Dissemination of the multidrug-resistant extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli O25b-ST131 clone and the role of house crow (Corvus splendens) foraging on hospital waste in Bangladesh

Abstract

Two hundred and thirty-eight faecal samples from crows foraging on hospital wastes were analysed for extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae. ESBL-producing crow isolates were characterized and compared with 31 patient isolates. Among the crows, 59% carried ESBL producers. These included Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Raoultella terrigena and Enterobacter cloacae harbouring the genes for CTX-M-1, CTX-M-15, CTX-M-55, CTX-M-79, and CTX-M-14. Human isolates carried only the CTX-M-15 gene. Two-thirds of crow E. coli isolates and all human E. coli isolates were multidrug resistant. Crows and patients shared E. coli sequence types, including the epidemic E. coli O25b-ST131 clone. The scavenging behaviour of crows at poorly managed hospital waste dumps made them potential reservoirs of antibiotic resistance, including ESBLs.

Genomic and Functional Analysis of Emerging Virulent and Multidrug-Resistant Escherichia coli Lineage Sequence Type 648

“…Several publications have reported the frequent occurrence of ESBL-producing ST131 and ST648 strains in wild-bird populations and poultry, possibly pointing toward an increased colonization ability of ESBL E. coli in the avian gut (23)(24)(25). To test whether ST131 and ST648 would differ in this respect in vivo, we performed colonization experiments for ST648 and ST131 in chicken intestines.…”

Fecal Carriage of Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamases in Healthy Humans, Poultry, and Wild Birds in León, Nicaragua—A Shared Pool of blaCTX-M Genes and Possible Interspecies Clonal Spread of Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamases-Producing Escherichia coli

“…Although the numbers are too small to draw any definite conclusion, it is interesting to note that the prevalence in Cattle Egrets sampled at the dump in Leon (33%, Table 4) was much higher than the average in the cohort of wild birds in our study (8%), suggesting that proximity to human activities might contribute to colonization of birds with antibiotic-resistant bacteria. 11,26,27 The bla CTX-M is a major ESBL type that has high clinical importance. Different types of clinically relevant bla CTX-M genotypes have been reported in humans as well as in different reservoirs, including wild birds and poultry, in many parts of the world.…”

Absence of vancomycin-resistant enterococci among highly ESBL-positive crows (Corvus splendens) foraging on hospital waste in Bangladesh

“…This study indicates the absence of VRE harboring vanA and vanB genes among crows foraging on hospital wastes even though they were potential carriers of ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae ( 28 ). Thus, spread through hospital waste via house crows does not seem to be a major mechanism for dissemination of VRE in Bangladesh.…”

“…A study on these samples demonstrated that 59% of the crows living on hospital waste were potential carriers of clinically relevant ESBL-producing E. coli and Klebsiella ( 19 ), and hospital waste has been reported as a potential source of antibiotic-resistant bacteria ( 19 , 27 ). These crows were reported as potential carriers of clinical relevant human-associated ESBL-producing E. coli ST13-O25b clones, likely because of their foraging behaviors in hospital waste dumps ( 28 ). It has also been documented that wild birds can carry VRE and ESBL-producing bacteria simultaneously ( 16 ).…”