Quézia Moura

Silent dissemination of colistin-resistant Escherichia coli in South America could contribute to the global spread of the mcr-1 gene.

During a Brazilian multicentric antimicrobial resistance surveillance study, colistin resistance was investigated in 4,620 Enterobacteriaceae isolated from human, animal, food and environmental samples collected from 2000 to 2016. We present evidence that mcr-1-positive Escherichia coli has been emerging in South America since at least 2012, supporting a previous report on the possible acquisition of mcr-1-harbouring E. coli by European travellers visiting Latin American countries.

First Report of the Globally Disseminated IncX4 Plasmid Carrying the mcr-1 Gene in a Colistin-Resistant Escherichia coli Sequence Type 101 Isolate from a Human Infection in Brazil

ABSTRACT A colistin-resistant Escherichia coli strain was recovered from a patient with a diabetic foot infection in Brazil. Whole-genome analysis revealed that the E. coli isolate belonged to the widespread sequence type (ST) 101 and harbored the mcr-1 gene on an IncX4 plasmid that was highly similar to mcr-1-bearing IncX4 plasmids that were recently identified in Enterobacteriaceae from food, animal, and human samples recovered on different continents. These results suggest that self-transmissible IncX4-type plasmids may represent promiscuous plasmids contributing to the intercontinental spread of the mcr-1 gene.

Virulent nontyphoidal Salmonella producing CTX-M and CMY-2 β-lactamases from livestock, food and human infection, Brazil.

Qu ezia Moura, Miriam R. Fernandes, Ketrin C. Silva, Daniel F. Monte, Fernanda Esposito, Milena Dropa, C esar Noronha, Andrea M. Moreno, Mariza Landgraf, F abio J. Negr~ao, and Nilton Lincopan a,b Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade de S~ao Paulo, S~ao Paulo, Brazil; Department of Clinical Analysis, School of Pharmacy, Universidade de S~ao Paulo, S~ao Paulo, Brazil; School of Veterinary Medicine, Universidade de S~ao Paulo, S~ao Paulo, Brazil; Food and Experimental Nutrition Department, School of Pharmacy & Food Research Center, Universidade de S~ao Paulo, S~ao Paulo, Brazil; Public Health Laboratory, School of Public Health, Universidade de S~ao Paulo, S~ao Paulo, Brazil; State Center for Clinical Analysis, S~ao Paulo, S~ao Paulo, Brazil; Health Sciences Research Laboratory, School of Health Sciences, Universidade Federal da Grande Dourados, Dourados, Brazil

Zooanthroponotic Transmission of Drug-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Brazil

We recovered VIM-2 carbapenemase-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates from an infected dog, its owner, and the domestic environment. Genomic investigation revealed household transmission of the high-risk hospital clone sequence type 233 in the human–animal–environment interface. Results suggest zooanthroponotic transmission of VIM-2–producing P. aeruginosa in the household following the patients hospital discharge.

Draft genome sequence of Enterobacter cloacae ST520 harbouring blaKPC-2, blaCTX-M-15 and blaOXA-17 isolated from coastal waters of the South Atlantic Ocean

OBJECTIVES Aquatic environments have contributed to the dissemination of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria, representing a risk for humans and animals. The aim of this study was to report the first draft genome sequence of a MDR Enterobacter cloacae strain recovered from seawater in a public beach in Brazil. METHODS The genome was sequenced on an Illumina MiSeq platform. De novo genome assembly was performed using SPAdes 3.10.1 and the whole genome sequence was analysed using bioinformatics tools from the Center of Genomic Epidemiology. RESULTS This draft genome resulted in 5 228 857bp with 5331 protein-coding sequences, revealing the presence of blaKPC-2, blaCTX-M-15 and blaOXA-17 genes, responsible for resistance to all β-lactam antibiotics. In addition, the strain was assigned to sequenced type 520 (ST520). CONCLUSION These data provide useful information for comparative genomic analysis regarding the dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes.

Draft genome sequence of a CTX-M-8, CTX-M-55 and FosA3 co-producing Escherichia coli ST117/B2 isolated from an asymptomatic carrier

OBJECTIVES Asymptomatic carriers can act as reservoirs of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria. The aim of this study was to describe the draft genome sequence of a MDR Escherichia coli lineage recovered from a faecal sample of a healthy carrier. METHODS Genomic DNA was sequenced on an Illumina NextSeq platform. Sequence reads were de novo assembled using CLC Genomics Workbench and the whole genome sequence was evaluated through bioinformatics tools available from the Center of Genomic Epidemiology as well as additional in silico analysis. RESULTS The genome size was calculated as 5178340 bp, with 5442 protein-coding sequences and 5492 total genes. Presence of the blaCTX-M-8, blaCTX-M-55 and fosA3 genes was detected in addition to other antimicrobial resistance genes. Interestingly, the strain was assigned to serotype O8:H4-fimH97 and was classified within the highly virulent phylogroup B2. CONCLUSION This draft genome can provide helpful information to elucidate genetic features that contribute to colonisation and adaptation of MDR and virulent pathogens in asymptomatic carriers.

Authors' reply: Escherichia coli harbouring mcr-1 gene isolated from poultry not exposed to polymyxins in Brazil.

To the editor: The foregoing letter by Lentz et al. examined the occurrence of the mcr-1 gene in Escherichia coli isolates recovered from chicken cloacal swabs collected between August and October of 2015, from a poultry slaughterhouse in southern Brazil [1], providing valuable additional data on the epidemiology of this novel gene. Of 343 animals screened, 10 (3%) different chickens belonging to three flocks from three different breeders were found with mcr-1 positive E. coli isolates [1]. None of these chickens had been reportedly exposed to polymyxins (as growth promoter) [1]. The authors therefore considered their findings as contradicting the plausible hypothesis that the emergence of the mcr-1 gene is linked to the use of polymyxins in animal feed in Brazilian livestock [2], suggesting that others compounds or factors may also be involved in the selection of this gene.

Extended-spectrum-β-lactamase (CTX-M)-producing Escherichia coli in wild fishes from a polluted area in the Atlantic Coast of South America

The presence of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli in oceanic ecosystems constitutes an emerging public health risks in the marine environment. In this study, we report for the first time the identification of ESBL (CTX-M)-producing E. coli in wild fishes from a polluted area in the South Atlantic coast of Brazil, where a genomic analysis confirm the presence of livestock and human E. coli lineages belonging to sequence types (STs) ST744 and ST746, which carried clinically relevant resistance genes for human and veterinary antibiotics, and heavy metals. These findings reveal the presence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria in the gut microbiota of wild fishes living in polluted coastal waters, alerting that microbial contamination by bacteria related directly and indirectly to human or animal activities could affect the safety of the seafood supply, as well as the commercial and recreational use of coastal marine waters.

Draft genome sequence of an extensively drug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolate belonging to ST644 isolated from a footpad infection in a Magellanic penguin (Spheniscus magellanicus)

OBJECTIVES The incidence of multidrug-resistant bacteria in wildlife animals has been investigated to improve our knowledge of the spread of clinically relevant antimicrobial resistance genes. The aim of this study was to report the first draft genome sequence of an extensively drug-resistant (XDR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa ST644 isolate recovered from a Magellanic penguin with a footpad infection (bumblefoot) undergoing rehabilitation process. METHODS The genome was sequenced on an Illumina NextSeq® platform using 150-bp paired-end reads. De novo genome assembly was performed using Velvet v.1.2.10, and the whole genome sequence was evaluated using bioinformatics approaches from the Center of Genomic Epidemiology, whereas an in-house method (mapping of raw whole genome sequence reads) was used to identify chromosomal point mutations. RESULTS The genome size was calculated at 6436450bp, with 6357 protein-coding sequences and the presence of genes conferring resistance to aminoglycosides, β-lactams, phenicols, sulphonamides, tetracyclines, quinolones and fosfomycin; in addition, mutations in the genes gyrA (Thr83Ile), parC (Ser87Leu), phoQ (Arg61His) and pmrB (Tyr345His), conferring resistance to quinolones and polymyxins, respectively, were confirmed. CONCLUSION This draft genome sequence can provide useful information for comparative genomic analysis regarding the dissemination of clinically significant antibiotic resistance genes and XDR bacterial species at the human-animal interface.

Draft genome sequence of a blaCMY-2/IncI1-harbouring Escherichia coli D:ST457 isolated from coastal benthic organisms

OBJECTIVES Marine bivalves can act as bioindicators of marine environment pollution by multidrug-resistant (MDR) enteric bacteria of medical interest. The aim of this study was to report the draft genome sequence of a plasmid-encoded AmpC (pAmpC) (CMY-2)-carrying Escherichia coli isolate recovered from a marine bivalve sample in the coastal shore of Southeast Brazil. METHODS The whole genome was sequenced on an Illumina NextSeq platform and was assembled using Velvet v.1.2.10. Data analysis was carried out using tools available from the Center of Genomic Epidemiology and Geneious R10 software. RESULTS The genome size was calculated at 5198055bp, comprising a total of 5316 protein-coding sequences. The strain was assigned to ST457 and presented the blaCMY-2 pAmpC gene. In addition, the strain was clustered into the pathogenic phylogenetic group D. CONCLUSION The release of this draft genome sequence can provide valuable information to better understand the dissemination of MDR enteric bacteria in marine environments.