Antimicrobial Resistance in Escherichia coli Isolated from Wild Animals in Poland

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance was tested in Escherichia coli isolated from feces (n = 660) of red deer, roe deer, fallow deer, European bison, and wild boar shot in regional forests in Poland during two winter hunting seasons. Indicator E. coli (n = 542) was resistant against 11 of 14 tested compounds, mostly sulfamethoxazole, streptomycin, ampicillin, trimethoprim, and tetracycline (1.3-6.6% range). No significant differences were observed between boar and ruminant isolates. Most of deer and bison isolates showed no resistance. Selective screening of wildlife samples revealed 1.7% prevalence of cephalosporin-resistant E. coli found mostly in wild boars. They produced extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (bla, bla) and plasmid-mediated AmpC-type cephalosporinase (bla). The majority of the isolates originated from boars shot in a narrow time frame and space; therefore, common antimicrobial selection pressure in the environment was assumed. Three E. coli isolates carried plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance genes (qnrS1/S3). No transferable colistin resistance mechanisms were found in two resistant E. coli. Transferability of resistance was proved in a single pAmpC-positive isolate carrying IncI1-alpha 95 kb plasmid. No cephalosporin-resistant E. coli harbored pathogenicity markers; therefore, they might be considered a vector of resistance determinants, but not a pathogen themselves.

Pathotypes and Antimicrobial Susceptibility of Escherichia Coli Isolated from Wild Boar (Sus scrofa) in Tuscany

“…However, in Italy, as in Europe, studies concerning the diffusion of E. coli pathotypes in this species are still limited. This is also the case for antimicrobial resistance: few works are currently available, and they generally focus on a small number of specimens or a specific antimicrobial class [22,[25][26][27][28][29][30][31]35]. This research highlights that wild boar can act as carriers for different E. coli pathotypes and antimicrobial-resistant strains.…”

“…Moreover, other research conducted in the same country revealed 10.4% positivity of wild boar to extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) E. coli, associated with resistance to other antimicrobials [28]. In eastern Europe (Serbia, Poland, Czech Republic), recent works revealed the circulation of resistant, multidrug-resistant, ESBL, and cephalosporin-resistant E. coli among wild boar, even if in small ratios [29][30][31]. Several studies in Europe reported data about antimicrobial resistance in E. coli from wild boar.…”

MCR-1 Colistin Resistance in Escherichia coli Wildlife: A Continental Mini-review

“…There is an urgent need and we emphasize to look for MCR-1 gene, not only in birds but also in animals. Although birds can travel and disseminate more than animals, but we cannot neglect the impact of interaction between domestic and wildlife animals, as indicated from wild animals in Poland [16]. Also, we suggest investigating MCR-1 gene presence in other continents of Figure 1: Interactions between groups.…”

“…Since, most emerging human diseases have come from wildlife and natural environment and wildlife is considered to a "melting pot" and dissemination route of antibacterial resistance [16].…”

Prevalence of extended-spectrum β-lactamases in the local farm environment and livestock: challenges to mitigate antimicrobial resistance

“…Interestingly, Hasan et al (2016) reported that among five different bird species evaluated, cattle egrets, which forage at the feet of grazing cattle, showed the highest prevalence of ESBL-producing bacteria, suggesting a high probability of transmission of ARMs between birds and cattle in the environment where they co-inhabit (Hasan et al 2016). Other wildlife including wolves, seabreams, lynxes, wild boars, foxes, deers, bats, and rodents can also be potential reservoirs of ESBL-producing bacteria (Nhung et al 2015;Crist ovão et al 2017;Schaufler et al 2018;Wasyl et al 2018;Garcês et al 2019). In addition, flies near livestock have been shown to carry ESBL-producing bacteria (dos Santos Alves et al 2018).…”