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Associations between multidrug resistance, plasmid content, and virulence potential among extraintestinal pathogenic

Timothy J Johnson1, Catherine M Logue, James R Johnson

  • 1Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, USA.

Foodborne Pathogens and Disease
|October 13, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Avian Escherichia coli are reservoirs for multidrug resistance (MDR), posing a threat to human health. MDR in E. coli is linked to specific plasmids and virulence genes, particularly in poultry.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Genetics
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Plasmid-mediated multidrug resistance (MDR) in enteric bacteria is a significant global health concern.
  • Avian Escherichia coli are increasingly recognized as potential reservoirs for antimicrobial resistance genes, impacting both animal and human health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate antimicrobial resistance profiles in human and avian E. coli isolates.
  • To identify associations between multidrug resistance, plasmid types, virulence factors, and phylogenetic groups in E. coli.
  • To determine if avian E. coli act as reservoirs for multidrug-resistant extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC).

Main Methods:

  • Antimicrobial susceptibility testing of 2202 human and avian E. coli isolates.
  • Analysis of plasmid content, virulence factor genes, and phylogenetic grouping.
  • Comparative analysis of resistance profiles between human and avian isolates, including ExPEC and commensal strains.

Main Results:

  • Avian E. coli isolates exhibited higher rates of MDR compared to human isolates.
  • MDR was significantly associated with specific plasmid types (IncA/C, IncP1-α, IncF, IncI1) and certain virulence genes (e.g., ireA, ibeA, fyuA).
  • Avian and human E. coli populations, including ExPEC and commensals, formed distinct groups, suggesting limited overlap.

Conclusions:

  • Multidrug resistance in extraintestinal E. coli is predominantly plasmid-mediated.
  • Avian E. coli, especially from poultry, are important reservoirs for MDR plasmids.
  • These findings highlight the role of poultry production systems in the dissemination of antimicrobial resistance.

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