The use of antimicrobial growth promoters (AGPs) in sub-therapeutic doses for long periods promotes the selection of resistant microorganisms and the subsequent risk of spreading this resistance to ...the human population and the environment. Global concern about antimicrobial resistance development and transference of resistance genes from animal to human has been rising. The goal of our research was to evaluate the susceptibility pattern to different classes of antimicrobials of colistin-resistant
from poultry production systems that use AGPs, and characterize the resistance determinants associated to transferable platforms.
strains (
= 41) were obtained from fecal samples collected from typical Argentine commercial broiler farms and susceptibility for 23 antimicrobials, relevant for human or veterinary medicine, was determined. Isolates were tested by PCR for the presence of
, extended spectrum β-lactamase encoding genes and plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) coding genes. Conjugation and susceptibility patterns of the transconjugant studies were performed. ERIC-PCR and REP-PCR analysis showed a high diversity of the isolates. Resistance to several antimicrobials was determined and all colistin-resistant isolates harbored the
gene. CTX-M-2 cefotaximase was the main mechanism responsible for third generation cephalosporins resistance, and PMQR determinants were also identified. In addition, co-transference of the
determinant on the
-positive transconjugants was corroborated, which suggests that these resistance genes are likely to be located in the same plasmid. In this work a wide range of antimicrobial resistance mechanisms were identified in
strains isolated from the environment of healthy chickens highlighting the risk of antimicrobial abuse/misuse in animals under intensive production systems and its consequences for public health.
The widespread use of antimicrobial therapy in companion animals could lead to increased levels of resistance. Monitoring these levels is critical to understand not only the zoonotic threat of ...resistant bacteria but also the interspecies transmission of resistance mechanisms. However, data on resistance levels in companion animals of urban areas in Latin America are lacking. In this retrospective study, we analysed 23,922 isolates recovered from clinical samples of dogs and cats between 2011 and 2017. Growing trends of resistance to fluoroquinolones were observed in most bacterial species of veterinary importance with zoonotic potential (Enterobacterales, Pseudomonas and Staphylococcus). Furthermore, an increase of resistance levels to third‐generation cephalosporins was also detected in Enterobacterales. Currently, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. did not seem to represent a clinical challenge. A high proportion of multidrug‐resistant (MDR) Enterobacterales isolated from urine was reported. It is interesting to outline that resistance to amikacin was exceptional. This study might be considered as a baseline for prospective antimicrobial resistance surveillance in companion animals in our region.
Extended-spectrum β-lactamases’ (ESBLs) production is the main resistance mechanism to third-generation cephalosporins (TGCs) in gram-negative bacilli. In Argentina, there is a high prevalence of ...cefotaximase-type ESBLs (CTX-M). For this reason, dissociated resistance phenotype (DRP) displaying a profile of resistance to cefotaxime (CTX) and susceptibility to ceftazidime (CAZ) might be detected. The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of DRP in
Enterobacterales
clinical isolates, to characterize the mechanisms responsible for this phenotype and to evaluate the in vitro behaviour against different antibiotics. Sixty
Enterobacterales
resistant to any TGC were studied, and among them, 25% displayed a DRP. The β-lactamases associated with DRP were 5/11 CTX-M-2, 4/11 CTX-M-14, 1/11 CTX-M-15 and 1/11 CMY-2 in
E. coli
, 2/3 CTX-M-2 and 1/3 CMY-2 in
P. mirabilis
and 1/1 CTX-M-14 in
K. pneumoniae
. Furthermore, CTX-M-2 and CTX-M-14 were related with DRP in both wild-type isolates and the corresponding transconjugants. Time-kill experiments showed CAZ bactericidal activity on CTX-M-2-and CTX-M-14-producing strains and bacterial regrowth in those CMY-2 producers. An opposite behaviour was evident when cefepime (FEP) was used. However, CAZ and gentamicin combination showed a synergistic effect against the CMY-2 producers. We concluded that
Enterobacterales
with DRP responded differently to CAZ or FEP depending on the type of β-lactamase they possess, suggesting that these cephalosporins could be a therapeutic option. Therefore, the characterization of the involved resistance mechanism might contribute to define the appropriate antibiotic treatment.
In this study, we identified specific carbapenemase-producing isolates applying an easy and rapid protocol for the detection of mature KPC-2 β-lactamase by MALDI-TOF MS from colony and positive blood ...culture bottles. In addition, we evaluated the correlation of the ~11,109 Da signal as a biomarker associated with KPC-2 production. A collection of 126 well-characterized clinical isolates were evaluated (including 60 KPC-2-producing strains). Presence of KPC-2 was assessed by MALDI-TOF MS on protein extracts. Samples were prepared using the double layer sinapinic acid technique. In order to identify mature KPC-2, raw spectra were analyzed focusing on the range between m/z 25,000–30,000 Da. A single distinctive peak, at approximately m/z 28,544 Da was found in all clinical and control KPC-2-producing strains, and consistently absent in the control groups (ESBL producers and susceptible strains). This peak was detected in all species independently of where the gene blaKPC-2 was embedded. Statistical results showed 100% sensitivity, CI95%: 94.0%; 100% and 100% specificity, CI95%: 94.6%; 100%, indicating a promising test with a high discriminative power. KPC-2 β-lactamase could be directly detected from both colonies and blood culture bottles. On the other hand, the m/z 11,109 Da signal determinant was only associated with 32% of Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli KPC positive isolates. This MALDI-TOF MS methodology has the potential to detect directly the widespread and clinically relevant carbapenemase, KPC-2, in Enterobacterales with a straightforward, low cost process, assuming MALDI-TOF MS is already adopted as the main identification tool, with clear clinical implications on antibiotic stewardship for early infection treatment.
•KPC-2-enzyme was detected by MALDI-TOF MS in different Gram-negative bacilli.•A distinctive peak around 28,544 Da was found in all KPC-2 producers.•Direct KPC-2 detection on positive blood culture bottles was also achieved.•The proposed accompanying 11,109 Da peak was a bad predictor for KPC-2 presence.
A phenotypic assay based on colistin pre-diffusion and differential inhibition of Mobile Colistin Resistance (MCR) protein activity by EDTA showed that, of the 92 strains tested, all MCR producers ...(49) exhibited an increase ≥5 mm in the inhibition zone around the area of pre-diffusion in the presence of EDTA, in comparison with colistin alone. Results suggest that CPD-E may differentiate MCR-producing microorganisms from resistant microorganisms without this marker.
•CDP-E can easily differentiate plasmid-mediated colistin resistance from resistance mediated by chromosomal mutations in Enterobacteriaceae.•This new, fast and easy to perform protocol was able to discriminate plasmid-mediated colistin resistance strains.•CDP-E provided a 100% sensitivity and specificity for mcr detection.
•Resistance to cephalosporins and colistin in E. coli infections in pet has been investigated.•Occurrence of CMY-2 and CTX-M-type β-lactamases is reported.•Identification of MCR-1 and CTX-M-2 ...co-producing E. coli ST770 in a dog infection is highlighted.•Genomic analysis revealed that mcr-1 gene was carried by a ˜60-kb IncI2 plasmid.•Dissemination of MDR E. coli in companion animals, in Argentina, has been discussed.
Extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL), plasmid-mediated AmpC (pAmpC) and MCR-1 phosphoethanolamine transferase enzymes have been pointed out as the main plasmid-mediated mechanisms of resistance to third generation cephalosporins (TGC) and colistin, respectively, and are currently considered a major concern both in human and veterinary medicine. Little data on these resistance determinants prevalence in companion animal infections is available. The aim of this study was to determine the resistance profile of Escherichia coli isolated from pet infections, in Argentina, and to characterize the resistance mechanisms to TGC, as well as the presence of the plasmid-borne colistin resistance gene, mcr-1. A total of 54 E. coli isolates were collected from clinical samples in dogs and cats; from them, 20/54 (37%, CI95: 24%; 51%) displayed resistance to TGC. In this regard, thirteen pAmpC-producing isolates were positive for blaCMY-2 genes, whereas seven ESBL- producers harboured blaCTX-M-2 (n = 4), blaCTX-M-15 (n = 2) and blaCTX-M-14 (n = 1) genes. One E. coli strain (V80), isolated from a canine urinary tract infection, showed resistance to colistin (MIC = 8 μg/ml) and whole-genome sequencing analysis revealed co-occurrence of mcr-1.1, blaCTX-M-2, aadA1, ant(2′')-Ia, catA1 and sul1 genes; the former being carried by a 60,587-bp IncI2 plasmid, previously reported in human colistin-resistant E. coli. E. coli V80 belonged to ST770 and the highly virulent phylogenetic group B2. In general, most of these multidrug-resistant isolates belonged to the phylogenetic group F (11/20) and to a lesser extent B2 (5/20), B1 (2/20), D (1/20) and E (1/20). In summary, CMY- and CTX-M-type β-lactamases may constitute the main TGC resistance mechanism in E. coli isolated from pet infections in Argentina, whereas dissemination of colistin resistance mechanism MCR-1 in the human-animal interface has been mediated by IncI2 plasmids.
Colistin resistance can occur by chromosomal mutations and by acquisition of plasmid-carrying determinants, mainly mcr-1. In the recent years, we have observed the outburst of this resistance gene in ...our region. Due to the risk of the rapid dissemination of mcr-1, this finding has worried and alerted different actors from the health field and has become one of the most prolific topics. Our review compiles available reports of well-documented mcr-1-positive strains of Enterobacteriaceae, obtained from different samples in Argentina and other countries of Latin America. Furthermore, it addresses the association of mcr-1 with ESBL resistance markers and outlines the platforms involved in their dissemination.
La resistencia a la colistina puede ocurrir por mutaciones cromosómicas o por la adquisición de determinantes localizados en plásmidos, el principal es mcr-1. En los últimos años hemos observado la explosiva aparición de este gen de resistencia en nuestra región. Debido al riesgo que implica la rápida diseminación de mcr-1, este hallazgo ha preocupado y alertado a los diferentes actores del área de la salud, y se ha convertido en uno de los temas de investigación más importantes. La presente revisión compila los informes de aislamientos portadores de mcr-1 debidamente documentados en Enterobacteriaceae, obtenidos de diferentes muestras en Argentina y otros países de América Latina. Además, aborda la asociación de mcr-1 con otros marcadores de resistencia, como las BLEE, y describe las plataformas involucradas en su diseminación.
•Novel and diverse mutations in mepA and mepR are associated with TGC resistance in in vitro-selected mutants of S. aureus.•New substitutions in rpsJ might also contribute to the TGC resistance ...phenotype.•These TGC resistant mechanisms are not restricted to a single type of genotypic background.
Tigecycline (TGC) resistance remains rare in Staphylococcus aureus worldwide. In this study, 12 TGC-resistant S. aureus mutants (TRSAm) were obtained displaying an increase in efflux activity. The isolates belonged to seven different genetic lineages, with a predominance of clonal complex 5 (CC5). Diverse genetic changes in mepA and mepR genes were found producing alterations in the amino acid sequences of the corresponding proteins (MepA and MepR, respectively). The most frequent amino acid change in MepA was Glu287Gly. All of the TRSAm exhibited different single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) or insertions/deletions (InDels) in mepR causing premature stop codons or amino acid changes in MepR. Expression of mepA was significantly increased in TRSAm with different mutations in mepA and mepR. Of the 12 TRSAm, 6 also harboured mutations in rpsJ that resulted in amino acid changes in the S10 ribosomal protein, with Lys57 being the most frequently mutated site. Our findings demonstrate that these acquired mechanisms of TGC resistance are not restricted to a single type of genotypic background and that different lineages might have the same plasticity to develop TGC resistance. The impact of TGC selective pressure assessed by whole-genome sequencing in four selected strain pairs revealed mutations in other singular genes and IS256 mobilisation.
New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase (NDM)-producing isolates are usually resistant to most β-lactams and other antibiotics as a result of the coexistence of several resistance markers, and they cause a ...variety of infections associated to high mortality rates. Although NDM-1 is the most prevalent one, other variants are increasing their frequency worldwide. In this study we describe the first clinical isolate of NDM-5- and RmtB-producing
in Latin America.
(Ec265) was recovered from a urine sample of a female outpatient. Phenotypical and genotypical characterization of resistance markers and conjugation assays were performed. Genetic analysis of Ec265 was achieved by whole genome sequencing. Ec265 belonging to ST9693 (CC354), displayed resistance to most β-lactams (including carbapenems), aminoglycosides (gentamicin and amikacin), and quinolones. Several resistance genes were found, including
and
, located on a conjugative plasmid.
genetic context is similar to others found around the world. Co-transfer of multiple antimicrobial resistance genes represents a particular challenge for treatment in clinical settings, whereas the spread of pathogens resistant to last resort antibiotics should raise an alarm in the healthcare system worldwide.
Different MALDI-TOF MS databases were evaluated for the identification of Achromobacter species. The in-house and extended database generated in this study rendered more accurate identification ...(58/64 and 57/64 isolates, respectively) in comparison with the Bruker commercial database (42/64 isolates), especially in those infrequent species that are not available or poorly represented.
•MALDI-TOF MS proved to be a reliable identification tool at the genus level in Achromobacter•Expansion of MALDI-TOF MS databases rendered more accurate identification at species level•Discriminatory peaks were selected in order to differentiate among highly related species