Prevalence and Genomic Investigation of Salmonella Isolates Associated with Watermelons and Their Environmental Reservoirs in Bejaia, Algeria.

This study was conducted in Bejaia, Algeria, to determine the presence of Salmonella in fresh watermelon (n = 105), soil (n = 23), and irrigation water samples (n = 17) collected from two different farms. After isolation, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, serotype determination, multilocus sequence typing, antimicrobial resistance genes detection, and whole genome sequencing were performed. Twenty watermelon samples (19%) were contaminated with Salmonella, but none were found in the soil or irrigation water. Among the 20 Salmonella isolates, 2 serovars were identified (Salmonella Liverpool and Salmonella Anatum), belonging to sequence types ST1959 and ST64, respectively. Ten Salmonella isolates showed significant resistance to nalidixic acid, ofloxacin, and ciprofloxacin but were susceptible to all other antibiotics. The coexistence of point mutations (parC:p.T57S) in Quinolone Resistance-Determining Regions and the qnrB19 gene may contribute to quinolone resistance. The study identified 164 virulence genes in the Salmonella isolates. Our study found Salmonella in fresh watermelon during the preharvest season in Bejaia, Algeria. Our study indicates a relatively high prevalence of Salmonella on watermelon samples before harvest. Although we cannot directly compare our results with previous studies, it is crucial to recognize that the absence of comprehensive comparative data underscores the need for further research and surveillance.

Phenotypic and genotypic quinolone resistance in Escherichia coli underlining GyrA83/87 mutations as a target to detect ciprofloxacin resistance.

BACKGROUND: Quinolone resistance (QR) is one component of the MDR emerging in Escherichia coli and is of particular concern given the widespread use of fluoroquinolones. OBJECTIVES: To characterize the QR phenotypes and genotypes in E. coli responsible for bloodstream infections and to propose molecular determinants that could be targeted to predict ciprofloxacin resistance. METHODS: E. coli isolates from blood cultures in three French hospitals were studied for quinolone MICs and characterization of genotypic QR determinants (QRg). RESULTS: Among 507 isolates tested for MICs, 148 (29.2%) were resistant to quinolones based on EUCAST breakpoints and 143 (28.2%) harboured at least one QRg. QRg were mainly mutations in the QRDR (138 isolates, 27.2%), with 55.8% of these isolates carrying at least three QRDR mutations. gyrA mutations predominated (92.8%) followed by parC (61.6%), parE (32.6%) and gyrB (1.4%) mutations. Only 4.7% of the isolates harboured a plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) gene: aac(6')-Ib-cr (60.0%) or qnr (qnrS, qnrB) (32.0%). For the first time in France, we reported the qepA4 allele of the plasmid-encoded efflux pump QepA. Only five isolates carried PMQR without a QRDR mutation. The positive predictive value (PPV) for ciprofloxacin resistance was 100% for any QRg and 99.2% for gyrA mutations specifically. CONCLUSIONS: QR observed in E. coli isolates involved in bloodstream infections is still mainly due to QRDR mutations, especially at codons GyrA83/87, which could be used as a molecular target to rapidly detect resistance.

Factors associated with carriage of carbapenem-non-susceptible Enterobacteriaceaein North-Eastern France and outcomes of infected patients.

Background: Carbapenems are frequently used as a last resort to treat infections caused by multidrug-resistant Gram-negative organisms, thus carbapenem-non-susceptible Enterobacteriaceae (CNSE) is an emerging health threat. Objectives: To assess risk factors and outcomes of CNSE carriage. Patients and methods: We conducted a matched case-control study in six hospitals in North-Eastern France. The controls were patients harbouring carbapenem-susceptible Enterobacteriaceae. Fifty-five cases and 110 controls were included. Results: Most of the CNSE isolates were Enterobacter cloacae and Klebsiella pneumoniae . Carbapenemase production was observed in 40% of isolates and they produced OXA-48 only. CNSE carriage was significantly associated with recent antibiotic use ( P = 0.014), particularly carbapenems ( P = 0.03) and fluoroquinolones ( P = 0.016). A multivariate analysis using conditional logistic regression showed that the presence of concomitant infection(s) (OR: 9.83; 95% CI 3.04-21.39, P = 0.0031), nosocomial infections (OR: 7.84; 95% CI 2.00-12.54, P = 0.0063) and a high age (OR: 1.07; 95% CI 1.01-1.06, P = 0.038) were independently associated with CNSE carriage. Moreover, patients infected with CNSE had worse outcomes: fewer resolved infections at 1 month ( P = 0.02), and they had a higher mortality rate ( P = 0.0004) and longer hospital stays ( P = 0.02). Conclusions: We identified three independent risk factors for CNSE carriage as well as worse outcomes in infected patients in North-Eastern France. This highlights the importance of early detection of CNSE and the need for antimicrobial therapy re-evaluation after bacteriological analysis has been performed.

Extended spectrum ß-lactamase and plasmid mediated quinolone resistance in Escherichia coli fecal isolates from healthy companion animals in Algeria.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the rate of fecal carriage of Escherichia coli strains producing Extended-spectrum ß-lactamases (ESBLs) and plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) isolated from healthy pets (dogs and cats) in Algeria. Fecal samples from 171 healthy pets (102 dogs and 69 cats) in one veterinary practice and private owners were included. After isolates identification, antibiotic susceptibility was determined by disk diffusion procedure. ESBL were detected by combination disk tests. PCR and sequencing were used to characterize genes encoding ESBLs and PMQR. Transfer of ESBL and PMQR genes was assessed by conjugation experiments. Phylogenetic groups of E. coli were determined by PCR. Of the 171 animals, 20 carried an ESBL producing E. coli giving a prevalence of ESBL fecal carriage of 11.7%. All isolates were susceptible to carbapenems, cefoxitin, piperacillin-tazobactam, amikacin and fosfomycine. For the rest of the tested ß-lactams, susceptibility rates ranged from 35% to 70% for cefepime and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid respectively. Concerning the non-beta-lactams antibiotics, the rates of susceptibility ranged between 5% to trimethoprim and 95% for chloramphenicol. The beta-lactamase genes identified in E. coli isolates were blaCTX-M-15, blaCTX-M-1, blaSHV-12 and blaTEM-1. The PMQR determinants aac(6')-Ib-cr, qnrS1 and qnrB5 genes were identified in 15 isolates. Transconjugants were obtained for two isolates. Phylogenetic analysis showed that E. coli isolates belong to commensal phylogroups of A and B1. We reported here for the first time in Algeria ESBL and PMQR-producing E. coli in healthy cats and dogs.

Discrimination between native and Tn6010-associated oqxAB in Klebsiella spp., Raoultella spp., and other Enterobacteriaceae by using a two-step strategy.

We developed a two-step PCR-based strategy to detect genes encoding OqxAB, allowing a specific assignment of Tn6010-associated oqxAB in Enterobacteriaceae. Chromosomal location in this setup was confirmed by hybridization with I-CeuI-restricted genomes. This approach led us to find that Klebsiella sp. and Raoultella sp. reference strains chromosomally carried oqxAB.

Microbiological diagnosis of severe diarrhea in kidney transplant recipients by use of multiplex PCR assays.

Diarrhea is a frequent complication after kidney transplantation, ascribed to adverse effects of the immunosuppressive therapy in case of negative microbiological examination of the stools. The aim of this study was to improve the microbiological diagnosis by implementing molecular tests. Fifty-four severe diarrhea events that occurred in 49 adult kidney transplant recipients from September 2010 to November 2011 were investigated. One or several enteric pathogens were detected in 13 (23%) stool samples using classical microbiological methods versus 39 (72%) for the seven commercially available multiplex PCR assays used retrospectively (P = 0.006). Interestingly, molecular diagnosis identified 15 multiple infections compared to none using classical techniques. The primary pathogens detected were enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) (n = 15; 38%), Campylobacter spp. (n = 15; 38%), and Norovirus (n = 14; 36%). Specificities for Campylobacter and Norovirus infection diagnosis were 75 and 100%, respectively, by comparison to reference methods. Based on molecular findings, a cyclosporine-mycophenolate mofetil combination was identified as a risk factor for developing Norovirus-induced diarrhea. Norovirus infections were also responsible for higher weight loss than all the other causes of diarrhea. In samples from asymptomatic immunocompromised and immunocompetent patients, EPEC but not Norovirus and Campylobacter infections were detected at a frequency similar to that observed in symptomatic kidney transplant recipients. In conclusion, molecular tools significantly improved the detection of single and multiple enteric infections by comparison to classical techniques and could quickly become the key element in the management of severe acute diarrhea in transplant recipients.

Detection of multiple viral and bacterial infections in acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a pilot prospective study.

Few studies have evaluated the contribution of multiple virus and bacterial infections in acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. This study estimated the burden of multiple viral and bacterial respiratory infections in moderate to very severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients that were prospectively followed-up during a 12-month pilot study. Clinical data were collected monthly and sputum was collected at the time of each acute exacerbation event. Classical culture techniques for bacteria and multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and microarray detection assays were performed to identify viral and atypical bacterial pathogens in the sputum. Overall, 51 patients were included and 45 acute exacerbation events were investigated clinically and microbiologically. Among the 45 acute exacerbation events, 44% had evidence of viral infection involving human rhinovirus (HRV) and metapneumovirus (hMPV) in 20% and 18%, respectively. Intracellular bacteria were not found in sputum by PCR. Common bacterial pathogens were identified in 42% of acute exacerbation patients, most frequently Branhamella catarrhalis, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae. Viral or virus and bacteria co-infections were detected in 27% of acute exacerbation events (n = 12) with HRV and hMPV involved in 92% of cases. Patients with co-infections did not present greater clinical severity scores at exacerbation and more recurrence of acute exacerbation events at 3 and 6 months than those with single infections (P > 0.4). These results suggest that HRV and hMPV may be contributors or cofactors of AECOPD. These findings indicate that viral or virus and bacterial co-infections do not impact significantly on the clinical severity of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and recurrence at 3 and 6 months.

An upgraded version of carbapenem inactivation method to detect Bacteroides fragilis carbapenemase.

An increase of carbapenemase-producing Bacteroides fragilis infections is observed. To detect such a resistance in B. fragilis, several tests exist that are expensive or show poor sensitivity and specificity. Therefore, we upgraded the Anaerobic Carbapenem Inactivation Method (Ana-CIM) to easily screen for carbapenemase-producing B. fragilis. The presence of carbapenemase cfiA gene was identified in 50 B. fragilis isolates by PCR. We modified the Ana-CIM by (1) increasing the bacterial inoculum, and (2) measuring the differences in diameter between the negative control and the testing disc. We correctly classified the cfiA-negative and positive isolates and could define a cut-off of positivity at 2 mm. Our modified Ana-CIM allowed to correctly discriminate the 31 cfiA-positive with meropenem MICs ranging from 1 to > 32 µg/mL. We anticipate that our modified Ana-CIM could be used in most clinical laboratories to easily screen for carbapenemase-producing B. fragilis, even at low levels.

Comprehensive Genomic Characterization of Antibiotic Resistance, Virulence, and Clonality in Salmonella Isolates from Wild Animals in Algeria.

This study investigated Salmonella spp. in wild animals in Algeria, focusing on their prevalence, serotypes, antibiotic resistance, and virulence profiles. From fecal samples collected between May 2021 and June 2022, 1.9% showed Salmonella shedding. The identified serotypes included S. Bredeney, S. Enteritidis, S. Altona, and S. Virchow. Except for S. Altona, all isolates were resistant to quinolones, with S. Bredeney strains, exhibiting multidrug resistance. Whole-genome sequencing revealed various resistance genes and mutations in gyrA or parC genes. Additionally, plasmids IncX1 and ColpVC were detected in several isolates. A comprehensive analysis identified 201 virulence genes. These findings contribute to understanding Salmonella in wild animal populations and their potential impact on public health.

Description of a 2,683-base-pair plasmid containing qnrD in two Providencia rettgeri isolates.

qnr genes are plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance genes mainly harbored on large conjugative multiresistant plasmids. The qnrD gene was recently observed in Salmonella enterica on a small nonconjugative plasmid (p2007057). We describe two strains of Providencia rettgeri harboring qnrD on nonconjugative plasmids. The plasmids were 99% identical, with 2,683 bp and four open reading frames, including qnrD, but exhibited only 53% identity with the plasmid found in S. enterica.

High-resolution melting analysis for rapid characterization of qnr alleles in clinical isolates and detection of two novel alleles, qnrB25 and qnrB42.

OBJECTIVES: qnr genes are plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance genes. Five qnr families have been described with several alleles (7 alleles of qnrA, 53 alleles of qnrB, 1 allele of qnrC, 1 allele of qnrD and 6 alleles of qnrS). Their detection requires a PCR specific for each qnr family and further sequencing for allele characterization. METHODS: High-resolution melt curve analysis (HRMA) was coupled to multiplex and simplex real-time PCR assays for detection and characterization of qnrA, qnrB and qnrS alleles. The protocol was set using 27 reference strains harbouring the most frequent alleles and was applied to 55 clinical isolates unknown for qnr positivity. RESULTS: Out of the 27 reference strains tested, 21 alleles showed distinct profiles using HRMA: 6 qnrA, 12 qnrB and 3 qnrS. For the qnrB alleles showing similar profiles, we gathered them into four groups that were easily distinguished. For the alleles that we could not test, in silico analysis showed that they would be identified using the HRMA protocol set. Among the clinical isolates, 28 qnr-positive isolates were detected and the qnr allele was characterized as 8 qnrA1, 4 qnrB1, 5 qnrB2, 3 qnrB4, 1 qnrB8, 1 qnrB5, 3 qnrS1 and 1 qnrS2, with concordant results with PCR sequencing. Two new qnrB alleles were detected and distinguished using HMRA. They were further designated as qnrB25 and qnrB42. CONCLUSIONS: We developed an HRMA assay for characterizing the qnr alleles in clinical isolates. This high-throughput method can be used to screen a large number of isolates. This method allowed the detection of new qnrB alleles.

Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus bacteraemia accounts for one third of Staphylococcus bacteraemia in a French university hospital.

BACKGROUND: We sought to determine the epidemiological patterns of Staphylococcus bacteraemia, with a focus on the proportion of coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (CoNS) as compared to Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia, and the prognosis. METHODS: All patients with significant Staphylococcus bacteraemia at the university hospital in Reims in 2008 were included in the study. Data were retrieved retrospectively from the patient records using a standardized case investigation form. Quantitative variables were compared using the Mann-Whitney U-test and qualitative variables were compared using Fisher's exact test or Pearson's Chi-square test, as appropriate. Bivariate logistic regression was performed on both S. aureus and CoNS bacteraemia. All variables with a p-value of < 0.15 were entered into a multiple logistic regression model. RESULTS: CoNS represented 31.6% of all strains isolated. The methicillin resistance rate was higher in CoNS (66.1%) than in S. aureus (19.1%) (p < 0.0001). CoNS were more frequently associated with intravascular catheters and neoplastic disease, whereas S. aureus was associated with chronic renal failure (p < 0.0001) and diabetes mellitus (p = 0.004). Mortality was 30.7% for S. aureus and 19.6% for CoNS bacteraemia (p = 0.12). Methicillin resistance was not associated with mortality (p = 0.99). Factors independently associated with mortality in CoNS and S. aureus bacteraemia were age and acute renal failure. The presence of severe sepsis/septic shock was only associated with mortality in S. aureus bacteraemia. CONCLUSIONS: CoNS represent one third of Staphylococcus bacteraemia. The mortality difference between CoNS and S. aureus bacteraemia was not statistically significant. Acute renal failure is associated with mortality in both S. aureus and CoNS bacteraemia.

Characterization of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Salmonella enterica serotype Brunei and Heidelberg at the Hussein Dey hospital in Algiers (Algeria).

The purpose of this work was to study the genetic determinants responsible for extended-spectrum cephalosporin (ESC) resistance of Salmonella collected during the period of 1995-2008 at the Hussein Dey hospital in Algiers (Algeria). Fourteen ESC-resistant Salmonella isolates were tested towards 22 antimicrobial agents. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing were used to determine the underlying genetic determinants responsible for the extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) phenotypes. Enterobacterial Repetitive Intergenic Consensus PCR was employed to type the isolates. All tested isolates were resistant to ticarcillin, ticarcillin-clavulanate, piperacillin, cefuroxime, aztreonam, ceftazidime, cefotaxime (except two isolates), cefepime, and cefpirome. PCR and DNA sequencing identified these ESBLs as TEM-48 (n=6), TEM-4 (n=3), CTX-M-15 (n=4), and one new TEM, designated TEM-188. Thus, continued surveillance for the presence of ESBL-producing (non-typhoidal) salmonellae in Algeria is essential.

A qnrD-Plasmid Promotes Biofilm Formation and Class 1 Integron Gene Cassette Rearrangements in Escherichia coli.

Bacteria within biofilms may be exposed to sub-minimum inhibitory concentrations (sub-MICs) of antibiotics. Cell-to-cell contact within biofilms facilitates horizontal gene transfers and favors induction of the SOS response. Altogether, it participates in the emergence of antibiotic resistance. Aminoglycosides at sub-MICs can induce the SOS response through NO accumulation in E. coli carrying the small plasmid with the quinolone resistance qnrD gene (pDIJ09-518a). In this study, we show that in E. coli pDIJ09-518a, the SOS response triggered by sub-MICs of aminoglycosides has important consequences, promoting genetic rearrangement in class 1 integrons and biofilm formation. We found that the integrase expression was increased in E. coli carrying pDIJ09-518a in the presence of tobramycin, which was not observed for the WT isogenic strain that did not carry the qnrD-plasmid. Moreover, we showed that biofilm production was significantly increased in E. coli WT/pDIJ09-518a compared to the WT strain. However, such a higher production was decreased when the Hmp-NO detoxification pathway was fully functional by overexpressing Hmp. Our results showing that a qnrD-plasmid can promote biofilm formation in E. coli and potentiate the acquisition and spread of resistance determinants for other antibiotics complicate the attempts to counteract antibiotic resistance and prevention of biofilm development even further. We anticipate that our findings emphasize the complex challenges that will impact the decisions about antibiotic stewardship, and other decisions related to retaining antibiotics as effective drugs and the development of new drugs.

A qnr-plasmid allows aminoglycosides to induce SOS in Escherichia coli.

The plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) genes have been shown to promote high-level bacterial resistance to fluoroquinolone antibiotics, potentially leading to clinical treatment failures. In Escherichia coli, sub-minimum inhibitory concentrations (sub-MICs) of the widely used fluoroquinolones are known to induce the SOS response. Interestingly, the expression of several PMQR qnr genes is controlled by the SOS master regulator, LexA. During the characterization of a small qnrD-plasmid carried in E. coli, we observed that the aminoglycosides become able to induce the SOS response in this species, thus leading to the elevated transcription of qnrD. Our findings show that the induction of the SOS response is due to nitric oxide (NO) accumulation in the presence of sub-MIC of aminoglycosides. We demonstrated that the NO accumulation is driven by two plasmid genes, ORF3 and ORF4, whose products act at two levels. ORF3 encodes a putative flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD)-binding oxidoreductase which helps NO synthesis, while ORF4 codes for a putative fumarate and nitrate reductase (FNR)-type transcription factor, related to an O2-responsive regulator of hmp expression, able to repress the Hmp-mediated NO detoxification pathway of E. coli. Thus, this discovery, that other major classes of antibiotics may induce the SOS response could have worthwhile implications for antibiotic stewardship efforts in preventing the emergence of resistance.

Extended Bacteria Culture-Based Clustering Identifies a Phenotype Associating Increased Cough and Enterobacterales in Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic inflammatory lung disease characterized by airflow limitation. This chronic respiratory disease represents the third leading cause of death worldwide. Alteration of the airway microbiota has been reported to be associated with exacerbation frequency in COPD, but its role on the symptoms in patients at stable state is still incompletely described. This study aimed to determine whether bacteria isolated in sputum can be associated with the clinical features of COPD patients within stable state. Our study highlights, for the first time, that altered microbiota with Enterobacterales is associated with pejorative clinical symptoms in stable COPD patients. The airway microbiota of 38 patients was analyzed using an extended culture approach and mass spectrometry identification. Cluster analysis by principal coordinate analysis of the bacterial communities showed that the patients could be classified into three distinct clusters in our cohort. The clusters showed no differences in proportions of the phylum, but one of them was associated with a high prevalence of Enterobacterales (71.4% in cluster 1 vs. 0% in cluster 3), loss of microbiota diversity, and higher bacterial load (107 vs. 105 CFU/ml, respectively) and characterized by predominant cough and impact on mental health. These novel findings, supported by further studies, could lead to modifying the processing of COPD sputum in the everyday practice of clinical microbiology laboratories.

Rapid detection of aac(6')-Ib-cr quinolone resistance gene by pyrosequencing.

Pyrosequencing was used to rapidly detect aac(6')-Ib and aac(6')-Ib-cr genes. This plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance determinant is increasing in extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae. This method is faster and more cost-effective than the methods previously described. Sequences obtained with this pyrosequencing method showed 100% concordance with conventional sequencing.

Low frequency of cytomegalovirus infection during exacerbations of inflammatory bowel diseases.

Although numerous reports have described inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) complicated with cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, the virus participation as an exacerbating factor remains unclear. The aim of this study was thus to clarify the clinical significance of CMV infection complicating exacerbation and to correlate CMV detection with various characteristics in IBD patients. Sixty-seven colonic biopsies obtained from 53 patients admitted for IBD exacerbation were retrospectively analyzed by real-time PCR assay. The CMV genome was detected in seven (10.4%) colonic biopsies related to seven patients (three ulcerative colitis and four Crohn's diseases). Among the patients with IBD studied, patients with evidence of CMV infection were older (P = 0.047), were more likely male gender (relative risk [RR] 4.48; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.94-21.36), received corticosteroids (RR 3.2; CI 0.79-13.02) or azathioprine (RR 3.17; CI 0.80-12.57) treatments, presented more extended lesions (RR for rectum-sigmoid-left colon 3.75 (0.0-69.37) and for pancolitis 2.45 (0.36-16.23)), and had a more severe disease (RR 3.3; CI 0.87-12.48) than those without CMV infection. Viral loads measured in the colonic mucosa of infected patient ranged from 5 to 236961 genome copies by microgram of total extracted DNA. No relationship was observed between the severity of the disease and the viral load level. Furthermore, CMV disappeared in five infected IBD patients in remission without antiviral agents. In conclusion, these results showed infrequent CMV detection in colonic biopsies of IBD patients during exacerbation leaving open the question of the relationship between CMV reactivation and the onset or the severity of IBD exacerbation.

Genomic analysis of a multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae ST11 strain recovered from Barbary deer (Cervus elaphus barbarus) in Akfadou Forest, Algeria.

OBJECTIVES: The emergence and worldwide spread of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE) is a great public-health concern. This study aimed to screen for the presence of CPE isolates from Barbary deer in Akfadou Forest, Béjaïa (Algeria). METHODS: Faecal samples (n=39) were obtained from Barbary deer in Akfadou Forest between March-June 2018. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) was performed to characterise one representative strain of Klebsiella pneumoniae. Data analysis was performed using online tools. RESULTS: A total of 13 carbapenem-resistantK. pneumoniae isolates were obtained. The isolates showed an identical antimicrobial resistance pattern and were susceptible to colistin and fosfomycin. WGS analysis revealed the complete resistome of K. pneumoniae strain CF21, including blaNDM-1, blaCTX-M-15, blaSHV-182, blaDHA-1, blaOXA-1, aac(3)-IIa, aac(3)-IId, aac(6')-Ib-cr, rmtC, sul1, qnrB9, fosA, tetA, dfrA14, catA2, catB3 and mphA. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) analysis assigned this strain to the international clone ST11. Plasmid analysis showed that this K. pneumoniae strain possesses five different plasmids including IncA/C2, IncFIA(HI1), IncFIB(K), IncFII(K) and ColRNAI. CONCLUSION: This study reports a multidrug-resistantK. pneumoniae strain recovered from Barbary deer in Algeria and confirms that wild animals could serve as a reservoir of antimicrobial resistance genes.

First description of IncX3 NDM-5-producing plasmid within Escherichia coli ST448 in Mali.

Carbapenem resistance in Enterobacteriaceae has become an increasingly worrying threat. So far, no epidemiological data regarding NDM-producing enterobacterial isolates has been available on these strains in West Africa. The aim of this study was to seek for carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae clinical strains isolated in Bamako Teaching Hospital in Mali. Of 50 strains isolated between May 2016 and September 2016, we found a ST448 E. coli harbouring an IncX3 plasmid with bla NDM-5 embedded in the ΔISAba125-ble MBL structure. This study reports the first description of NDM-5 in Mali isolated in an undescribed ST E. coli in West Africa.