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Identification, Typing and Drug Resistance of Cronobacter spp. in Powdered Infant Formula and Processing Environment
Hongxuan Li1, Shiqian Fu2, Danliangmin Song1
1Key Laboratory of Dairy Science, Ministry of Education, Department of Food Science, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China.
Insights
Cronobacter bacteria in powdered infant formula pose health risks. This study reveals their multidrug resistance mechanisms, crucial for developing new treatments and preventing infant infections.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Food Safety
- Genetics
Background:
- Cronobacter spp. are foodborne pathogens causing severe infant diseases.
- Powdered infant formula (PIF) is a key contamination source, with processing environments being significant reservoirs.
- Understanding Cronobacter's resistance is vital for public health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize Cronobacter strains from PIF and processing environments.
- To analyze antibiotic resistance patterns and identify resistance mechanisms.
- To investigate the genetic and metabolic basis of multidrug resistance in Cronobacter.
Main Methods:
- 16S rRNA sequencing and multilocus sequence typing (MLST) for strain identification.
- Antibiotic resistance profiling.
- Transcriptomic analysis to identify differentially expressed genes.
- Metabolic pathway analysis.
Main Results:
- 35 Cronobacter strains were identified, including three novel sequence types.
- All strains were resistant to erythromycin and sensitive to ciprofloxacin.
- 68.57% of strains exhibited multidrug resistance, with some showing resistance to 13 drugs.
- 77 differentially expressed genes related to drug resistance were identified.
- Cronobacter activates multidrug efflux systems via chemotaxis gene regulation under antibiotic pressure.
Conclusions:
- Cronobacter strains in PIF environments display significant multidrug resistance.
- The study elucidates a mechanism involving the activation of efflux pumps regulated by chemotaxis genes.
- Findings are critical for guiding antibacterial drug selection, developing new therapies, and controlling Cronobacter infections.
Abstract:
Cronobacter spp. is a food-borne pathogenic microorganism that can cause serious diseases such as meningitis, sepsis, and necrotizing colitis in infants and young children. Powdered infant formula (PIF) is one of the main contamination routes, in which the processing environment is an important source of pollution. In this investigation, 35 Cronobacter strains isolated from PIF and its processing environment were identified and typed by 16S rRNA sequencing and multilocus sequence typing (MLST) technology. A total of 35 sequence types were obtained, and three new sequence types were isolated for the first time. The antibiotic resistance was analyzed, showing that all isolates were resistant to erythromycin but sensitive to ciprofloxacin. Multi-drug resistant strains accounted for 68.57% of the total, among which Cronobacter strains with the strongest drug resistance reached 13 multiple drug resistance. Combined with transcriptomics, 77 differentially expressed genes related to drug resistance were identified. The metabolic pathways were deeply excavated, and under the stimulation of antibiotic conditions, Cronobacter strains can activate the multidrug efflux system by regulating the expression of chemotaxis-related genes, thus, secreting more drug efflux proteins to enhance drug resistance. The study of drug resistance of Cronobacter and its mechanism has important public health significance for the rational selection of existing antibacterial drugs, the development of new antibacterial drugs to reduce the occurrence of bacterial resistance, and the control and treatment of infections caused by Cronobacter.
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