Plasmid‐mediated resistance to cephalosporins and quinolones in Escherichia coli from American crows in the USA

Abstract

American crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) faeces were tested for Escherichia coli with plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR), extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL) and AmpC beta-lactamases. A total of 590 faecal samples were collected at four roosting sites in the USA and cultivated on selective media. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) were performed to assess clonality. Transferability of resistance genes was studied using conjugation and transformation bioassays. In total, 78 (13%, n = 590) cefotaxime-resistant isolates were obtained, of which 66 and 12 displayed AmpC and ESBL phenotypes, respectively. Fifty-four AmpC-producing isolates carried bla . Isolates producing ESBLs contained genes bla (5 isolates), bla (4), bla (2) and bla (1). Ninety isolates (15%, n = 590) with reduced susceptibility to ciprofloxacin were obtained, among which 14 harboured PMQR genes aac(6')-Ib-cr (4 isolates), qnrB19 (3), qnrS1 (2), qnrA1 (2), qnrB2 (1), qnrB6 (1) and qnrD3 (1). High genetic diversity was revealed by PFGE and MLST. Epidemiologically important E. coli clones (e.g., ST131, ST405) were identified. Plasmids carrying bla were assigned predominantly to IncA/C (8 plasmids), IncI1/ST23 (5) and IncI1/ST12 (3). The study demonstrates a widespread occurrence of E. coli with ESBL, AmpC and PMQR genes associated with clinically important multidrug-resistant clones and epidemic plasmids, in American crows.

Antibiotic Resistance of E. coli Isolated From a Constructed Wetland Dominated by a Crow Roost, With Emphasis on ESBL and AmpC Containing E. coli

“…E. coli , which lives as a harmless commensal in the gut of all animal and birds, has proved to be not only an indicator of fecal coliform but also of antibiotic resistance present in the environment (van Den Bogaard et al, 2000; Dolejská et al, 2009; Guenther et al, 2011; Jamborova et al, 2015, 2018). From the United States, only one study investigating antibiotic resistance in E. coli in crows has been reported (Jamborova et al, 2017). In this study, which was a survey from four different states, 13% ( n = 590) of E. coli from American crows ( Corvus brachyrhyncos ) possessed AmpC and ESBL phenotypes, while 15% ( n = 590) were resistant to Ciprofloxacin (Jamborova et al, 2017).…”

“…From the United States, only one study investigating antibiotic resistance in E. coli in crows has been reported (Jamborova et al, 2017). In this study, which was a survey from four different states, 13% ( n = 590) of E. coli from American crows ( Corvus brachyrhyncos ) possessed AmpC and ESBL phenotypes, while 15% ( n = 590) were resistant to Ciprofloxacin (Jamborova et al, 2017). Two other studies reported on vancomycin resistant enterococci shed by crows in United States (Oravcova et al, 2014; Roberts et al, 2016).…”

“…Extended Spectrum beta lactamase (ESBL) and AmpC beta lactamase containing E. coli were additionally targeted because the presence of these genes continue to hinder the efficacy of beta lactams (Pitout et al, 2007). The spread of ESBL resistance by crows has been documented in other parts of the United States, but not in Washington State (Jamborova et al, 2017). Multi Locus Sequence Typing (MLST) and phylogenetic characterization of the isolates was performed in order to have an idea of the source and pathogenicity of the isolates.…”

Where do winter crows go? Characterizing partial migration of American Crows with satellite telemetry, stable isotopes, and molecular markers

“…In winter, crows aggregate in large nocturnal roosts (sometimes .10,000 birds; Hinton et al 2015), often in areas of high human density and activity (Gorenzel and Salmon 1995, Hinton et al 2015. Crows are of particular concern with respect to disease transmission because they are common urban and suburban birds in North America (McGowan 2001) that can harbor numerous pathogens important to humans, domestic animals, and wildlife, including West Nile virus (Wheeler et al 2014, Hinton et al 2015, Campylobacter jejuni (Weis et al 2016, Taff and, and other pathogens (Miller et al 2010, Halová et al 2014, Freund et al 2016, Jamborova et al 2017, Townsend et al 2018.…”

Complete Genome Sequence of Escherichia coli MT102, a Plasmid-Free Recipient Resistant to Rifampin, Azide, and Streptomycin, Used in Conjugation Experiments

“…coli MT102 is resistant to sodium azide, rifampin, and streptomycin due to missense mutations in the secA (3), rpoB (4), and rpsL (5) genes, respectively. This strain has been used in several studies characterizing mobile genetic elements carrying antimicrobial genes (6–8) and studies requiring a plasmid-free host (9, 10). E.…”