Houseflies (Musca domestica) as Vectors for Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase-Producing Escherichia coli on Spanish Broiler Farms

Abstract

bFlies may act as potential vectors for the spread of resistant bacteria to different environments. This study was intended to evaluate the presence of Escherichia coli strains resistant to cephalosporins in flies captured in the areas surrounding five broiler farms. Phenotypic and molecular characterization of the resistant population was performed by different methods: MIC determination, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), multilocus sequence typing (MLST), and phylotyping. The presence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) genes, their plasmid location, and the mobile genetic elements involved in their mobilization were studied. Additionally, the presence of 35 genes associated with virulence was evaluated. Out of 682 flies captured, 42 yielded ESBL-producing E. coli. Of these isolates, 23 contained bla CTX-M-1 , 18 contained bla CTX-M-14 , and 1 contained bla CTX-M-9 . ESBL genes were associated mainly with the presence of the IncI1 and IncFIB replicons. Additionally, all the strains were multiresistant, and five of them also harbored qnrS. Identical PFGE profiles were found for E. coli isolates obtained from flies at different sampling times, indicating a persistence of the same clones in the farm environment over months. According to their virulence genes, 81% of the isolates were considered avian-pathogenic E. coli (APEC) and 29% were considered extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC). The entrance of flies into broiler houses constitutes a considerable risk for colonization of broilers with multidrug-resistant E. coli. ESBLs in flies reflect the contamination status of the farm environment. Additionally, this study demonstrates the potential contribution of flies to the dissemination of virulence and resistance genes into different ecological niches.

Carrier flies of multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli as potential dissemination agent in dairy farm environment

“…Previous studies have discussed the role of flies as vectors of antimicrobial resistance bacteria (Blaak et al, 2014;Davari et al, 2010;Literak et al, 2009;Liu et al, 2013;Macovei and Zurek, 2006;Marshall et al, 1990;Rahuma et al, 2005;Rybaříková et al, 2010;Schaumburg et al, 2016;Solà-Ginés et al, 2015;Usui et al, 2015Usui et al, , 2013Von Salviati et al, 2015;Wang, 2013;Wang et al, 2017;Zurek and Ghosh, 2014). In Brazil, Almeida et al (2014) isolated E. coli, Salmonella spp.…”

“…After detecting E. coli clones from flies and calf feces with the same antimicrobial resistance profile, Usui et al (2015Usui et al ( , 2013 suggested that flies can disseminate antimicrobial resistance genes not only within farm but also between farms. Similarly, Solà-Ginés et al (2015) found the same Extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing E. coli clone isolated from flies within two broiler farms and suggested it may have happened because flies can travel long distances.…”

Lalat: Vektor yang Terabaikan Program?

“…Penelitian skala laboratorium di Iran membuktikan bahwa lalat Musca domestica memiliki peran penting dalam menyebarluaskan beberapa bakteri yang resisten terhadap antibotik. 26,63,64 Risiko menjadi lebih besar saat bakteri yang berada dalam kotoran dan dengan mudah tertelan dan masuk dalam tubuh lalat, lalat dapat meningkatkan transmisi resistensi antimikroba pada bakteri yang berkembang biak dalam saluran pencernaan, bagian mulut dan muntahan lalat. 8…”

Prevalence of antimicrobial resistance genes and integrons in commensal Gram-negative bacteria in a college community

“…Previous studies have shown food and the environment to contain ARG found in pathogenic bacteria (12, 23, 24). Environmental reservoirs of ARG-containing pathogens include lakes and rivers (18), wastewater treatment plants (25, 26), houseflies (27), livestock (12, 28, 29), soil and manure (29, 30), retail meat products (12, 31–33), companion animals (5, 6, 8, 28, 34), alfalfa sprouts (35), retail spinach (15), and other vegetables (36). The findings from these studies indicate that human health may be impacted by uptake of pathogens from the environment, many of which harbor ARG on mobile genetic elements.…”