Rabbits as a Reservoir of Multidrug-Resistant Escherichia coli: Clonal Lineages and Public Health Impact.

Escherichia coli, including extended-spectrum ß-lactamases (ESBL)-producing strains, poses a global health threat due to multidrug resistance, compromising food safety and environmental integrity. In industrial settings, rabbits raised for meat have the highest consumption of antimicrobial agents compared to other food-producing animals. The European Union is facing challenges in rabbit farming as rabbit consumption declines and antibiotic-resistant strains of E. coli cause enteric diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the antibiotic resistance profile, genetic diversity, and biofilm formation in cefotaxime-resistant E. coli strains isolated from twenty rabbit farms in Northern Portugal to address the effect of the pressing issue of antibiotic resistance in the rabbit farming industry. Resistance to critically antibiotics was observed, with high levels of resistance to several categories, such as tetracycline, ampicillin, aztreonam, and streptomycin. However, all isolates were susceptible to cefoxitin and imipenem. Multidrug resistance was common, with strains showing resistance to all antibiotics tested. The blaCTX-M variants (blaCTX-3G and blaCTX-M9), followed by the tetracycline resistance genes, were the most frequent resistance genes found. ST10 clones exhibiting significant resistance to various categories of antibiotics and harboring different resistance genes were detected. ST457 and ST2325 were important sequence types due to their association with ESBL-E. coli isolates and have been widely distributed in a variety of environments and host species. The strains evaluated showed a high capacity for biofilm formation, which varied when they were grouped by the number of classes of antibiotics to which they showed resistance (i.e., seven different classes of antibiotics, six classes of antibiotics, and three/four/five classes of antibiotics). The One Health approach integrates efforts to combat antimicrobial resistance in rabbit farming through interdisciplinary collaboration of human, animal, and environmental health. Our findings are worrisome and raise concerns. The extensive usage of antibiotics in rabbit farming emphasizes the urgent need to establish active surveillance systems.

Unveiling Antibiotic Resistance, Clonal Diversity, and Biofilm Formation in E. coli Isolated from Healthy Swine in Portugal.

Escherichia coli, a commensal microorganism found in the gastrointestinal tract of human and animal hosts, plays a central role in agriculture and public health. Global demand for animal products has promoted increased pig farming, leading to growing concerns about the prevalence of antibiotic-resistant E. coli strains in swine populations. It should be noted that a significant portion of antibiotics deployed in swine management belong to the critically important antibiotics (CIA) class, which should be reserved for human therapeutic applications. This study aimed to characterize the prevalence of antibiotic resistance, genetic diversity, virulence characteristics, and biofilm formation of E. coli strains in healthy pigs from various farms across central Portugal. Our study revealed high levels of antibiotic resistance, with resistance to tetracycline, ampicillin, tobramycin, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Multidrug resistance is widespread, with some strains resistant to seven different antibiotics. The ampC gene, responsible for broad-spectrum resistance to cephalosporins and ampicillin, was widespread, as were genes associated with resistance to sulfonamide and beta-lactam antibiotics. The presence of high-risk clones, such as ST10, ST101, and ST48, are a concern due to their increased virulence and multidrug resistance profiles. Regarding biofilm formation, it was observed that biofilm-forming capacity varied significantly across different compartments within pig farming environments. In conclusion, our study highlights the urgent need for surveillance and implementation of antibiotic management measures in the swine sector. These measures are essential to protect public health, ensure animal welfare, and support the swine industry in the face of the growing global demand for animal products.

Peptidomics analysis of in vitro digested wheat breads: Effect of genotype and environment on protein digestibility and release of celiac disease and wheat allergy related epitopes.

Wheat proteins can trigger immunogenic reactions due to their resistance to digestion and immunostimulatory epitopes. Here, we investigated the peptidomic map of partially digested bread samples and the fingerprint of epitope diversity from 16 wheat genotypes grown in two environmental conditions. Flour protein content and composition were characterized; gastric and jejunal peptides were quantified using LC-MS/MS, and genotypes were classified into high or low bread protein digestibility. Differences in flour protein content and peptide composition distinguish high from low digestibility genotypes in both growing environments. No common peptide signature was found between high- and low-digestible genotypes; however, the celiac or allergen epitopes were noted not to be higher in low-digestible genotypes. Overall, this study established a peptidomic and epitope diversity map of digested wheat bread and provided new insights and correlations between weather conditions, genotypes, digestibility and wheat sensitivities such as celiac disease and wheat allergy.

Activity of Epsilon-poly-L-lysine against Multidrug-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae Isolates of Urinary Tract Infections.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae are notorious for their resistance to antibiotics and propensity for biofilm formation, posing significant threats to human health. Epsilon-poly-L-lysine (ε-PL) emerges as a naturally occurring antimicrobial poly(amino acid), which positions it as a prospective agent for addressing challenges linked to multidrug resistance. ε-PL symbolizes a promising avenue in the pursuit of efficacious therapeutic strategies and warrants earnest consideration within the realm of clinical treatment. Thus, our objective was to determine the antibiotic susceptibility profiles of 38 selected P. aeruginosa and ESBL-producing K. pneumoniae clinical isolates and determine the ability of ε-PL to inhibit biofilm formation. After PCR analysis, detection of genes related to ß-lactamases was observed among the selected isolates of P. aeruginosa [blaSPM (35.7%), blaKPC (35.7%), blaSHV (14.3%), blaCTX-M (14.3%), blaOXA (14.3%), blaTEM (7.1%), blaPER (7.1%), blaVIM (7.1%), and blaVIM-2 (7.1%)] and K. pneumoniae [blaCTX-M (91.7%), blaTEM (83.3%), blaKPC (16.7%), blaNDM (12.5%), and blaOXA (4.2%)]. The results of testing the activity of ε-PL against the clinical isolates showed relatively high minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for the P. aeruginosa (range: 8-64 µg/mL) and K. pneumoniae isolates (range: 16-32 µg/mL). These results suggest the need for prior optimization of ε-PL concerning its viability as an alternative to antibiotics for treating infections caused by P. aeruginosa and K. pneumoniae of clinical origin. It is noteworthy that, in the context of a low antibiotic discovery rate, ε-PL could play a significant role in this quest, considering its low toxicity and the unlikely development of resistance. Upon exposure to ε-PL, P. aeruginosa and K. pneumoniae isolates exhibited a reduction in biofilm production, with ε-PL concentration showing an inverse relationship, particularly in isolates initially characterized as strong or moderate producers, indicating its potential as a natural antimicrobial agent with further research needed to elucidate optimal concentrations and application methods across different bacterial species. Further research is needed to optimize its use and explore its potential in various applications.

Antibiotic Resistance Genes, Virulence Factors, and Biofilm Formation in Coagulase-Negative Staphylococcus spp. Isolates from European Hakes (Merluccius merluccius, L.) Caught in the Northeast Atlantic Ocean.

The indiscriminate use of antibiotics has contributed to the dissemination of multiresistant bacteria, which represents a public health concern. The aim of this work was to characterize 27 coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) isolated from eight wild Northeast Atlantic hakes (Merluccius merluccius, L.) and taxonomically identified as Staphylococcus epidermidis (n = 16), Staphylococcus saprophyticus (n = 4), Staphylococcus hominis (n = 3), Staphylococcus pasteuri (n = 2), Staphylococcus edaphicus (n = 1), and Staphylococcus capitis (n = 1). Biofilm formation was evaluated with a microtiter assay, antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed using the disk diffusion method, and antibiotic resistance and virulence determinants were detected by PCR. Our results showed that all staphylococci produced biofilms and that 92.6% of the isolates were resistant to at least one antibiotic, mainly penicillin (88.8%), fusidic acid (40.7%), and erythromycin (37%). The penicillin resistance gene (blaZ) was detected in 66.6% (18) of the isolates, of which 10 also carried resistance genes to macrolides and lincosamides (mphC, msr(A/B), lnuA, or vgaA), 4 to fusidic acid (fusB), and 3 to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (dfrA). At least one virulence gene (scn, hla, SCCmecIII, and/or SCCmecV) was detected in 48% of the isolates. This study suggests that wild European hake destined for human consumption could act as a vector of CoNS carrying antibiotic resistance genes and/or virulence factors.

Determination of Antimicrobial Resistance and the Impact of Imipenem + Cilastatin Synergy with Tetracycline in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolates from Sepsis.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is among the most ubiquitous bacteria in the natural world, exhibiting metabolic and physiological versatility, which makes it highly adaptable. Imipenem + cilastatin and tetracycline are antibiotic combinations commonly used to treat infections caused by P. aeruginosa, including serious infections such as sepsis. In the context of bacterial infections, biofilm, formed by bacterial cells surrounded by extracellular substances forming a matrix, plays a pivotal role in the resistance of P. aeruginosa to antibiotics. This study aimed to characterize a representative panel of P. aeruginosa isolates from septicemias, assessing their susceptibility to various antibiotics, specifically, imipenem + cilastatin and tetracycline, and the impact of these treatments on biofilm formation. Results from antibiotic susceptibility tests revealed sensitivity in most isolates to six antibiotics, with four showing near or equal to 100% sensitivity. However, resistance was observed in some antibiotics, albeit at minimal levels. Notably, tetracycline showed a 100% resistance phenotype, while imipenem + cilastatin predominantly displayed an intermediate phenotype (85.72%), with some resistance (38.1%). Microdilution susceptibility testing identified effective combinations against different isolates. Regarding biofilm formation, P. aeruginosa demonstrated the ability to produce biofilms. The staining of microtiter plates confirmed that specific concentrations of imipenem + cilastatin and tetracycline could inhibit biofilm production. A significant proportion of isolates exhibited resistance to aminoglycoside antibiotics because of the presence of modifying genes (aac(3)-II and aac(3)-III), reducing their effectiveness. This study also explored various resistance genes, unveiling diverse resistance mechanisms among P. aeruginosa isolates. Several virulence genes were detected, including the las quorum-sensing system genes (lasI and lasR) in a significant proportion of isolates, contributing to virulence factor activation. However, genes related to the type IV pili (T4P) system (pilB and pilA) were found in limited isolates. In conclusion, this comprehensive study sheds light on the intricate dynamics of P. aeruginosa, a remarkably adaptable bacterium with a widespread presence in the natural world. Our findings provide valuable insights into the ongoing battle against P. aeruginosa infections, highlighting the need for tailored antibiotic therapies and innovative approaches to combat biofilm-related resistance.

Antibiotic Resistance of Enterococcus Species in Ornamental Animal Feed.

Enterococcus is a bacterial genus that is strongly associated with nosocomial infections and has a high capacity to transfer and acquire resistance genes. In this study, the main objective was to evaluate the presence of Enterococcus species in ornamental animal feed and characterize their antimicrobial resistance and virulence factors. Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined using 14 antimicrobial agents by the disk diffusion method, complemented by genotypic analysis to identify Enterococcus species and the presence of 14 antimicrobial resistance and 10 virulence genes. From 57 samples of ornamental animal feed, 103 Enterococcus isolates were recovered from 15 bird, 9 fish and 4 reptile feed samples. Enterococcus isolates were highly resistance to rifampicin (78%) and erythromycin (48%), and 48% of isolates were classified as multidrug-resistant. Enterococcus faecalis (36.7%) and E. faecium (31.7%) were the species most frequently identified. Most isolates carried the resistance genes ermB (57%) and tetL (52%) and the virulence genes, cylL (52%) and esp (40%). Enterococcus gallinarum was the species with the highest number of multidrug-resistant isolates (50%) and virulence genes (80%). These results highlight the high levels of antibiotic-resistant Enterococcus spp. present in ornamental animal feed and the growing interaction of these animals with humans as a public health concern.

Antimicrobial Resistance, Genetic Lineages, and Biofilm Formation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolated from Human Infections: An Emerging One Health Concern.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) is a leading nosocomial pathogen and has great versatility due to a complex interplay between antimicrobial resistance and virulence factors. PA has also turned into one the most relevant model organisms for the study of biofilm-associated infections. The objective of the study focused on analyzing the antimicrobial susceptibility, resistance genes, virulence factors, and biofilm formation ability of thirty-two isolates of PA. PA isolates were characterized by the following analyses: susceptibility to 12 antimicrobial agents, the presence of resistance genes and virulence factors in PCR assays, and the quantification of biofilm production as evaluated by two distinct assays. Selected PA isolates were analyzed through multilocus sequence typing (MLST). Thirty PA isolates have a multi-resistant phenotype, and most of the isolates showed high levels of resistance to the tested antibiotics. Carbapenems showed the highest prevalence of resistance. Various virulence factors were detected and, for the quantification of biofilm production, the effectiveness of different methods was assessed. The microtiter plate method showed the highest accuracy and reproducibility for detecting biofilm-producing bacteria. MLST revealed four distinct sequence types (STs) in clinical PA, with three of them considered high-risk clones of PA, namely ST175, ST235, and ST244. These clones are associated with multidrug resistance and are prevalent in hospitals worldwide. Overall, the study highlights the high prevalence of antibiotic resistance, the presence of carbapenemase genes, the diversity of virulence factors, and the importance of biofilm formation in PA clinical isolates. Understanding these factors is crucial for effective infection control measures and the development of targeted treatment strategies.

Screening of Chemical Composition, Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activities in Pomegranate, Quince, and Persimmon Leaf, Peel, and Seed: Valorization of Autumn Fruits By-Products for a One Health Perspective.

Antimicrobial resistance is increasing globally and is now one of the major public health problems. Therefore, there is a need to search for new antimicrobial agents. The food industry generates large amounts of by-products that are rich in bioactive compounds, such as phenolic compounds, which are known to have several health benefits, including antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Thus, we aimed to characterize the phenolic compounds present in pomegranate, quince, and persimmon by-products, as well as their antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Phenolic compounds were extracted from pomegranate, quince, and persimmon leaves, seeds, and peels using a mixture of ethanol/water (80/20). The polyphenol profile of the extracts was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. The antioxidant activity of the extracts was determined by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC) methods. Antimicrobial susceptibility was evaluated using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. In general, leaves showed higher concentrations of phenolics than the peel and seeds of fruits. In total, 23 phenolic compounds were identified and quantified, with sanguiin and apigenin-3-O-galactoside being present in the highest concentrations. Leaf extracts of pomegranate showed higher antioxidant activities than the other components in all methods used. In general, all extracts had a greater antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria. Persimmon leaf and seed extracts inhibited a greater number of bacteria, both Gram-positive and -negative. The lowest minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) detected among Gram-positive and -negative bacteria was 10 mg/mL for pomegranate peel and leaf extracts against Staphylococcus aureus and S. pseudintermedius and for pomegranate leaf extract against Escherichia coli. Our results reinforce the need to value food industry by-products that could be used as food preservatives and antibiotic adjuvants against multiresistant bacteria.

Evaluation of the Ability to Form Biofilms in KPC-Producing and ESBL-Producing Klebsiella pneumoniae Isolated from Clinical Samples.

The appearance of Klebsiella pneumoniae strains producing extended-spectrum ß-lactamase (ESBL), and carbapenemase (KPC) has turned into a significant public health issue. ESBL- and KPC-producing K. pneumoniae's ability to form biofilms is a significant concern as it can promote the spread of antibiotic resistance and prolong infections in healthcare facilities. A total of 45 K. pneumoniae strains were isolated from human infections. Antibiograms were performed for 17 antibiotics, ESBL production was tested by Etest ESBL PM/PML, a rapid test was used to detect KPC carbapenemases, and resistance genes were detected by PCR. Biofilm production was detected by the microtiter plate method. A total of 73% of multidrug resistance was found, with the highest resistance rates to ampicillin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, cefotaxime, amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, and aztreonam. Simultaneously, the most effective antibiotics were tetracycline and amikacin. blaCTX-M, blaTEM, blaSHV, aac(3)-II, aadA1, tetA, cmlA, catA, gyrA, gyrB, parC, sul1, sul2, sul3, blaKPC, blaOXA, and blaPER genes were detected. Biofilm production showed that 80% of K. pneumoniae strains were biofilm producers. Most ESBL- and KPC-producing isolates were weak biofilm producers (40.0% and 60.0%, respectively). There was no correlation between the ability to form stronger biofilms and the presence of ESBL and KPC enzymes in K. pneumoniae isolates.

Bovine Colostrum: Human and Animal Health Benefits or Route Transmission of Antibiotic Resistance-One Health Perspective.

After calving, bovine colostrum is obtained from the mammary gland of the dam in the first days and fed to newborn ruminant to prevent microbial infections. Each bovine colostrum has a unique biochemical composition with high nutraceutical value compared to milk. However, bovine colostrum is influenced by various factors, such as environmental, individual, and genetic factors, as well as processing methods. Proper colostrum management is crucial for obtaining high-quality colostrum and mitigating bacterial contamination. This is important not only for the health and survival of calves but also for the health of humans who consume colostrum and its co-products. It is essential to ensure that the consumed colostrum is free of pathogens to reap its benefits. Health-promoting products based on colostrum have gained significant interest. However, colostrum can contain pathogens that, if not eliminated, can contribute to their transmission and spread, as well as antibiotic resistance. The aim of this review was to promote the animal and human health benefits of bovine colostrum by improving its microbial quality and highlighting potential routes of dissemination of antibiotic-resistant pathogens. Implementing hygienic measures is one of the key factors in mitigating colostrum bacterial contamination and obtaining safe and high-quality colostrum. This helps reduce the exposure of pathogens to newborn calves, other animals, and humans, in a One Health analysis.

Study of Antimicrobial Resistance, Biofilm Formation, and Motility of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Derived from Urine Samples.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa causes urinary tract infections associated with catheters by forming biofilms on the surface of indwelling catheters. Therefore, controlling the spread of the bacteria is crucial to preventing its transmission in hospitals and the environment. Thus, our objective was to determine the antibiotic susceptibility profiles of twenty-five P. aeruginosa isolates from UTIs at the Medical Center of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (CHTMAD). Biofilm formation and motility are also virulence factors studied in this work. Out of the twenty-five P. aeruginosa isolates, 16% exhibited multidrug resistance, being resistant to at least three classes of antibiotics. However, the isolates showed a high prevalence of susceptibility to amikacin and tobramycin. Resistance to carbapenem antibiotics, essential for treating infections when other antibiotics fail, was low in this study, Notably, 92% of the isolates demonstrated intermediate sensitivity to ciprofloxacin, raising concerns about its efficacy in controlling the disease. Genotypic analysis revealed the presence of various ß-lactamase genes, with class B metallo-ß-lactamases (MBLs) being the most common. The blaNDM, blaSPM, and blaVIM-VIM2 genes were detected in 16%, 60%, and 12% of the strains, respectively. The presence of these genes highlights the emerging threat of MBL-mediated resistance. Additionally, virulence gene analysis showed varying prevalence rates among the strains. The exoU gene, associated with cytotoxicity, was found in only one isolate, while other genes such as exoS, exoA, exoY, and exoT had a high prevalence. The toxA and lasB genes were present in all isolates, whereas the lasA gene was absent. The presence of various virulence genes suggests the potential of these strains to cause severe infections. This pathogen demonstrated proficiency in producing biofilms, as 92% of the isolates were found to be capable of doing so. Currently, antibiotic resistance is one of the most serious public health problems, as options become inadequate with the continued emergence and spread of multidrug-resistant strains, combined with the high rate of biofilm production and the ease of dissemination. In conclusion, this study provides insights into the antibiotic resistance and virulence profiles of P. aeruginosa strains isolated from human urine infections, highlighting the need for continued surveillance and appropriate therapeutic approaches.

Antimicrobial Resistance and Clonal Lineages of Escherichia coli from Food-Producing Animals.

Escherichia coli are one of the most important pathogenic bacteria readily found in the livestock and widely studied as an indicator that carries drug-resistant genes between humans, animals, and the environment. The use of antimicrobials in the food chain, particularly in food-producing animals, is recognized as a significant contributor to the development and spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and resistance genes can be transferred from the farm through the food-chain. The objective of this review is to highlight the background of the antimicrobials use in food-producing animals, more specifically, to study clonal lineages and the resistance profiles observed in E. coli, as well as in extended spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL) producing E. coli, in a set of food-production animals with greater relevance in food consumption, such as pigs, poultry, cattle, fish farming and rabbits. Regarding the prevalence of ESBL-producing E. coli among farm animals, high-to-moderate prevalence was observed, and the highest resistance rates to tetracycline and ampicillin was detected in different farms in all geographic regions. Worldwide pandemic clones and high-risk zoonotic E. coli clones have been identified in most food-producing animals, and some of these clones are already disseminated in different niches, such as the environment and humans. A better understanding of the epidemiology of E. coli and ESBL-producing E. coli in livestock is urgently needed. Animal production is one of the major causes of the antibiotic resistance problem worldwide and a One Health approach is needed.

Analysis of Antibiotic-Resistant and Virulence Genes of Enterococcus Detected in Calf Colostrum-One Health Perspective.

Enterococci are considered among the most prevalent global multidrug-resistant microorganisms globally. Their dissemination is a global concern, particularly by food-producing animals for both animals and humans. The aim of this study was to identify the species and investigate the antibiotic resistance and virulence profile of Enterococcus in bovine colostrum. Out of 88 presumptive Enterococcus isolates, species identification and susceptibility to 14 antimicrobials were tested using the disk diffusion method. An analysis of the antibiotic resistance and virulence genes was performed on the most prevalent species, using specific PCR assays. Enterococcus faecalis (54.5%), E. faecium (14.8%) and E. gallinarum (6.8%) were the identified species. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of E. gallinarum in bovine colostrum. The majority of the isolates showed resistance to quinupristin-dalfopristin (95.9%), erythromycin (80.7%), tetracycline (80.7%) and streptomycin (58%). Ninety-two percent of isolates were classified as multidrug-resistant. The most frequently detected resistance genes were tet(K) (61.1%), tet(M) (75.9%), tet(L) (90.7%), erm(B) (55.6%) and ant(6)-Ia (46.3%). The most prevalent virulence factors were cpd, esp, agg and cylLL. Enterococcus faecium showed a higher probability of carrying the erm(C), tet(M), ace and gel(E) genes (p < 0.05). These results demonstrated that colostrum can constitute an important reservoir and vehicle for the dissemination of antibiotic resistance and virulence genes to the three niches included in a One Health perspective (humans, animals and the environment), highlighting the importance of hygiene sanitary measures to mitigate colostrum microbial contamination.

A novel gluten knowledge base of potential biomedical and health-related interactions extracted from the literature: Using machine learning and graph analysis methodologies to reconstruct the bibliome.

BACKGROUND: In return for their nutritional properties and broad availability, cereal crops have been associated with different alimentary disorders and symptoms, with the majority of the responsibility being attributed to gluten. Therefore, the research of gluten-related literature data continues to be produced at ever-growing rates, driven in part by the recent exploratory studies that link gluten to non-traditional diseases and the popularity of gluten-free diets, making it increasingly difficult to access and analyse practical and structured information. In this sense, the accelerated discovery of novel advances in diagnosis and treatment, as well as exploratory studies, produce a favourable scenario for disinformation and misinformation. OBJECTIVES: Aligned with, the European Union strategy "Delivering on EU Food Safety and Nutrition in 2050″ which emphasizes the inextricable links between imbalanced diets, the increased exposure to unreliable sources of information and misleading information, and the increased dependency on reliable sources of information; this paper presents GlutKNOIS, a public and interactive literature-based database that reconstructs and represents the experimental biomedical knowledge extracted from the gluten-related literature. The developed platform includes different external database knowledge, bibliometrics statistics and social media discussion to propose a novel and enhanced way to search, visualise and analyse potential biomedical and health-related interactions in relation to the gluten domain. METHODS: For this purpose, the presented study applies a semi-supervised curation workflow that combines natural language processing techniques, machine learning algorithms, ontology-based normalization and integration approaches, named entity recognition methods, and graph knowledge reconstruction methodologies to process, classify, represent and analyse the experimental findings contained in the literature, which is also complemented by data from the social discussion. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: In this sense, 5814 documents were manually annotated and 7424 were fully automatically processed to reconstruct the first online gluten-related knowledge database of evidenced health-related interactions that produce health or metabolic changes based on the literature. In addition, the automatic processing of the literature combined with the knowledge representation methodologies proposed has the potential to assist in the revision and analysis of years of gluten research. The reconstructed knowledge base is public and accessible at https://sing-group.org/glutknois/.

The Impact of the Virulence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolated from Dogs.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a pathogenic bacterium that can cause serious infections in both humans and animals, including dogs. Treatment of this bacterium is challenging because some strains have developed multi-drug resistance. This study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial resistance patterns and biofilm production of clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa obtained from dogs. The study found that resistance to various ß-lactam antimicrobials was widespread, with cefovecin and ceftiofur showing resistance in 74% and 59% of the isolates tested, respectively. Among the aminoglycosides, all strains showed susceptibility to amikacin and tobramycin, while gentamicin resistance was observed in 7% of the tested isolates. Furthermore, all isolates carried the oprD gene, which is essential in governing the entry of antibiotics into bacterial cells. The study also investigated the presence of virulence genes and found that all isolates carried exoS, exoA, exoT, exoY, aprA, algD, and plcH genes. This study compared P. aeruginosa resistance patterns worldwide, emphasizing regional understanding and responsible antibiotic use to prevent multi-drug resistance from emerging. In general, the results of this study emphasize the importance of the continued monitoring of antimicrobial resistance in veterinary medicine.

Antibiotic Resistance among Gastrointestinal Bacteria in Broilers: A Review Focused on Enterococcus spp. and Escherichia coli.

Chickens can acquire bacteria at different stages, and bacterial diversity can occur due to production practices, diet, and environment. The changes in consumer trends have led to increased animal production, and chicken meat is one of the most consumed meats. To ensure high levels of production, antimicrobials have been used in livestock for therapeutic purposes, disease prevention, and growth promotion, contributing to the development of antimicrobial resistance across the resident microbiota. Enterococcus spp. and Escherichia coli are normal inhabitants of the gastrointestinal microbiota of chickens that can develop strains capable of causing a wide range of diseases, i.e., opportunistic pathogens. Enterococcus spp. isolated from broilers have shown resistance to at least seven classes of antibiotics, while E. coli have shown resistance to at least four. Furthermore, some clonal lineages, such as ST16, ST194, and ST195 in Enterococcus spp. and ST117 in E. coli, have been identified in humans and animals. These data suggest that consuming contaminated animal-source food, direct contact with animals, or environmental exposure can lead to the transmission of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. Therefore, this review focused on Enterococcus spp. and E. coli from the broiler industry to better understand how antibiotic-resistant strains have emerged, which antibiotic-resistant genes are most common, what clonal lineages are shared between broilers and humans, and their impact through a One Health perspective.

Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA in Livestock: Antimicrobial Resistance and Genetic Lineages.

Animal production is associated with the frequent use of antimicrobial agents for growth promotion and for the prevention, treatment, and control of animal diseases, thus maintaining animal health and productivity. Staphylococcus aureus, in particular methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), can cause a variety of infections from superficial skin and soft tissue infections to life-threatening septicaemia. S. aureus represents a serious public health problem in hospital and community settings, as well as an economic and animal welfare problem. Livestock-associated MRSA (LA-MRSA) was first described associated with the sequence (ST) 398 that was grouped within the clonal complex (CC) 398. Initially, LA-MRSA strains were restricted to CC398, but over the years it has become clear that its diversity is much greater and that it is constantly changing, a trend increasingly associated with multidrug resistance. Therefore, in this review, we aimed to describe the main clonal lineages associated with different production animals, such as swine, cattle, rabbits, and poultry, as well as verify the multidrug resistance associated with each animal species and clonal lineage. Overall, S. aureus ST398 still remains the most common clone among livestock and was reported in rabbits, goats, cattle, pigs, and birds, often together with spa-type t011. Nevertheless, a wide diversity of clonal lineages was reported worldwide in livestock.

Influence of Environmental Factors on Biofilm Formation of Staphylococci Isolated from Wastewater and Surface Water.

The presence of biofilms can negatively affect several different areas, such as the food industry, environment, and biomedical sectors. Conditions under which bacteria grow and develop, such as temperature, nutrients, and pH, among others, can largely influence biofilm production. Staphylococcus species survive in the natural environment due to their tolerance to a wide range of temperatures, dryness, dehydration, and low water activity. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the influence of external environmental factors on the formation of biofilm of staphylococci isolated from hospital wastewater and surface waters. We investigated the biofilm formation of methicillin-resistant and -susceptible S. aureus (MRSA and MSSA) and coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) under various temperatures, pH values, salt concentrations, glucose concentrations, and under anaerobic and aerobic conditions. CoNS had the ability to produce more biofilm biomass than MSSA and MRSA. All environmental factors studied influenced the biofilm formation of staphylococci isolates after 24 h of incubation. Higher biofilm formation was achieved at 4% of NaCl and 0.5% of glucose for MSSA and CoNS, and 1% of NaCl and 1.5% of glucose for MRSA isolates. Biofilm formation of isolates was greater at 25 °C and 37 °C than at 10 °C and 4 °C. pH values between 6 and 8 led to more robust biofilm formation than pH levels of 9 and 5. Although staphylococci are facultative anaerobes, biofilm formation was higher in the presence of oxygen. The results demonstrated that multiple environmental factors affect staphylococci biofilm formation. Different conditions affect differently the biofilm formation of MRSA, MSSA, and CoNS strains.

MRSA in Humans, Pets and Livestock in Portugal: Where We Came from and Where We Are Going.

Over the years, molecular typing of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) has allowed for the identification of endemic MRSA strains and pathogenic strains. After reaching a peak of predominance in a given geographic region, MRSA strains are usually replaced by a new strain. This process is called clonal replacement and is observed worldwide. The worldwide spread of hospital-associated MRSA (HA-MRSA), community-associated MRSA (CA-MRSA) and livestock-associated MRSA (LA-MRSA) clones over the last few decades has allowed this microorganism to be currently considered a pandemic. In Portugal, most HA-MRSA infections are associated with EMRSA-15 (S22-IV), New York/Japan (ST5-II) and Iberian (ST247-I) clones. Regarding the strains found in the community, many of them are frequently associated with the hospital environment, namely the Pediatric, Brazilian and Iberian clones. On the other hand, a strain that is typically found in animals, MRSA clonal complex (CC) 398, has been described in humans as colonizing and causing infections. The ST398 clone is found across all animal species, particularly in farm animals where the economic impact of LA-MRSA infections can have disastrous consequences for industries. In contrast, the EMRSA-15 clone seems to be more related to companion animals. The objective of this review is to better understand the MRSA epidemiology because it is, undoubtedly, an important public health concern that requires more attention, in order to achieve an effective response in all sectors.