Virulence potential of commensal multidrug resistant Escherichia coli isolated from poultry in Brazil

Abstract

There is an increasing number of reports worldwide about multidrug resistance (MDR) with potential of ExPEC in commensal E. coli. The present study evaluated the potential ExPEC in selected 44 MDR E.coli isolates, collected from livestock. ExPEC isolates were characterized by analysis of five main groups of virulence genes (papA and/or papC, sfa and/or foc, afa and/or dra, kpsMT II and iutA). We also determined the increased virulence potential analyzing other 29 virulence genes, the epidemiology of these isolates. Additionally, fifteen ExPEC isolates were selected to evaluate the adhesion and invasion capacity in vitro using Caco-2 cells. Based on the analysis of the five main virulence genes, 72.7% (32/44) strains were classified as ExPEC. The presence of each gene was iutA 88.6%, KpsMT II 70.4%, papC 25%, sfa/focDE 4.5%; afa/draBC genes were not found. All E. coli isolates were classified into: phylogenetic groups A (34%), B1 (10%), B2 (20%), and D (36%). MLST revealed 7 different STs among isolates, including a new ST identified (ST5687). The in vitro assay in Caco-2 cells showed that all isolates were capable to adhere or invade the epithelial cells, although this occurred at variable levels. The ExPEC isolate LO122 reached similar levels of invasion to the positive control strain Salmonella Typhimurium LT2. These results showed that the apparently commensal microbiota of poultry harbors MDR ExPEC isolates with high adhesion and invasion potential.

Characterization of CMY-2-type beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli isolated from chicken carcasses and human infection in a city of South Brazil

“…1), all of which were reported both in birds and humans, with the exception of ST3177, which has never been reported in birds. All the STs have been reported in Brazil, with the exception of ST448 and ST3177 [4, 13, 33–42]. STs 10, 57, 93 and 117 were reported in avian pathogenic E. coli (APEC) and extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC) in Brazil, showing that these strains may be related to strains pathogenic, for both poultry and humans [38].…”

“…The spread of antimicrobial resistance genes in poultry may be associated with the prophylactic use of cephalosporins injected into eggs to control E. coli omphalitis in broiler chickens [46]. In Brazil, third-generation cephalosporins have been associated with in ovo vaccination on the 18th day of incubation because the vaccine can also select antimicrobial resistant bacteria in poultry [33].…”

Inactivation of Multi-Drug Resistant Non-Typhoidal Salmonella and Wild-Type Escherichia coli STEC Using Organic Acids: A Potential Alternative to the Food Industry

“…A hypothesis is related to the mechanism of the acid tolerance response (ATR) that remains more active in wild strains subjected to abiotic stresses than in clinical strains stored for long periods [ 3 ]. The extensive presence of bacteria resistant to several drugs has been related to Brazilian meat and poultry production [ 5 , 50 , 51 ]. However, the lack of research associated with the use of sanitizers against bacteria with multi-drug resistance in Brazil and the possible exposure to antimicrobials in the food chain emphasizes the need to use wild strains in studies for the inactivation of pathogens.…”

Novel biotechnological approaches for monitoring and immunization against resistant to antibiotics Escherichia coli and other pathogenic bacteria

“…E. coli is considered a major source of the spread of antimicrobial resistance to other bacteria, which are mainly mediated by exchange of genes, integrons, transposons, and plasmids [ 47 , 48 ]. Avian E. coli strains are clearly differentiated with respect to phylogenetic relationships, common virulence factors and pathogenicity to animals and humans [ 50 – 52 ]. Single isolates within species from different geographical areas vary profoundly in terms of virulence factor traits and antibiotic-resistance genes.…”

“…More importantly, most the time these pathogenic strains are carrying plasmids that disseminate resistance to ampicillin, tetracycline, gentamicin, neomycin, sulfa trimethoprim, enrofloxacin and norfloxacin [ 5 , 58 ]. ExPEC-commensal E. coli strains harboring multidrug resistance (MDR) have also been isolated in different poultry farms [ 52 ]. Therefore, continuous monitoring of bacterial resistance genes among E. coli ExPEC and APEC isolates from chicken meat products will aid the development of surveillance programs and new scientific strategies for food safety.…”