Genome Analysis of Multidrug-Resistant Escherichia coli Isolated from Poultry in Nigeria.

Escherichia coli is one of the most common commensal bacteria of the gastrointestinal tract of humans and warm-blooded animals. Contaminated poultry can lead to disease outbreaks in consumers causing massive economic losses in the poultry industry. Additionally, commensal E. coli can harbor antibiotic resistance genes that can be transferred to other bacteria, including pathogens, in a colonized human host. In a previous study on antimicrobial resistance of E. coli from food animals from Nigeria, multidrug-resistant E. coli were detected. Three of those isolates were selected for further study using whole-genome sequencing due to the extensive drug resistance exhibited. All of the isolates carried the extended-spectrum ß-lactamase (ESBL) genes, blaCTX-M15 and blaTEM-1, whereas one isolate harbored an additional ESBL, blaOXA-1. All of the tetracycline-resistant isolates carried tet(A). The genes aac3-IIa and aacA4, conferring resistance to aminoglycosides, were identified in an E. coli isolate resistant to gentamicin and tobramycin. In two E. coli isolates, dfrA14, qnrS1, and sulII, were detected conferring resistance to trimethoprim, fluoroquinolones, and sulfonamides, respectively. The third isolate carried dfrA17, no fluoroquinolone resistance gene, an additional sulI gene, and a chloramphenicol resistance gene, catB3. Mutations in candidate genes conferring resistance to fosfomycin and fluoroquinolones were also detected. Several efflux systems were detected in all the E. coli isolates and virulence-associated genes related to serum resistance, motility, and adhesion. E. coli and non-E. coli origin prophages were also identified in the isolates. The results underline the higher resolution power of whole-genome sequencing for investigation of antimicrobial resistance, virulence, and phage in E. coli.

Draft Genomic Sequences of Three Escherichia coli Sequence Type 131 Isolates (H45, H43ii, and H43iii) from Patients in Lagos, Nigeria.

Escherichia coli sequence type 131 (ST131) has recently emerged as a leading multidrug-resistant pathogen that causes urinary tract and bloodstream infections in humans. Here, we report the draft genomic sequences of three E. coli ST131 isolates, H45, H43ii, and H43iii, from urine samples of patients in Lagos, Nigeria.

Plasmid Replicons and ß-Lactamase-Encoding Genes of Multidrug-Resistant Escherichia coli Isolated from Humans and Food Animals in Lagos, Southwest Nigeria.

As resistance to the ß-lactam class of antibiotics has become a worldwide problem, multidrug-resistant (MDR) human (n = 243) and food animal (n = 211) isolates from Lagos, Nigeria were further tested to characterize ß-lactamase-encoding genes and plasmid replicons. Four ß-lactamase-encoding genes (blaCMY, blaCTX-M, blaOXA, and blaTEM) were detected using PCR-based replicon typing, 13 and 17 different replicons were identified using a subset of MDR E. coli from humans (n = 48) and animals (n = 96), respectively. Replicon types FIB and X2 were detected in equal numbers (2/48; 4.2% each) from human isolates, while type Y (16/96; 16.7%) was the most common type from animals. Only two replicon types, FIB and Y, were detected in both groups; all other types were confined to one group or the other, but not both. Using conjugation, replicon type Y, present in three donors, transferred in all three instances, whereas FIA transferred in 75% (3/4) of the matings. This study showed that ß-lactamase genes were prevalent in MDR E. coli from both humans and animals in Nigeria and also contained diverse plasmid replicons. As the replicon-associated genes were mobile, they are likely to continue disseminating among E. coli and facilitating transfer of associated ß-lactamase genes in this region.

Draft Genome Sequence Analysis of Multidrug-Resistant Escherichia coli Strains Isolated in 2013 from Humans and Chickens in Nigeria.

Here, we present the draft genome sequences of nine multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli strains isolated from humans (n = 6) and chicken carcasses (n = 3) from Lagos, Nigeria, in 2013. Multiple extended-spectrum ß-lactamase (ESBL) genes were identified in these isolates.

Prevalence and multidrug resistance of Escherichia coli from community-acquired infections in Lagos, Nigeria.

INTRODUCTION: The emergence of multidrug resistance (MDR; resistance to ≥ 2 more antimicrobials) in Escherichia coli is of concern due to complications encountered in treatment. METHODOLOGY: In this study, prevalence, antimicrobial resistance, and genetic characteristics of MDR community isolates of E. coli from Lagos, Nigeria were determined. Urine and stool samples were obtained from outpatients attending Lagos State hospitals and from animal handlers in abattoirs, poultries, and open markets, from December 2012 to July 2013. RESULTS: Approximately 50% of urine (200/394) and 88% of stool samples (120/136) were positive for E. coli. Based upon ß-lactamase production, a subset of those isolates was selected for further study. Of the 22 antimicrobials tested, E. coli exhibited resistance to all antimicrobials except amikacin and piperacillin/tazobactam. The highest levels of resistance were to tetracycline (182/247; 73.7%), trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (152/247; 61.5%), and ampicillin (147/247; 59.1%). Resistance to the cephalosporins ranged from 1.6%-15% including the third- and fourth-generation cephalosporins, cefpodoxime (20/247; 8.1%) and cefepime (4/247; 1.6%), respectively. MDR was observed in 69.6% (172/247) of the isolates. Forty-eight E. coli resistant to at least five antimicrobials were selected for further analysis using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis; seven distinct clusters were observed among the diverse patterns. Of the 48 MDR E. coli, 30 different sequence types (ST) were detected using multilocus sequence typing, including four ST131. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated circulating MDR E. coli in the Nigerian community. Monitoring of antimicrobial resistance in developing countries is necessary to optimize empiric treatment and the prudent use of antimicrobials.

Prevalence and Antimicrobial Resistance in Escherichia coli from Food Animals in Lagos, Nigeria.

Foodborne bacteria are often associated with human infections; these infections can become more complicated to treat if the bacteria are also resistant to antimicrobials. In this study, prevalence, antimicrobial resistance, and genetic relatedness of Escherichia coli among food producing animals from Lagos, Nigeria, was investigated. From December 2012 to June 2013, E. coli were isolated from fecal samples of healthy cattle, chicken, and swine. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing against 22 antimicrobials was performed using broth microdilution with the Sensititre™ system. Clonal types were determined by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). From the analysis, 211/238 (88.7%), 170/210 (81%), and 136/152 (89.5%) samples from cattle, chicken, and swine, respectively, were positive for E. coli. A subset of those isolates (n=211) selected based on ß-lactamase production was chosen for further study. Overall, E. coli exhibited the highest resistance to tetracycline (124/211; 58.8%), trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (84/211; 39.8%), and ampicillin (72/211; 34.1%). Approximately 40% of the isolates were pan-susceptible, and none of the isolates were resistant to amikacin, cefepime, ceftazidime, ertapenem, meropenem, or tigecycline. Among the resistant isolates, 28 different resistance patterns were observed; 26 of those were characterized as multi-drug resistant (MDR; resistance to ≥2 antimicrobials). One isolate was resistant to 13 different antimicrobials representing five different antimicrobial classes. Using PFGE, MDR E. coli were genetically diverse and overall did not group based on source; identical PFGE patterns were detected among isolates from different sources. These results suggest that isolates cannot be attributed to specific sources, and some may be present across all of the sources. Results from this study indicate that food-producing animals in Nigeria are a reservoir of MDR E. coli that may be transferred to humans via the food chain.