Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamases (ESBL) Producing Bacteria in Animals

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Microbiology
• Antimicrobial Resistance
• One Health

Background:

• Animals serve as reservoirs for antimicrobial resistance genes, facilitating bacterial spread via plasmids.
• Previous reviews focused narrowly on specific bacteria or animal types, limiting a holistic understanding.
• Comprehensive data on extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing bacteria in diverse animal populations is lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compile and review studies on ESBL-producing bacteria isolated from various animal sources globally.
• To provide a comprehensive overview of the prevalence and types of ESBL-producing bacteria in animals.
• To highlight the significance of the One Health approach in combating antimicrobial resistance.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature search of PubMed from January 1, 2020, to June 30, 2022.
• Inclusion of studies reporting ESBL-producing bacteria isolated from animal reservoirs.
• Data synthesis on bacterial species, animal sources, geographic distribution, and ESBL gene types.

Main Results:

• ESBL-producing bacteria are globally distributed in animal populations, with farm animals being the most common source.
• Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae were the most frequently identified ESBL-producing bacteria.
• The most prevalent ESBL genes detected were blaTEM, blaSHV, and blaCTX-M.

Conclusions:

• The widespread presence of ESBL-producing bacteria in animals underscores the urgent need for a One Health strategy.
• Further research is essential to elucidate the epidemiology and transmission dynamics of these bacteria in animals.
• Understanding these dynamics is critical for mitigating the impact of antimicrobial resistance on both human and animal health.