| Full text | |
| Author(s): |
Lopes, Ralf
[1]
;
Fuentes-Castillo, Danny
[2, 3]
;
Fontana, Herrison
[4, 3]
;
Rodrigues, Larissa
[4, 3]
;
Dantas, Karine
[1]
;
Cerdeira, Louise
[5]
;
Henriques, Isabel
[6, 7]
;
Lincopan, Nilton
[1, 4, 3]
Total Authors: 8
|
| Affiliation: | [1] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Biomed Sci, Dept Microbiol, Sao Paulo - Brazil
[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Sch Vet Med & Anim Sci, Dept Pathol, Sao Paulo - Brazil
[3] One Hlth Brazilian Resistance Project OneBR, Sao Paulo - Brazil
[4] Univ Sao Paulo, Sch Pharm, Dept Clin Anal, Sao Paulo - Brazil
[5] Monash Univ, Cent Clin Sch, Dept Infect Dis, Melbourne, Vic - Australia
[6] Univ Coimbra, Fac Sci & Technol, Dept Life Sci, Coimbra - Portugal
[7] Univ Aveiro, Ctr Environm & Marine Studies CESAM, Aveiro - Portugal
Total Affiliations: 7
|
| Document type: | Journal article |
| Source: | MSYSTEMS; v. 6, n. 1 JAN-FEB 2021. |
| Web of Science Citations: | 1 |
| Abstract | |
The global spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and their resistance genes is a critical issue that is no longer restricted to hospital settings, but also represents a growing problem involving environmental and food safety. In this study, we have performed a microbiological and genomic investigation of critical priority pathogens resistant to broad-spectrum cephalosporins and showing endophytic lifestyles in fresh vegetables sold in a country with high endemicity of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs). We report the isolation of international high-risk clones of CTX-M-15-producing Escherichia coli, belonging to clonal complexes CC38 and CC648, and Klebsiella pneumoniae of complex CC307 from macerated tissue of surface-sterilized leaves of spinach, cabbage, arugula, and lettuce. Regardless of species, all ESBL-positive isolates were able to endophytically colonize common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) seedlings, showed resistance to acid pH, and had a multidrug-resistant (MDR) profile to clinically relevant antibiotics (i.e., broad-spectrum cephalosporins, aminoglycosides, and fluoroquinolones). Genomic analysis of CTX-M-producing endophytic Enrerobacrerales revealed a wide resistome (antibiotics, biocides, disinfectants, and pesticides) and virulome, and genes for endophytic fitness and for withstanding acidic conditions. Transferable IncFIB and IncHI2A plasmids carried bla(CTX-M-15) genes and, additionally, an IncFIB plasmid (named pKP301cro) also harbored genes encoding resistance to heavy metals. These data support the hypothesis that fresh vegetables marketed for consumption can act as a figurative Trojan horse for the hidden spread of international clones of critical WHO priority pathogens producing ESBLs, and/or their resistance genes, to humans and other animals, which is a critical issue within a food safety and broader public and environmental health perspective. IMPORTANCE Extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL)-producing Enterobacrerales are a leading cause of human and animal infections, being classified as critical priority pathogens by the World Health Organization. Epidemiological studies have shown that spread of ESBL-producing bacteria is not a problem restricted to hospitals, but also represents a growing problem involving environmental and food safety. In this regard, CTX-M-type beta-lactamases have become the most widely distributed and clinically relevant ESBLs worldwide. Here, we have investigated the occurrence and genomic features of ESBL-producing Enterobacterales in surface-sterilized fresh vegetables. We have uncovered that international high-risk clones of CTX-M-15-producing Escherichia coil and Klebsiella pneumoniae harboring a wide resistome and virulome, carry additional genes for endophytic fitness and resistance to acidic conditions. Furthermore, we have demonstrated that these CTX-M-15-positive isolates are able to endophytically colonize plant tissues. Therefore, we believe that fresh vegetables can act as a figurative Trojan horse for the hidden spread of critical priority pathogens exhibiting endophytic lifestyles. (AU) | |
| FAPESP's process: | 16/08593-9 - Pan-Resistome of beta-lactamase (KPC-2, CTX-M-8, CTX-M-15)-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli isolates endemic in Brazil |
| Grantee: | Nilton Erbet Lincopan Huenuman |
| Support Opportunities: | Regular Research Grants |
| FAPESP's process: | 15/21325-0 - Comparative analysis of the resistome of Klebsiella pneumoniae XDR (NDM-1/KPC-2) belonging to the endemic high-risk clonal complex CC258 |
| Grantee: | Louise Teixeira Cerdeira |
| Support Opportunities: | Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate |