Abstract
BackgroundTo investigate the antimicrobial profiles and genomic characteristics of MDR-Citrobacter spp. strains isolated from Fennec fox imported from Sudan to China.MethodsFour Citrobacter spp. strains were isolated from stool samples. Individual fresh stool samples were collected and subsequently diluted in phosphate buffered saline as described previously. The diluted fecal samples were plated on MacConkey agar supplemented with 1 mg/l cefotaxime and incubated for 20 h at 37 °C. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI–TOF–MS) was used for identification. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using the broth microdilution method. Whole-genome sequencing was performed on an Illumina Novaseq-6000 platform. Acquired antimicrobial resistance genes and plasmid replicons were detected using ResFinder 4.1 and PlasmidFinder 1.3, respectively. Comparative genomic analysis of 277 Citrobacter genomes was also performed.ResultsIsolate FF141 was identified as Citrobacter cronae while isolate FF371, isolate FF414, and isolate FF423 were identified as Citrobacter braakii. Of these, three C. braakii isolates were further confirmed to be extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBL)-producer. All isolates are all multidrug resistance (MDR) with resistance to multiple antimicrobials. Plasmid of pKPC-CAV1321 belong to incompatibility (Inc) group. Comparative genomics analysis of Citrobacter isolates generated a large core-genome. Genetic diversity was observed in our bacterial collection, which clustered into five main clades. Human, environmental and animal Citrobacter isolates were distributed into five clusters.ConclusionsTo our knowledge, this is the first investigation of MDR-Citrobacter from Fennec Fox. Our phenotypic and genomic data further underscore the threat of increased ESBL prevalence in wildlife and emphasize that increased effort should be committed to monitoring the potentially rapid dissemination of ESBL-producers with one health perspective.
Highlights
To investigate the antimicrobial profiles and genomic characteristics of MDR-Citrobacter spp. strains isolated from Fennec fox imported from Sudan to China
Treatment of infections caused by ESBL- and AmpCproducing Enterobacteriaceae strains is challenging, due to the emergence and spread of carbapenem resistance in ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae isolates, which is of particular clinical relevance [11, 12]
The ESBLs are usually carried by mobile genetic elements, such as a variety of self-transferring plasmids, which can be transferred to other bacteria [13,14,15]
Summary
To investigate the antimicrobial profiles and genomic characteristics of MDR-Citrobacter spp. strains isolated from Fennec fox imported from Sudan to China. The worldwide increase and spread of infections caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) Gram-negative bacteria of human and animal origin is a significant global public health burden in recent decades [1, 2]. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in these bacteria has significantly potential impacts on the control of AMR from the perspective of the One Health concept [7, 8]. Among these organisms, extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae are recognized as the most prevalent group of pathogens due to their mobility [9, 10]. We reported the detection of the transmission of AMR across human, animals and environmental compartments in China [8, 19, 20]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
