Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli survey in wild seabirds at a pristine atoll in the southern Atlantic Ocean, Brazil: First report of the O25b-ST131 clone harboring bla(CTX-M-8)

Author(s)

Ewbank, Ana Carolina ^[1] ; Fuentes-Castillo, Danny ^{[2, 1]} ; Sacristan, Carlos ^[1] ; Cardoso, Brenda ^{[3, 2]} ; Esposito, Fernanda ^{[4, 2]} ; Fuga, Bruna ^{[3, 4, 2]} ; de Macedo, Eduardo Cavalcante ^[5] ; Lincopan, Nilton ^{[3, 4, 2]} ; Catao-Dias, Jose Luiz ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Sch Vet Med & Anim Sci, Dept Pathol, Lab Wildlife Comparat Pathol, Ave Prof Orlando Marques de Paiva 87, BR-05508010 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[2] One Hlth Brazilian Resistance Project OneBR, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Biomed Sci, Dept Microbiol, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[4] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Pharm, Dept Clin Anal, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[5] Brazilian Minist Environm, Chico Mendes Inst Biodivers Conservat ICMBio, Rocas Atol Biol Reserve, Natal, RN - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Science of The Total Environment; v. 806, n. 2 FEB 1 2022.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance is among the most serious public health threats of the 21st century, with great impact in terms of One Health. Among antimicrobial resistant bacteria (ARB), extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli (ESBL-EC) represent major challenges to human healthcare. Wild birds have been commonly used as environmental bioindicators of ESBL-EC. Remote locations represent a unique opportunity to evaluate the occurrence, dissemination and epidemiology of ARB in the environment. Herein we surveyed ESBL-EC in 204 cloacal swabs from six nonsynanthropic seabird species at the pristine Rocas Atoll, Brazil. We identified ESBL-EC isolates in 2.4% (5/204) of the tested seabirds, all in magnificent frigatebirds (Fregata magnificens). We isolated strains of O25b-ST131-fimH22 harboring gene bla(CTX-M-8) (3 clones), ST117 harboring gene bla(SHV-12), and a novel ST11350 (clonal complex 349) harboring genes blaCTX-M-55 and fosA3. All the isolates presented Extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC) virulence profiles. We suggest that magnificent frigatebirds may act as ``flying bridges{''}, transporting ESBL-EC and ARGs from an anthropogenically-impacted archipelago geographically close to our pristine and remote study site. The characteristics of our isolates suggest zoonotic potential and, despite the apparent good health of all the evaluated birds, may represent a hypothetical potential threat to the avian population using the atoll. To our knowledge, this is the first description of: (1) the pandemic and public health relevant ST131-O25b harboring bla(CTX-M-8) worldwide; (2) ST131-fimH22 in wild birds; and (3); fosA3 in wildlife. Our findings expand the current epidemiological knowledge regarding host and geographical distribution of ESBL-EC and ARGs in wild birds, and emphasize the disseminating characteristics and adaptability of ST131 and ST117 strains within the human-animal-interface. Herein we discuss the involvement of nonsynanthropic wild birds in the epidemiology of antimicrobial resistance and their potential as sentinels of ESBL E. coli in insular environments. (C) 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 19/15578-4 - Virulome and pathogenicity of carbapenem- and polymyxin-resistant priority pathogens
• Grantee: Fernanda Ribeiro dos Santos Esposito
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 18/25069-7 - Study and characterization of selected emerging viral agents and potentially associated with hepatopathies in coastal, pelagic and mixed habitat cetaceans in Brazil
• Grantee: Carlos Sacristan Yague
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral