Abstract
ESBL-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) represent an increasing problem both in human and veterinary medicine. As SHV-2 - encoding K. pneumoniae were recently detected in the broiler production we were interested in investigating a possible transmission along the broiler production chain and furthermore, in evaluating their possible impact on human health. Therefore, 41 ESBL-producing K. pneumoniae originating from a parent flock, from the hatcherys' environment during the hatching of that parent flocks' chickens, and from an associated fattening flock were investigated on an Illumina Miseq. Whole genome sequences were analyzed concerning their MLST-type, cgMLST-type, genotypic and phenotypic resistance, plasmid profiles and virulence genes. Irrespective of the origin of isolation all investigated isolates were multi-drug resistant, harbored the same ESBL-gene blaSHV−2, shared the same sequence type (ST3128) and displayed 100% similarity in core genome multilocus sequence typing (cgMLST). In addition, in silico plasmid typing found several Inc/Rep types associated with ESBL-plasmids. Summarizing, identical clones of SHV-2—producing K. pneumoniae were detected in different stages of the industrial broiler production in one out of seven investigated broiler chains. This proves the possibility of pseudo-vertical transmission of multi-resistant human pathogens from parent flocks to hatcheries and fattening flocks. Furthermore, the importance of cross-contamination along the production chain was shown. Although the ESBL-producing K. pneumoniae clone detected here in the broiler production has not been associated with clinical settings so far, our findings present a potential public health threat.
Highlights
The emergence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae has been of particular interest for years, in both human and veterinary medicine
SHV-2 -encoding K. pneumoniae strains were detected in all investigated stages of the broiler production chain: 25% of the
Antibiotic resistant K. pneumoniae isolates, especially ESBL–and/or carbapenemase–producers with resistance toward third/fourth generation cephalosporins and carbapenems are of great concern in both human and veterinary medicine
Summary
The emergence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae has been of particular interest for years, in both human and veterinary medicine. The zoonotic impact of animal-originated pathogens on public health via direct contact or due to the consumption of contaminated meat is assumed (Smet et al, 2010; Marshall and Levy, 2011). This warrants the importance of investigations concerning multi-drug resistant bacteria in food-producing animals at different levels of production, to characterize the impact on humans. We are aiming at revealing possible transmission routes of ESBL-producing K. pneumoniae along the production pyramid as well as at assessing a possible impact on human health
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
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 callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
