of agricultural practices, including the roles of processing plants, shared breeding flocks, and probiotics as sources for resistance spread, is needed in order to slow the evolution of antibiotic resistance. Because antibiotic resistance is a global problem, global policies are needed to address this threat. Additional measures must be taken to mitigate the development and spread of antibiotic resistance elements from farms to clinics throughout the world.201931471308
2562180.9998Characterisation of Antimicrobial Resistance in Special-Fed Veal Production Environments. INTRODUCTION: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the leading public health threats globally. AMR genes can be transferred between bacteria through lateral gene transfer, and AMR organisms can spread through environments by contaminated water, agriculture and animals. Thus, widespread environmental dissemination of bacteria and lateral gene transfer facilitate AMR transmission pathways. Farm environments in dairy and calf production are known to harbour AMR bacteria that pose a risk for food contamination and to workers in direct or indirect contact with animals. Escherichia coli is present in farm environments and is known to participate in lateral gene transfer, providing a good marker of resistance genes in each environment. METHODS: In this study, E. coli from nine cohorts of calves was isolated at different time points from nine barns, nine trailers and one slaughterhouse environment in a single special-fed veal calf production facility. The antimicrobial susceptibility to 15 antimicrobials, classified as highly or critically important by the World Health Organization, was characterised for E. coli isolates using Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion. RESULTS: The highest proportion of isolates showing multidrug resistance was present in barn environments (51.7%), where calves were housed from their arrival at < 2 weeks of age until they were transported to slaughter. Additionally, 15 E. coli isolates were resistant to 11 of the 15 antimicrobials tested. Trailer and slaughterhouse environments had greater prevalence of resistance after accommodating calves, including resistance to third-generation cephalosporins. CONCLUSION: These data highlight the importance of calf environments in the dissemination of resistant bacteria and gives insight into where interventions could be most effective in combatting antimicrobial-resistant bacteria that could infect humans and livestock.202539402773
4994190.9998Diving into the unknown: identification of antimicrobial resistance hotspots in a tropical urban estuary. Antimicrobial resistance is widely studied and well-characterized from a clinical perspective. However, considerably less information is available regarding resistance in environmental settings, especially in aquatic habitats. This study presents data regarding the occurrence, distribution and the antimicrobial susceptibility profile of bacteria isolated from Guanabara Bay (GB), a heavily polluted tropical urban estuary and an important tourist attraction in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Water samples from sites characterized by growing degrees of pollution were analysed by culture-dependent methods, revealing the presence of multidrug-resistant bacteria and clinically relevant indicators of antimicrobial resistance, such as extended-spectrum beta-lactamases. Isolates were identified by mass spectrometry, which indicated the presence of potential human pathogens such as Aeromonas spp. and Vibrio spp. Bacteria harbouring beta-lactam resistance genes were also detected. Although GB is widely used as a recreational and fishing area, there is a substantial knowledge gap regarding the monitoring of antimicrobial resistance and the risk that exposure to these waters poses to public health. Thus, this study reveals new information that calls for better comprehension of antimicrobial resistance in aquatic environments, especially those used for recreational purposes.202134146437