Pathogenic and commensal Escherichia coli from irrigation water show potential in transmission of extended spectrum and AmpC β-lactamases determinants to isolates from lettuce
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Date
Authors
Njage, Patrick Murigu Kamau
Buys, E.M. (Elna Maria)
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Wiley Open Access
Abstract
There are few studies on the presence of extendedspectrum
β-lactamases and AmpC β-lactamases
(ESBL/AmpC) in bacteria that contaminate vegetables.
The role of the production environment in ESBL/
AmpC gene transmission is poorly understood. The
occurrence of ESBL/AmpC in Escherichia coli (n = 46)
from lettuce and irrigation water and the role of irrigation
water in the transmission of resistant E. coli
were studied. The presence of ESBL/AmpC, genetic
similarity and phylogeny were typed using genotypic
and phenotypic techniques. The frequency of
β-lactamase gene transfer was studied in vitro.
ESBLs/AmpC were detected in 35 isolates (76%).
Fourteen isolates (30%) produced both ESBLs/AmpC.
Prevalence was highest in E. coli from lettuce (90%).
Twenty-two isolates (48%) were multi-resistant with
between two and five ESBL/AmpC genes. The major
ESBL determinant was the CTX-M type (34 isolates).
DHA (33% of isolates) were the dominant AmpC β
lactamases. There was a high conjugation efficiency
among the isolates, ranging from 3.5 × 10−2 to
1 × 10−2 ± 1.4 × 10−1 transconjugants per recipient.
Water isolates showed a significantly higher conjugation
frequency than those from lettuce. A high degree
of genetic relatedness between E. coli from irrigation
water and lettuce indicated possible common ancestry
and pathway of transmission.
Description
Keywords
Bacteria, Vegetables, Escherichia coli, Lettuce
Sustainable Development Goals
Citation
Njage, PMK & Buys EM 2014, 'Pathogenic and commensal Escherichia coli from irrigation water show potential in transmission of extended spectrum and AmpC β-lactamases determinants to isolates from lettuce', Microbial Biotechnology, vol. 8, no. 3, pp. 462-473.