Characterizing Antimicrobial Resistance in Clinically Relevant Bacteria Isolated at the Human/Animal/Environment Interface Using Whole-Genome Sequencing in Austria

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a public health issue attributed to the misuse of antibiotics in human and veterinary medicine. Since AMR surveillance requires a One Health approach, we sampled nine interconnected compartments at a hydrological open-air lab (HOAL) in Austria to obtain six bacterial species included in the WHO priority list of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB). Whole genome sequencing-based typing included core genome multilocus sequence typing (cgMLST). Genetic and phenotypic characterization of AMR was performed for all isolates. Eighty-nine clinically-relevant bacteria were obtained from eight compartments including 49 E. coli, 27 E. faecalis, 7 K. pneumoniae and 6 E. faecium. Clusters of isolates from the same species obtained in different sample collection dates were detected. Of the isolates, 29.2% were resistant to at least one antimicrobial. E. coli and E. faecalis isolates from different compartments had acquired antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) associated with veterinary drugs such as aminoglycosides and tetracyclines, some of which were carried in conjugative and mobilizable plasmids. Three multidrug resistant (MDR) E. coli isolates were found in samples from field drainage and wastewater. Early detection of ARGs and ARB in natural and farm-related environments can identify hotspots of AMR and help prevent its emergence and dissemination along the food/feed chain.

Antimicrobial Resistance Profiling of Bacterial Isolates from Wastewater and Environmental Samples Collected from Pharmaceutical Industries in South India

“…But, in this study, a strong correlation was shown that some beta lactam and uroquinoloe antibiotics resistance were co-existed; there were also evidences for the co-existence of uroquinolone, beta lactam group ARGs with beta lactams, uroquinolones and aminoglycoside antibiotic groups 39,40 . Previous study demonstrated that genotypic factors play a signi cant role in in uencing phenotypic antibiotic resistance 41 .…”

Effect of Zinc Oxide and Copper Sulfate on Antibiotic Resistance Plasmid Transfer in Escherichia coli

“…Bacteria are indeed continuously exchanging genetic determinants, thus contributing to the public health concern towards antibiotic resistance dissemination [8]. E. coli is the best example of bacterial species that may promote the transfer of resistance genes to humans [55], to food-producing [9][10][11] and companion animals [56], and within the environment [12]. Although antibiotics present in sub-inhibitory concentrations may contribute to the development of antibiotic resistant strains, they have also been shown to participate in the dissemination of the corresponding resistance genes.…”

“…However, there is an increasing number of reports associating heavy metals [3,4] and other compounds such as detergents [5], nanomaterials [6], and pesticides [7] as promoters for the dissemination of antibiotic resistance. Such spread is mainly linked to plasmids carrying resistance genes in Gram negatives among isolates identified in humans [8], in the food chain [9][10][11], or in the environment [12].…”

Impact of veterinary antibiotics on plasmid-encoded antibiotic resistance transfer

“…It is now well admitted that the problem of antimicrobial resistance, particularly associated with E. coli species, is not limited to human clinical isolates and that extra sources such as food products, 22 , 30 , 31 companion animals 32 and the environment 33 also represent a major source of concern. Our study was designed to evaluate the possible impact that antibiotics used in veterinary practice may have on the transfer of plasmids encoding the main antibiotic resistance determinants identified in animals and that might possibly be further transferred to human pathogens.…”