Phylogenetic Groups and Antimicrobial Resistance Genes in Escherichia coli from Different Meat Species.

Angelika Sacher-Pirklbauer,Dmitrij Sofka,Daniela Klein-Jöbstl,Friederike Hilbert,Anne-Béatrice Blanc-Potard

doi:10.3390/antibiotics10121543

Abstract

Escherichia coli isolated from meat of different animal species may harbour antimicrobial resistance genes and may thus be a threat to human health. The objectives of this study were to define antimicrobial resistance genes in E. coli isolates from pork, beef, chicken- and turkey meat and analyse whether their resistance genotypes associated with phylogenetic groups or meat species. A total number of 313 E. coli samples were isolated using standard cultural techniques. In 98% of resistant isolates, a dedicated resistance gene could be identified by PCR. Resistance genes detected were tet(A) and tet(B) for tetracycline resistance, strA and aadA1 for streptomycin resistance, sulI and sulII for resistance against sulphonamides, dfr and aphA for kanamycin resistance and blaTEM for ampicillin resistance. One stx1 harbouring E. coli isolated from pork harboured the tet(A) gene and belonged to phylogenetic group B2, whilst another stx1 positive isolate from beef was multi-resistant and tested positive for blaTEM, aphA, strA–B, sulII, and tet(A) and belonged to phylogenetic group A. In conclusion, the distribution of resistance elements was almost identical and statistically indifferent in isolates of different meat species. Phylogenetic groups did not associate with the distribution of resistance genes and a rather low number of diverse resistance genes were detected. Most E. coli populations with different resistance genes against one drug often revealed statistically significant different MIC values.

Highlights

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and its spread is one of the most important health problem nowadays
Escherichia coli isolated from meat of different animal species may harbour antimicrobial resistance genes and may be a threat to human health
The objectives of this study were to define antimicrobial resistance genes in E. coli isolates from pork, beef, chicken- and turkey meat and analyse whether their resistance genotypes associated with phylogenetic groups or meat species

Summary

Introduction

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and its spread is one of the most important health problem nowadays. Indicator microorganisms for AMR such as Escherichia coli (E. coli) are important indicator bacteria for faecal contamination and the occurrence of AMR of animal and human origin. As a commensal and pathogen in warm-blooded animals and humans, E. coli can be isolated from different sources such as faeces, manure, water and food of animal and plant origin. Isolates from food-producing animals and their food pose a direct link from animals to humans and between locations where the primary antibiotic usage takes place (animal and human medicine). Antibiotic-resistant (ABR) isolates are commonly found and may provide insights into upcoming problems but may provide foreseeable solutions. The analysis of resistant bacteria by whole genome sequencing is becoming a standard procedure but discrimination is very high and one can often “miss the forest for the trees” while waiting for “cut-off values” for epidemiological applications [1,2]

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