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The overuse of antimicrobials in livestock has contributed to the emergence and selection of clinically relevant multidrug-resistant bacteria. In Brazil, there is no conclusive information on the occurrence of Escherichia coli producing extended-spectrum ß-lactamase (ESßL) in cattle breeding, which is an important sector of agribusiness in this country. Herein, we investigated the presence of ESßL-positive E. coli strains in dairy cattle from a commercial farm with routine practice of therapeutic cephalosporins. Ninety-five rectal swab samples were collected from healthy dairy calves and cows under treatment with ceftiofur. Samples were screened for the presence of ESßL producers, and positive isolates were identified by MALDI-TOF, with subsequent screening for genes encoding ESßL variants by PCR and sequencing. The presence of ESßL (CTX-M-15)-producing E. coli was confirmed in calves, and lactating and dry cows. Most ESßL strains with genetic homologies ≥ 90% were grouped into two major PFGE clusters, confirming the suscessful expansion of clonally related lineages in animals from different lactating cycles, on the same property. Four representatives CTX-M-15-positive E. coli strains had their genomes sequenced, belonging to the clonal complex (CC) 23 and sequence type (ST) 90. A phylogeographical landscape of ST90 was performed revealing a global One Health linkage. Our results highlight the intestinal microbiota of dairy cattle as a hotspot for the spread of critical priority ESßL-producing E. coli and demonstrate that ST90 is an international clone genomically adapted to human and animal hosts, which deserve additional investigation to determine its zoonotic potential and impact in food chain.
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The use, misuse, and overuse of antimicrobials is one of the main public health threats of the 21st century. We investigated the risk factor of the presence of extended-spectrum, cephalosporin-resistant Enterobacterales in feces of non-domestic and domestic birds and other domestic animals in Piauí State, northeast Brazil. We collected a total of 387 cloacal and rectal swab samples of free-living birds, domestic birds, and domestic mammals in five municipalities: Amarante, Água Branca, Lagoa Alegre, Parnaíba, and Teresina. A total of 59/387 (15.2%) of these samples harbored extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacterales. Using the MALDI-TOF technique, we identified fifty-seven samples as Escherichia coli and two samples as Klebsiella pneumoniae. Teresina and Parnaíba had the highest prevalence of animals with resistant bacteria (32.1% and 27.1%, respectively) and highest exposure risk factor (OR of 16.06 and 8.58, respectively, and p < 0.001 for all). Multidrug-resistant, ESBL-producing Enterobacterales were observed in 72.8% of the samples (43/59). For the free-living birds, the positive samples belonged to a great kiskadee (Pitangus sulphuratus) and a semipalmated sandpiper (Calidris pusilla) in migratory and resident species, respectively. For domestic animals, the swine samples showed the highest prevalence of antimicrobial resistance. The lack of access to veterinary care and information regarding antimicrobial therapy, along with the easy access to antimicrobials without medical prescription, favors the inadequate use of antimicrobials in Piauí.
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COVID-19 , SARS-CoV-2 , Resistencia betalactámica , beta-Lactamasas , Humanos , COVID-19/epidemiología , beta-Lactamasas/genética , beta-Lactamasas/metabolismo , SARS-CoV-2/genética , Resistencia betalactámica/genética , Enterobacteriaceae/genética , Enterobacteriaceae/efectos de los fármacos , Enterobacteriaceae/enzimología , Antibacterianos/farmacología , Antibacterianos/uso terapéutico , Infecciones por Enterobacteriaceae/tratamiento farmacológico , Infecciones por Enterobacteriaceae/epidemiología , Infecciones por Enterobacteriaceae/microbiología , Genómica , Pandemias , Genoma Bacteriano/genéticaRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Carbapenemase-producing Citrobacter freundii has been reported as a leading cause of healthcare-associated infections. Particularly, C. freundii belonging to the sequence type (ST) 18 is considered to be an emerging nosocomial clone. OBJECTIVES: To report the genomic background and phylogenomic analysis of a multidrug-resistant NDM-1-producing C. freundii ST18 (strain CF135931) isolated from an endangered green sea turtle affected by plastic pollution in Brazil. METHODS: Genomic DNA was extracted and sequenced using the Illumina NextSeq platform. De novo assembly was performed by CLC Workbench, and in silico analysis accomplished by bioinformatics tools. For phylogenomic analysis, publicly available C. freundii (txid:546) genome assemblies were retrieved from the NCBI database. RESULTS: The genome size was calculated at 5 290 351 bp, comprising 5263 total genes, 4 rRNAs, 77 tRNAs, 11ncRNAs, and 176 pseudogenes. The strain belonged to C. freundii ST18, whereas resistome analysis predicted genes encoding resistance to ß-lactams (blaNDM-1, blaOXA-1, blaCMY-117, and blaTEM-1C), aminoglycosides (aph(3'')-Ib, aadA16, aph(3')-VI, aac(6')-Ib-cr, and aph(6)-Id), quinolones (aac(6')-Ib-cr), macrolides (mph(A) and erm(B)), sulphonamides (sul1 and sul2), tetracyclines (tetA and tetD), and trimethoprim (dfrA27). The phylogenomic analysis revealed that CF135931 strain is closely related to international human-associated ST18 clones producing NDM-1. CONCLUSION: Genomic surveillance efforts are necessary for robust monitoring of the emergence of drug-resistant strains and WHO critical priority pathogens within a One Health framework. In this regard, this draft genome and associated data can improve understanding of dissemination dynamics of nosocomial clones of carbapenemase-producing C. freundii beyond hospital walls. In fact, the emergence of NDM-1-producing C. freundii of global ST18 in wildlife deserves considerable attention.
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Infección Hospitalaria , Tortugas , Animales , Humanos , Citrobacter freundii/genética , Antibacterianos/farmacología , Genómica , Proteínas RepresorasRESUMEN
Although considered one of the most pristine ecosystems, Antarctica has been largely influenced by human activities during the last 50 years, affecting its unique biodiversity. One of the major global threats to health is the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria that may be actively transferred to wildlife. We cultured and tested for antibiotic resistance in 137 cloacal and fresh fecal samples of several avian and marine mammal species from the Antarctic Peninsula, the most impacted area in Antarctica. Alarmingly, 80 % of the isolates showed antibiotic resistance, either phenotypically or genotypically. Most of the resistant bacteria, such as Enterobacteriaceae and Enterococcus species, are part of local gastrointestinal microbiota. Penguins and pinnipeds harbored a great diversity of antibiotic resistance and must be eligible as sentinels for future studies. These results show that antibiotic resistance has rapidly transferred to bacteria in Antarctic wildlife, which is a global matter of concern.
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Caniformia , Spheniscidae , Animales , Humanos , Animales Salvajes , Ecosistema , Regiones Antárticas , Farmacorresistencia Microbiana , BacteriasRESUMEN
Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is an opportunistic human pathogen associated with nosocomial and community-acquired infections. We have conducted a microbiological and genomic surveillance study of broad-spectrum cephalosporin- and carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacteria colonizing wild birds inhabiting the Brazilian Amazonia. Strikingly, two S. maltophilia strains (SM79 and SM115) were identified in Plain-throated antwren (Isleria hauxwelli) passerines affected by Amazonian fragmentation and degradation. Noteworthy, SM79 and SM115 strains belonged to new sequence types (STs) ST474 and ST473, respectively, displaying resistance to broad-spectrum ß-lactams, aminoglycosides and/or fluoroquinolones. In this regard, resistome analysis confirmed efflux pumps (smeABC, smeDEF, emrAB-tolC and macB), blaL1 and blaL2, aph(3')-IIc and aac(6')-Iak, and Smqnr resistance genes. Comparative phylogenomic analysis with publicly available S. maltophilia genomes clustered ST473 and ST474 with human strains, whereas the ST474 was also grouped with S. maltophilia strains isolated from water and poultry samples. In summary, we report two novel sequence types of S. maltophilia colonizing wild Amazonian birds. The presence of opportunistic multidrug-resistant pathogens in wild birds, from remotes areas, could represent an ecological problem since these animals could easily promote long-distance dispersal of medically important antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. Therefore, while our results could provide a baseline for future epidemiological genomic studies, considering the limited information regarding S. maltophilia circulating among wild animals, additional studies are necessary to evaluate the clinical impact and degree of pathogenicity of this human opportunistic pathogen in wild birds.
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Infecciones por Bacterias Gramnegativas , Stenotrophomonas maltophilia , Humanos , Animales , Stenotrophomonas maltophilia/genética , Brasil , Animales Salvajes , Pruebas de Sensibilidad Microbiana , Antibacterianos/farmacología , Infecciones por Bacterias Gramnegativas/veterinaria , Infecciones por Bacterias Gramnegativas/microbiologíaRESUMEN
Aminoglycoside antimicrobials remain valuable therapeutic options, but their effectiveness has been threatened by the production of bacterial 16S ribosomal RNA methyltransferases (16S-RMTases). In this study, we evaluated the genomic epidemiology of 16S-RMTase genes among Gram-negative bacteria circulating in the American continent. A total of 4877 16S-RMTase sequences were identified mainly in Enterobacterales and nonfermenting Gram-negative bacilli isolated from humans, animals, foods, and the environment during 1931-2023. Most of the sequences identified were found in the United States, Brazil, Canada, and Mexico, and the prevalence of 16S-RMTase genes have increased in the last five years (2018-2022). The three species most frequently carrying 16S-RMTase genes were Acinetobacter baummannii, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Escherichia coli. The armA gene was the most prevalent, but other 16S-RMTase genes (e.g., rmtB, rmtE, and rmtF) could be emerging backstage. More than 90% of 16S-RMTase sequences in the Americas were found in North American countries, and although the 16S-RMTase genes were less prevalent in Central and South American countries, these findings may be underestimations due to limited genomic data. Therefore, whole-genome sequence-based studies focusing on aminoglycoside resistance using a One Health approach in low- and middle-income countries should be encouraged.
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Wild birds have emerged as novel reservoirs and potential spreaders of antibiotic-resistant priority pathogens, being proposed as sentinels of anthropogenic activities related to the use of antimicrobial compounds. The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence and genomic features of extended-spectrum ß-lactamase (ESBL)-producing bacteria in wild birds in South America. In this regard, we have identified two ESBL (CTX-M-55 and CTX-M-65)-positive Escherichia coli (UNB7 and GP188 strains) colonizing Creamy-bellied Thrush (Turdus amaurochalinus) and Variable Hawk (Geranoaetus polyosoma) inhabiting synanthropic and wildlife environments from Brazil and Chile, respectively. Whole-genome sequence (WGS) analysis revealed that E. coli UNB7 and GP188 belonged to the globally disseminated clone ST602, carrying a wide resistome against antibiotics (ß-lactams), heavy metals (arsenic, copper, mercury), disinfectants (quaternary ammonium compounds), and pesticides (glyphosate). Additionally, E. coli UNB7 and GP188 strains harbored virulence genes encoding hemolysin E, type II and III secretion systems, increased serum survival, adhesins and siderophores. SNP-based phylogenomic analysis, using an international genome database, revealed genomic relatedness (19-363 SNP differences) of GP188 with livestock and poultry strains, and genomic relatedness (61-318 differences) of UNB7 with environmental, human and livestock strains (Table S1), whereas phylogeographical analysis confirmed successful expansion of ST602 as a global clone of One Health concern. In summary, our results support that ESBL-producing E. coli ST602 harboring a wide resistome and virulome have begun colonizing wild birds in South America, highlighting a potential new reservoir of critical priority pathogens.
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The spread of carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae beyond hospital settings is a global critical issue within a public health and One Health perspective. Another worrisome concern is the convergence of virulence and resistance in healthcare-associated lineages of K. pneumoniae leading to unfavorable clinical outcomes. During a surveillance study of WHO critical priority pathogens circulating in an impacted urban river in São Paulo, Brazil, we isolate two hypermucoviscous and multidrug-resistant K. pneumoniae strains (PINH-4250 and PINH-4900) from two different locations near to medical centers. Genomic investigation revealed that both strains belonged to the global high-risk sequence type (ST) ST11, carrying the blaKPC-2 carbapenemase gene, besides other medically important antimicrobial resistance determinants. A broad virulome was predicted and associated with hypervirulent behavior in the Galleria mellonella infection model. Comparative phylogenomic analysis of PINH-4250 and PINH-4900 along to an international collection of publicly available genomes of K. pneumoniae ST11 revealed that both environmental strains were closely related to hospital-associated K. pneumoniae strains recovered from clinical samples between 2006 and 2018, in São Paulo city. Our findings support that healthcare-associated KPC-2-positive K. pneumoniae of ST11 clone has successfully expanded beyond hospital settings. In summary, aquatic environments can become potential sources of international clones of K. pneumoniae displaying carbapenem resistance and hypervirulent behaviors, which is a critical issue within a One Health perspective.
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Olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea) turtles migrate across tropical regions of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. Worryingly, olive ridley populations have been declining substantially and is now considered a threatened species. In this regard, habitat degradation, anthropogenic pollution, and infectious diseases have been the most notorious threats for this species. We isolated a metallo-ß-lactamase (NDM-1)-producing Citrobacter portucalensis from the blood sample of an infected migratory olive ridley turtle found stranded sick in the coast of Brazil. Genomic analysis of C. portucalensis confirmed a novel sequence type (ST), named ST264, and a wide resistome to broad-spectrum antibiotics. The production of NDM-1 by the strain contributed to treatment failure and death of the animal. Phylogenomic relationship with environmental and human strains from African, European and Asian countries confirmed that critical priority clones of C. portucalensis are spreading beyond hospital settings, representing an emerging ecological threat to marine ecosystems.
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Extended spectrum ß-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacterales has spread rapidly around the world, reaching remote areas. In this regard, wild birds that acquire ESBL producers from anthropogenically impacted areas can become reservoirs, contributing to further dissemination of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria categorized as critical priority pathogens to remote environments, during migration seasons. We have conducted a microbiological and genomic investigation on the occurrence and features of ESBL-producing Enterobacterales in wild birds from the remote Acuy Island, in the Gulf of Corcovado, at Chilean Patagonia. Strikingly, five ESBL-producing Escherichia coli were isolated from migratory and resident gulls. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) analysis revealed the presence of two E. coli clones belonging to international sequence types (STs) ST295 and ST388, producing CTX-M-55 and CTX-M-1 ESBLs, respectively. Moreover, E. coli carried a wide resistome and virulome associated with human and animal infections. Phylogenomic analysis of global and publicly genomes of E. coli ST388 (n = 51) and ST295 (n = 85) clustered gulls isolates along to E. coli strains isolated from the environment, companion animal and livestock in the United States of America, within or close to the migratory route of Franklin's gull, suggesting a possible trans hemispheric movement of international clones of WHO critical priority ESBL producing pathogens.
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Charadriiformes , Infecciones por Escherichia coli , Proteínas de Escherichia coli , Animales , Humanos , Animales Salvajes , Antibacterianos , beta-Lactamasas/genética , Charadriiformes/microbiología , Escherichia coli/genética , Infecciones por Escherichia coli/epidemiología , Proteínas de Escherichia coli/genética , GenómicaRESUMEN
Antimicrobial resistance is an ancient natural phenomenon increasingly pressured by anthropogenic activities. Escherichia coli has been used as markers of environmental contamination and human-related activity. Seabirds may be bioindicators of clinically relevant bacterial pathogens and their antimicrobial resistance genes, including extended-spectrum-beta-lactamase (ESBL) and/or plasmid-encoded AmpC (pAmpC), in anthropized and remote areas. We evaluated cloacal swabs of 20 wild magnificent frigatebirds (Fregata magnificens) of the Alcatrazes Archipelago, the biggest breeding colony of magnificent frigatebirds in the southern Atlantic and a natural protected area with no history of human occupation, located in the anthropized southeastern Brazilian coast. We characterized a highly virulent multidrug-resistant ST648 (O153:H9) pandemic clone, harboring bla CTX-M-2, bla CMY-2, qnrB, tetB, sul1, sul2, aadA1, aac(3)-VIa and mdfA, and virulence genes characteristic of avian pathogenic (APEC) (hlyF, iroN, iss, iutA, and ompT) and other extraintestinal E. coli (ExPEC) (chuA, kpsMII, and papC). To our knowledge, this is the first report of ST648 E. coli co-producing ESBL and pAmpC in wild birds inhabiting insular environments. We suggest this potentially zoonotic and pathogenic lineage was likely acquired through indirect anthropogenic contamination of the marine environment, ingestion of contaminated seafood, or by intra and/or interspecific contact. Our findings reinforce the role of wild birds as anthropization sentinels in insular environments and the importance of wildlife surveillance studies on pathogens of critical priority classified by the World Health Organization.
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Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales are rapidly spreading and adapting to different environments beyond hospital settings. During COVID-19 lockdown, a carbapenem-resistant NDM-1-positive Escherichia coli isolate (BA01 strain) was recovered from a pygmy sperm whale (Kogia breviceps), which was found stranded on the southern coast of Brazil. BA01 strain belonged to the global sequence type (ST) 162 and carried the bla NDM-1, besides other medically important antimicrobial resistance genes. Additionally, genes associated with resistance to heavy metals, biocides, and glyphosate were also detected. Halophilic behavior (tolerance to > 10% NaCl) of BA01 strain was confirmed by tolerance tests of NaCl minimal inhibitory concentration, whereas halotolerance associated genes katE and nhaA, which encodes for catalase and Na+/H+ antiporter cytoplasmic membrane, respectively, were in silico confirmed. Phylogenomics clustered BA01 with poultry- and human-associated ST162 lineages circulating in European and Asian countries. Important virulence genes, including the astA (a gene encoding an enterotoxin associated with human and animal infections) were detected, whereas in vivo experiments using the Galleria mellonella infection model confirmed the virulent behavior of the BA01 strain. WHO critical priority carbapenemase-producing pathogens in coastal water are an emerging threat that deserves the urgent need to assess the role of the aquatic environment in its global epidemiology.
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Antimicrobial resistance is a critical issue that is no longer restricted to hospital settings but also represents a growing problem involving intensive animal production systems. In this study, we performed a microbiological and molecular investigation of priority pathogens carrying transferable resistance genes to critical antimicrobials in 1-day-old chickens imported from Brazil to Uruguay. Bacterial identification was performed by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry, and antibiotic susceptibility was determined by Sensititre. Antimicrobial resistance genes were sought by PCR, and clonality was assessed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Four multidrug-resistant (MDR) representative strains were sequenced by an Illumina and/or Oxford Nanopore Technologies device. Twenty-eight MDR isolates were identified as Escherichia coli (n = 14), Enterobacter cloacae (n = 11), or Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 3). While resistance to oxyiminocephalosporins was due to blaCTX-M-2, blaCTX-M-8, blaCTX-M-15, blaCTX-M-55, and blaCMY-2, plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance was associated with the qnrB19, qnrE1, and qnrB2 genes. Finally, resistance to aminoglycosides and fosfomycin was due to the presence of 16S rRNA methyltransferase rmtG and fosA-type genes, respectively. Short- and long-read genome sequencing of E. cloacae strain ODC_Eclo3 revealed the presence of IncQ/rmtG (pUR-EC3.1; 7,400 bp), IncHI2A/mcr-9.1/blaCTX-M-2 (pUR-EC3.2, ST16 [pMLST; 408,436 bp), and IncN2/qnrB19/aacC3/aph(3â³)-Ib (pUR-EC3.3) resistance plasmids. Strikingly, the blaCTX-M-2 gene was carried by a novel Tn1696-like composite transposon designated Tn7337. In summary, we report that imported 1-day-old chicks can act as Trojan horses for the hidden spread of WHO critical-priority MDR pathogens harboring mcr-9, rmtG, and extended-spectrum ß-lactamase genes in poultry farms, which is a critical issue from a One Health perspective. IMPORTANCE Antimicrobial resistance is considered a significant problem for global health, including within the concept of One Health; therefore, the food chain connects human health and animal health directly. In this work, we searched for microorganisms resistant to antibiotics considered critical for human health in intestinal microbiota of 1-day-old baby chicks imported to Uruguay from Brazil. We describe genes for resistance to antibiotics whose use the WHO has indicated to "watch" or "reserve" (AWaRe classification), such as rmtG and mcr9.1, which confer resistance to all the aminoglycosides and colistin, respectively, among other genes, and their presence in new mobile genetic elements that favor its dissemination. The sustained entry of these microorganisms evades the sanitary measures implemented by the countries and production establishments to reduce the selection of resistant microorganisms. These silently imported resistant microorganisms could explain a considerable part of the antimicrobial resistance problems found in the production stages of the system.
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Pollos , Proteínas de Escherichia coli , Animales , Antibacterianos/farmacología , Pollos/genética , Colistina , Farmacorresistencia Bacteriana Múltiple/genética , Proteínas de Escherichia coli/genética , Pruebas de Sensibilidad Microbiana , Plásmidos/genética , ARN Ribosómico 16S , beta-Lactamasas/genéticaRESUMEN
Antimicrobial resistance is among the most serious public health threats of the 21st century, with great impact in terms of One Health. Among antimicrobial resistant bacteria (ARB), extended-spectrum ß-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli (ESBL-EC) represent major challenges to human healthcare. Wild birds have been commonly used as environmental bioindicators of ESBL-EC. Remote locations represent a unique opportunity to evaluate the occurrence, dissemination and epidemiology of ARB in the environment. Herein we surveyed ESBL-EC in 204 cloacal swabs from six nonsynanthropic seabird species at the pristine Rocas Atoll, Brazil. We identified ESBL-EC isolates in 2.4% (5/204) of the tested seabirds, all in magnificent frigatebirds (Fregata magnificens). We isolated strains of O25b-ST131-fimH22 harboring gene blaCTX-M-8 (3 clones), ST117 harboring gene blaSHV-12, and a novel ST11350 (clonal complex 349) harboring genes blaCTX-M-55 and fosA3. All the isolates presented Extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC) virulence profiles. We suggest that magnificent frigatebirds may act as "flying bridges", transporting ESBL-EC and ARGs from an anthropogenically-impacted archipelago geographically close to our pristine and remote study site. The characteristics of our isolates suggest zoonotic potential and, despite the apparent good health of all the evaluated birds, may represent a hypothetical potential threat to the avian population using the atoll. To our knowledge, this is the first description of: (1) the pandemic and public health relevant ST131-O25b harboring blaCTX-M-8 worldwide; (2) ST131-fimH22 in wild birds; and (3); fosA3 in wildlife. Our findings expand the current epidemiological knowledge regarding host and geographical distribution of ESBL-EC and ARGs in wild birds, and emphasize the disseminating characteristics and adaptability of ST131 and ST117 strains within the human-animal-interface. Herein we discuss the involvement of nonsynanthropic wild birds in the epidemiology of antimicrobial resistance and their potential as sentinels of ESBL E. coli in insular environments.
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Escherichia coli , beta-Lactamasas , Antagonistas de Receptores de Angiotensina , Inhibidores de la Enzima Convertidora de Angiotensina , Animales , Antibacterianos , Brasil , Células Clonales , Humanos , Pruebas de Sensibilidad Microbiana , TetrahidronaftalenosRESUMEN
The dissemination of antibiotic-resistant priority pathogens beyond hospital settings is both a public health and an environmental problem. In this regard, high-risk clones exhibiting a multidrug-resistant (MDR) or extensively drug-resistant (XDR) phenotype have shown rapid adaptation at the human-animal-environment interface. In this study, we report genomic data and the virulence potential of the carbapenemase, São Paulo metallo-ß-lactamase (SPM-1)-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains (Pa19 and Pa151) isolated from polluted urban rivers, in Brazil. Bioinformatic analysis revealed a wide resistome to clinically relevant antibiotics (carbapenems, aminoglycosides, fosfomycin, sulfonamides, phenicols, and fluoroquinolones), biocides (quaternary ammonium compounds) and heavy metals (copper), whereas the presence of exotoxin A, alginate, quorum sensing, types II, III, and IV secretion systems, colicin, and pyocin encoding virulence genes was associated with a highly virulent behavior in the Galleria mellonella infection model. These results confirm the spread of healthcare-associated critical-priority P. aeruginosa belonging to the MDR sequence type 277 (ST277) clone beyond the hospital, highlighting that the presence of these pathogens in environmental water samples can have clinical implications for humans and other animals.
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Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) are zoonotic pathogens responsible for causing food-borne diseases in humans. While South America has the highest incidence of human STEC infections, information about the genomic characteristics of the circulating strains is scarce. The aim of this study was to analyze genomic data of STEC strains isolated in South America from cattle, beef, and humans; predicting the antibiotic resistome, serotypes, sequence types (STs), clonal complexes (CCs) and phylogenomic backgrounds. A total of 130 whole genome sequences of STEC strains were analyzed, where 39.2% were isolated from cattle, 36.9% from beef, and 23.8% from humans. The ST11 was the most predicted (20.8%) and included O-:H7 (10.8%) and O157:H7 (10%) serotypes. The successful expansion of non-O157 clones such as ST16/CC29-O111:H8 and ST21/CC29-O26:H11 is highlighted, suggesting multilateral trade and travel. Virulome analyses showed that the predominant stx subtype was stx2a (54.6%); most strains carried ehaA (96.2%), iha (91.5%) and lpfA (77.7%) genes. We present genomic data that can be used to support the surveillance of STEC strains circulating at the livestock-food-human interface in South America, in order to control the spread of critical clones "from farm to table".