Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of virulence and antimicrobial resistance genes and clonal profile of Enterobacteriaceae isolated from calves, cows, feeding buckets and the milk bucket. A a total of 31 Enterobacteriaceae isolates from calves (6), milk bucket (6), feeding buckets (6) and from cows’ rectum (13) were used. The presence of LT, STa, STb, STx1, STx2, eae, rmpA, wabG, mrkD, kfu, mcgA, fimH and uge as well as the antimicrobial resistance genes: AmpC MOX, FOX, MIR, ACT, DHA, ACC, CTX-M-1, CTX-M2, TEM KPC and MCR-1 and SH were evaluated by PCR. The LT toxin gene were detected in five isolates (16.1%) and the mrkD gene was detected in three isolates (9.0%). The CTX-M-1 gene was detected in 13 isolates (41.9%), CTX-M-2 in five isolates (16.1%) and ACC-M in four isolates (12.9%). Most of the isolates obtained demonstrated, resistance to cephalothin (87.5%), ampicillin, (87.5%) and streptomycin (84.3%) with multidrug resistance observed in all isolates. Isolates from bucket and cow’s rectum, calves and milk bucket, calf and cow’s rectum shared the same pulsotypes. These findings may suggest that enterobacteria carring virulence and resistance genes may persist in the environment and became a reservoir of these genes.

RESUMO: A indústria avícola brasileira gera grandes quantidades de resíduos orgânicos, como a cama de frango, utilizada frequentemente na agricultura. Entre as bactérias presentes neste fertilizante orgânico estão os membros da família Enterobacteriaceae, entre eles a Escherichia coli. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar o perfil de fatores de virulência e resistência antimicrobiana de isolados de E. coli provenientes do fertilizante orgânico aviário. Um total de 47 cepas de E. coli foram testadas por meio da reação em cadeia da polimerase para detectar genes de virulência (hlyF, iss, ompT, iutA e iroN). Quatorze antimicrobianos foram utilizados para testar a susceptibilidade antimicrobiana nos isolados. Genes característicos de E. coli Patogênica Aviária (APEC) foram encontrados entre os isolados, sendo os genes hlyF, iss e ompT os mais prevalentes. Os isolados apresentaram alta resistência (˃50%) à tetraciclina, gentamicina, cefotaxima, nitrofurantoína, trimetoprima-sulfametoxazole e ampicilina. Múltipla resistência a drogas antimicrobianas foi encontrada em grande número de isolados (>70%). Os resultados obtidos mostraram a presença de células APEC portando genes de virulência e resistência a antimicrobianos após 15 dias de processo de empilhamento nas granjas, indicando que o processo necessita de um aperfeiçoamento para eliminar estas células.

ABSTRACT: Brazilian poultry industry generates large amounts of organic waste, such as chicken litter, which is often used in agriculture. Among the bacteria present in organic fertilizer are members of the Enterobacteriaceae family, such as Escherichia coli. The aim of this study was to analyze the profile of virulence factors and antimicrobial resistance of E. coli isolates from avian organic fertilizer. A total of 47 E. coli strains were tested through Polymerase chain reaction to detect virulence genes (hlyF, iss, ompT, iutA and iroN). Fourteen antimicrobials were used to test antimicrobial susceptibility in the strains. Genes characteristic of Avian Pathogenic E. coli (APEC) were reported among the strains, with the hlyF, iss and ompT genes being the most prevalent. The isolates showed high resistance (˃50%) to tetracycline, gentamicin, cefotaxime, nitrofurantoin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and ampicillin. Multidrug resistance was reported in a great number of strains (>70%). The results showed the presence of APEC cells with virulence genes and antimicrobial resistance after 15 days of the windrowing process in poultry houses, it means this process should be improved to eliminate these cells.

ABSTRACT Shigatoxigenic and enteropathogenic Escherichia coli with virulence and multidrug resistance profile were isolated from Nile tilapia. This study finding is of great importance to public health because they help understand this pathogen epidemiology in fish and demonstrate how these animals can transmit E. coli related diseases to humans.

Abstract Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) isolates from apparently healthy free range helmeted guineafowl were characterized. Most of them had a high frequency of virulence associated genes, multi drug resistance and high pathogenicity. We demonstrated that helmeted guineafowl have potential to transmit antibiotic resistant APEC to other species including humans.