Clinically Relevant Escherichiacoli Isolates from Process Waters and Wastewater of Poultry and Pig Slaughterhouses in Germany

Microorganisms

JensAndre Hammerl¹  Silvia Schmoger¹  Annemarie Käsbohrer¹  RicardaMaria Schmithausen²  Esther Sib²  Gabriele Bierbaum³  Judith Kreyenschmidt⁴  Mykhailo Savin⁴ 

[1] Department for Biological Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, 10589 Berlin, Germany;Institute for Hygiene and Public Health, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, 53113 Bonn, Germany;Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, 53113 Bonn, Germany;Institute of Animal Sciences, University of Bonn, 53113 Bonn, Germany;

关键词: E. coli;    ExPEC;    UPEC;    virulence;    MDR;    resistance;   

DOI  :  10.3390/microorganisms9040698

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Escherichia coli is frequently associated with multiple antimicrobial resistances and a major cause of bacterial extraintestinal infections in livestock and humans. However, data on the epidemiology of (i) multidrug-resistant (MDR) and (ii) extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC) in poultry and pig slaughterhouses in Germany is currently lacking. Selected E. coli isolates (n = 71) with phenotypic resistance to cephalosporins from two poultry and two pig slaughterhouses expressing high MDR rates (combined resistance to piperacillin, cefotaxime and/or ceftazidime, and ciprofloxacin) of 51.4% and 58.3%, respectively, were analyzed by whole-genome sequencing. They constituted a reservoir for 53 different antimicrobial resistance determinants and were assigned various sequence types, including high-risk clones involved in human infections worldwide. An ExPEC pathotype was detected in 17.1% and 5.6% of the isolates from poultry and pig slaughterhouses, respectively. Worryingly, they were recovered from scalding water and eviscerators, indicating an increased risk for cross-contaminations. Uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) were detected in the effluent of an in-house wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) of a poultry slaughterhouse, facilitating their further dissemination into surface waters. Our study provides important information on the molecular characteristics of (i) MDR, as well as (ii) ExPEC and UPEC regarding their clonal structure, antimicrobial resistance and virulence factors. Based on their clinical importance and pathogenic potential, the risk of slaughterhouse employees’ exposure cannot be ruled out. Through cross-contamination, these MDR E. coli pathotypes may be introduced into the food chain. Moreover, inadequate wastewater treatment may contribute to the dissemination of UPEC into surface waters, as shown for other WWTPs.

【 授权许可】

Unknown