Dissemination of quinolone resistant Escherichia coli in the Norwegian broiler and pig production chain, and possible persistence in the broiler production environment.

Dissemination of quinolone resistant Escherichia coli in the Norwegian broiler and pig production chain, and possible persistence in the broiler production environment. Appl Environ Microbiol. 2020 Jan 17;: Authors: Kaspersen H, Sekse C, Fiskebeck EZ, Slettemeås JS, Simm R, Norström M, Urdahl AM, Lagesen K Abstract In Norway, the use of quinolones in livestock populations is very low, and prophylactic use is prohibited. Despite this, quinolone resistant E. coli (QREC) are present at low levels in several animal species. The source of these QREC is unknown. The aim of this study was to characterize and compare QREC from different animal species to identify putative factors that may promote the occurrence of QREC. A total of 280 QREC isolates, from broilers, pigs, red foxes and wild birds, were whole genome sequenced and analysed. Well-known chromosomal and plasmid-mediated resistance mechanisms were identified. In addition, mutations in marR, marA and rpoB causing novel amino acid substitutions in their respective proteins were detected. Phylogenetic analyses were used to determine the relationships between the isolates. Quinolone resistance mechanism patterns appeared to follow sequence type groups. Similar QREC isolates with similar resistance mechanism patterns were detected from the samples, and further phylogenetic analysis indicated close evolutionary relationships between specific isolates from different sources. This suggest...
Source: Applied and Environmental Microbiology - Category: Microbiology Authors: Tags: Appl Environ Microbiol Source Type: research