Molecular characterisation of multi-drug resistant Escherichia coli of bovine origin

João Anes, Scott V. Nguyen*, Athmanya K. Eshwar, Evonne McCabe, Guerrino Macori, Daniel Hurley, Angelika Lehner, Séamus Fanning

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

13 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance reported in bacteria of animal origin is considered a major challenge to veterinary public health. In this study, the genotypic and phenotypic characterisation of twelve Escherichia coli isolates of bovine origin is reported. Twelve bacterial isolates of animal origin were selected from a previous study based on their multidrug resistant (MDR) profile. Efflux pump activity was measured using ethidium bromide (EtBr) and the biofilm forming ability of the individual strains was assessed using a number of phenotypic assays. All isolates were resistant to tetracyclines and a number of isolates expressed resistance to fluoroquinolones which was also confirmed in silico by the presence of these resistance markers. Amino acid substitutions in the quinolone resistance-determining regions were identified in all isolates and the presence of several siderophores were also noted. Whole genomesequence (WGS) data showed different STs that were not associated with epidemic STs or virulent clonal complexes. Seven isolates formed biofilms in minimal media with some isolates showing better adaptation at 25 °C while others at 37 °C. The capacity to efflux EtBr was found to be high in 4 isolates and impaired in 4 others. The pathogenicity of three selected isolates was assessed in zebrafish embryo infection models, revealing isolates CFS0355 and CFS0356 as highly pathogenic. These results highlight the application of NGS technologies combined with phenotypic assays in providing a better understanding of E. coli of bovine origin and their adaptation to this niche environment.

Original languageEnglish
Article number108566
JournalVeterinary Microbiology
Volume242
Early online date17 Jan 2020
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2020

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
The financial support through the research grant 11/F/051 provided by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), Ireland , is acknowledged. Similarly, the Food Institutional Research Measure (FIRM) Network & Team Building Initiative 2006 is also acknowledged. Appendix A

Funding Information:
The financial support through the research grant 11/F/051 provided by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), Ireland, is acknowledged. Similarly, the Food Institutional Research Measure (FIRM) Network & Team Building Initiative 2006 is also acknowledged.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2020 Elsevier B.V.

Keywords

  • Antimicrobial resistance
  • Biofilm
  • Escherichia coli
  • Whole genome analysis

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Microbiology
  • General Veterinary

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