Identification and Genomic Analyses of a Multidrug Resistant Avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli Coharboring mcr-1, blaTEM-176 and blaCTX-M-14 Genes

Abstract

The emergence and transmission of the colistin-resistance gene mcr and extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) encoding genes pose a significant threat to global public health. In recent years, it has been reported that mcr-1 and ESBL genes can coexist in single bacteria strain. The objective of this study was to characterize a multidrug-resistant (MDR) avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) isolate carrying mcr and ESBL encoding genes in China. A total of 200 APEC isolates were collected for antimicrobial susceptibility testing by Kirby–Bauer (K–B) disk method. The MDR strain EC012 were then further analyzed for minimum inhibitory concentrations, antimicrobials resistance genes (ARGs) detection, conjugation, and whole-genome sequencing (WGS). Among all APEC isolates determined by K–B disk method, strain EC012 was resistant to almost all the antimicrobials, including polymyxin B, cefotaxime, and ceftazidime. Moreover, EC012 harbored ARGs mcr-1, blaTEM-176, and blaCTX-M-14. WGS analysis revealed that EC012 belonged to epidemic APEC serotype O1:H16 and multilocus sequence type ST295. EC012 consisted of one chromosome and six plasmids, encoding a broad ARGs. The blaCTX-M-14, mcr-1 or blaTEM-176 genes were located on conjugative plasmids pEC012-1 or pEC012-5, respectively. These plasmids were successfully transferred to transconjugants and resulted in the resistance to polymyxin B, cefotaxime, and ceftazidime. This study indicated that APEC was a potential reservoir of colistin-resistance gene mcr-1 and ESBL encoding genes, and highlighted the necessity for enhanced monitoring of ARGs dissemination among bacteria from different origins.