Residual concentrations of antimicrobial growth promoters in poultry litter favour plasmid conjugation among Escherichia coli

Author(s)

Saraiva, M. M. S. ; Silva, N. M., V ; Ferreira, V. A. ; Moreira Filho, A. L. B. ; Givisiez, P. E. N. ; Neto, O. C. Freitas ; Junior, A. Berchieri ; Gebreyes, W. A. ; Oliveira, C. J. B.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Letters in Applied Microbiology; v. 74, n. 5, p. 8-pg., 2022-02-21.

Abstract

Considering that plasmid conjugation is a major driver for the dissemination of antimicrobial resistance in bacteria, this study aimed to investigate the effects of residual concentrations of antimicrobial growth promoters (AGPs) in poultry litter on the frequencies of IncFII-FIB plasmid conjugation among Escherichia coli organisms. A 2 x 5 factorial trial was performed in vitro, using two types of litter materials (sugarcane bagasse and wood shavings) and five treatments of litter: non-treated (CON), herbal alkaloid sanguinarine (SANG), AGPs monensin (MON), lincomycin (LCM) and virginiamycin (VIR). E. coli H2332 and E. coli J62 were used as donor and recipient strains, respectively. The presence of residues of monensin, lincomycin and virginiamycin increased the frequency of plasmid conjugation among E. coli in both types of litter materials. On the contrary, sanguinarine significantly reduced the frequency of conjugation among E. coli in sugarcane bagasse litter. The conjugation frequencies were significantly higher in wood shavings compared with sugarcane bagasse only in the presence of AGPs. Considering that the presence of AGPs in the litter can increase the conjugation of IncFII-FIB plasmids carrying antimicrobial resistance genes, the real impact of this phenomenon on the dissemination of antimicrobial resistant bacteria in the poultry production chain must be investigated. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 18/03189-0 - Evaluation of avian infection (Gallus gallus domesticus) by Salmonella enteritidis, Salmonella typhimurium and Salmonella heidelberg containing deletion of the ttrA and pduA genes
• Grantee: Angelo Berchieri Junior
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 18/21301-2 - Evaluation of avian infection (Gallus gallus domesticus) by Salmonella enteritidis, Salmonella typhimurium and Salmonella heidelberg containing deletion of the ttrA and pduA genet
• Grantee: Mauro de Mesquita Souza Saraiva
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral