Frequency, Antimicrobial Resistance and Genetic Diversity of Klebsiella pneumoniae in Food Samples

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the frequency of Klebsiella pneumoniae in food samples and to detect antibiotic resistance phenotypes, antimicrobial resistance genes and the molecular subtypes of the recovered isolates. A total of 998 food samples were collected, and 99 (9.9%) K. pneumoniae strains were isolated; the frequencies were 8.2% (4/49) in fresh raw seafood, 13.8% (26/188) in fresh raw chicken, 11.4% (34/297) in frozen raw food and 7.5% (35/464) in cooked food samples. Antimicrobial resistance was observed against 16 antimicrobials. The highest resistance rate was observed for ampicillin (92.3%), followed by tetracycline (31.3%), trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (18.2%), and chloramphenicol (10.1%). Two K. pneumoniae strains were identified as extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)–one strain had three beta-lactamases genes (blaSHV, blaCTX-M-1, and blaCTX-M-10) and one had only the blaSHV gene. Nineteen multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains were detected; the percentage of MDR strains in fresh raw chicken samples was significantly higher than in other sample types (P<0.05). Six of the 18 trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole-resistant strains carried the folate pathway inhibitor gene (dhfr). Four isolates were screened by PCR for quinolone resistance genes; aac(6’)-Ib-cr, qnrB, qnrA and qnrS were detected. In addition, gyrA gene mutations such as T247A (Ser83Ile), C248T (Ser83Phe), and A260C (Asp87Ala) and a parC C240T (Ser80Ile) mutation were identified. Five isolates were screened for aminoglycosides resistance genes; aacA4, aacC2, and aadA1 were detected. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis-based subtyping identified 91 different patterns. Our results indicate that food, especially fresh raw chicken, is a reservoir of antimicrobial-resistant K. pneumoniae, and the potential health risks posed by such strains should not be underestimated. Our results demonstrated high prevalence, antibiotic resistance rate and genetic diversity of K. pneumoniae in food in China. Improved control and prevention strategies are urgently needed.

Drug resistance, AmpC-β-lactamase and extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae isolated from fish and shrimp

“…The presence of K. pneumoniae in fish and shrimp samples ( Table 1 ) serves as an alert and the health risks presented by these strains should not be underestimated. Some studies corroborate the present investigation since they reported the isolation of these species from fish, seafood and other types of food 18 , 19 .…”

<p>Dissemination Pattern of Multidrug Resistant Carbapenemase Producing <em>Klebsiella pneumoniae</em> Isolates Using Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis in Southwestern Iran</p>

“…1 This bacterium is the cause of hospital-acquired infections such as bloodstream infections, pneumonia, meningitis, sepsis, infections in newborns, and intensive care unit patients. 2 In the last decade, the rate of morbidity and mortality related to these infections has increased. 3 The incidence and mortality rates were reported as 7.1 per 100,000 per year and 1.3 per 100,000 per year, respectively.…”

Multiple Antibiotic-Resistant, Extended Spectrum-β-Lactamase (ESBL)-Producing Enterobacteria in Fresh Seafood

“…The threat due to the presence of enteric pathogens in seafood is more confounding when such bacteria are multi-drug resistant (MDR). The prevalence of MDR bacteria in seafood has been reported in many studies in the recent past [ 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 ]. The antibiotic resistance patterns of clinical isolates of enteric bacteria is alarmingly high in India and with the discovery of NDM-producing enteric bacteria, the concerns on the rapid spread of such bacteria via food chain and water is increasing [ 24 , 25 ].…”