Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology (Sep 2024)
Genetic landscape of ESBL producing international clone ST410 of Escherichia coli from pediatric infections in Shenzhen, China
Abstract
BackgroundThe emergence of ESBLs producing cephalosporin-resistant Escherichia coli isolates poses a threat to public health. This study aims to decipher the genetic landscape and gain insights into ESBL-producing E. coli strains belonging to the high-risk clone ST410 from pediatric patients.Methods29 E. coli ST410 isolates were collected from young children and subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing, Whole-genome sequencing (WGS), serotype analysis, MLST, ESBL genes, virulence genes, and plasmid profiling.ResultsAntimicrobial susceptibility testing demonstrated a high level of resistance to cephalosporins followed by aminoglycoside, sulfonamide, carbapenem and penicillin group of antibiotics. However, n=20/29 shows MDR phenotype. Phylogenetic group B2 (n=15) dominated, followed by group D (n=7), group A (n=4), and group B1 (n=3). Serotyping analysis identified O1:H7 (n=8), O2:H1 (n=6), O8:H4 (n=5), O16:H5 (n=4), and O25:H4 (n=3). Other serotypes identified included O6:H1, O15:H5, and O18:H7 (n=1 each). The most commonly detected ESBL genes were blaCTX-M, (n=26), followed by blaTEM (n=23), and blaSHV (n=18). Additionally, blaOXA-1 (n=10), blaOXA-48 (n=5), blaKPC-2 (n=3), blaKPC-3 (n=2), blaNDM-1 (n=4), blaNDM-5 (n=1), blaGES-1 (n=2), blaGES-5 (n=1), and blaCYM-1 (n=3). Notable virulence genes identified within the ST410 isolates included fimH (n=29), papC (n=24), hlyA (n=22), and cnf1 (n=18), among others. Diverse plasmids were observed including IncFIS, IncX4, IncFIA, IncCol, IncI2 and IncFIC with transmission frequency ranges from 1.3X10-2 to 2.7X10-3.ConclusionThe ST410 clone exhibited a complex resistance profile, diverse serotypes, the presence of specific resistance genes (ESBL genes), virulence gene repertoire, and diverse plasmids. The blaCTX-M was the most prevalent ESBL gene detected.
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