Genomic characterisation of a multidrug-resistant TEM-52b extended-spectrum ß-lactamase-positive Escherichia coli ST219 isolated from a cat in France.

OBJECTIVES: TEM-52 extended-spectrum ß-lactamases (ESBLs) have been detected in members of the Enterobacteriaceae isolated from human and non-human reservoirs, mainly in European countries. Here we report the first draft genome of a multidrug-resistant TEM-52b-positive Escherichia coli isolated from a companion animal in France. METHODS: Whole genomic DNA from E. coli 39590 was extracted and was sequenced using an Illumina NextSeq platform. De novo genome assembly was performed using Velvet v.1.2.10 and the draft genome was annotated using the NCBI Prokaryotic Genome Annotation Pipeline v.3.2. Genomic analyses were performed through bioinformatics tools from the Center for Genomic Epidemiology. RESULTS: The genome size was calculated as 5362108bp, with 5268 protein-coding sequences and a GC content of 50.5%. E. coli strain 39590 belonged to ST219, serotype O4:H34 and phylogroup E. The antimicrobial resistome consisted of genes encoding resistance to ß-lactams (blaTEM-52b), aminoglycosides [aph(3″)-Ib, aph(6)-Id, aadA2, aadA24], phenicols (catA1), sulfonamides (sul1, sul2), trimethoprim (dfrA1, dfrA14), lincosamides (lnuG) and tetracycline (tetA) as well as mutations in gyrA (Ser83Leu, Asp87Asn) and parC (Ser80Ile) conferring resistance to quinolones. Virulome analysis revealed iss, astA and eilA genes, and IncQ1, IncX4, IncX1, IncFIB and IncFIC plasmid incompatibility groups were identified. CONCLUSION: This draft genome can be used as a reference sequence for comparative studies using human and non-human E. coli isolates to identify genetic events that have contributed to pathogenicity and adaptation of TEM-52-producing E. coli clones at the human-animal interface as well as to elucidate dynamics of the spread of blaTEM-52 ESBL genes.

Prevalence and molecular features of ESBL/pAmpC-producing Enterobacteriaceae in healthy and diseased companion animals in Brazil.

Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)- and plasmid-mediated AmpC (pAmpC)-carrying Enterobacteriaceae have widely disseminated in human, animal and environmental reservoirs. Pets have been recognized as a source of ESBL/pAmpC worldwide, and are possibly also a source of human contamination. The aim of this study was to document to what extent cats and dogs may act as a driving force in the spread of ESBLs and pAmpCs in Brazil. A total of 113 healthy stray cats and dogs and 74 sick pets were sampled, and extended-spectrum cephalosporin-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (ESC-R) were detected in 28/113 (24.8%) and 8/74 (10.8%) tested animals, respectively. Different Enterobacteriaceae isolates (mostly E. coli), a large number of E. coli clones (with ST90, ST457, ST973 and ST2541 being predominant), and several ESBL/pAmpC genes and plasmids were characterized, highlighting the ability of stray and pet cats and dogs to further spread a wide range of ESC-resistance determinants. The ESBL phenotype was due to the blaCTX-M-2 and blaCTX-M-8 genes, as found in human epidemiology in Brazil, but blaCTX-M-9 and blaCTX-M-15 were also identified. The pAmpC phenotype was systematically due to the presence of the blaCMY-2 gene, mostly carried by IncI1 ST12 plasmids. Our results showed that pets can be considered a significant reservoir of multidrug-resistant bacteria in Brazil. This is especially true for healthy stray dogs that displayed the highest prevalence (24.8%) of ESBLs/pAmpC resistance determinants, which can then be further spread both to the environment and to other animals or humans by contact.