Extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing E. coli from retail meat and workers: genetic diversity, virulotyping, pathotyping and the antimicrobial effect of silver nanoparticles

Abstract

Background The spread of extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBL) producing E. coli from food animals and the environment to humans has become a significant public health concern. The objectives of this study were to determine the occurrence, pathotypes, virulotypes, genotypes, and antimicrobial resistance patterns of ESBL-producing E. coli in retail meat samples and workers in retail meat shops in Egypt and to evaluate the bactericidal efficacy of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs-H2O2) against multidrug resistant (MDR) ESBL-producing E. coli. Results A total of 250 retail meat samples and 100 human worker samples (hand swabs and stool) were examined for the presence of ESBL- producing E. coli. Duck meat and workers’ hand swabs were the highest proportion of ESBL- producing E. coli isolates (81.1%), followed by camel meat (61.5%). Pathotyping revealed that the isolates belonged to groups A and B1. Virulotyping showed that the most prevalent virulence gene was Shiga toxin 2 (stx2) associated gene (36.9%), while none of the isolates harbored stx1 gene. Genotyping of the identified isolates from human and meat sources by REP-PCR showed 100% similarity within the same cluster between human and meat isolates. All isolates were classified as MDR with an average multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) index of 0.7. AgNPs-H2O2 at concentrations of 0.625, 1.25, 2.5 and 5 μg/mL showed complete bacterial growth inhibition. Conclusions Virulent MDR ESBL-producing E. coli were identified in retail meat products in Egypt, posing significant public health threats. Regular monitoring of ESBL-producing E. coli frequency and antimicrobial resistance profile in retail meat products is crucial to enhance their safety. AgNPs-H2O2 is a promising alternative for treating MDR ESBL-producing E. coli infections and reducing antimicrobial resistance risks.

Exploring Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL)-Producing Escherichia coli in Food-Producing Animals and Animal-Derived Foods

“…Similarly, in Nigeria, a high frequency of ESBL-producing E. coli was detected on the hands of retailers (40.6%) and butchers (75.0%) who handled pork [64]. Comparable findings were reported among food handlers in Ethiopia [65,66] and Egypt [67]. In Tunisia, stool samples collected from 2135 food handlers revealed that 419 (19.63%) E. coli isolates were considered ESBL producers, with a notable prevalence of strains belonging to ST131.…”

Genomic Evaluation of Multidrug-Resistant Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase (ESBL)-Producing Escherichia coli from Irrigation Water and Fresh Produce in South Africa: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

“…coli infections among humans are associated with phylogroups B2 and, to a lesser extent, D, while phylogroups A and B1 are often associated with commensal E. coli. , …”

“…coli strains belong to different phylogenetic groups, which are intertwined with virulence factors and the genetic substructures associated with different phylogeny, phenotypic, and genotypic traits. , The most recent phylogenetic grouping of E. coli describes eight phylogroups (A, B1, B2, C, D, E, F, and G) based on the presence or absence of four genes ( ChuA , yjaA , TspE4.C2 , and arpA ), with specific lifestyles and/or hosts attributed to each. − Typically, E. coli infections among humans are associated with phylogroups B2 and, to a lesser extent, D, while phylogroups A and B1 are often associated with commensal E.…”

First Insights on Resistance and Virulence Potential of Escherichia coli from Captive Birds of Prey in Portugal

“…Commensal intestinal bacteria, such as Escherichia coli, have been described as good fecal indicators [9]; moreover, this bacterial species includes relevant multidrug-resistant strains, including carbapenemresistant and extended-spectrum β-lactamases-producing strains, with known resistance to fluoroquinolones, aminoglycosides, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole [10]. Apart from including commensal strains, enteric E. coli can be categorized into distinct pathotypes according to their pathogenicity and virulence traits, which include enterohemorrhagic (EHEC), enteropathogenic (EPEC), enterotoxigenic (ETEC), enteroinvasive (EIEC), enteroaggregative (EAEC), diffusely adherent (DAEC), and adherent-invasive (AIEC) E. coli [11,12]. Together, these traits make E. coli a relevant model for investigating resistance transmission pathways within ecosystems [9].…”