Bacteriophage-Associated Antimicrobial Resistance Genes in Avian Pathogenic <i>Escherichia coli</i> Isolated from Brazilian Poultry
Giulia Von Tönnemann Pilati,
Rafael Dorighello Cadamuro,
Vilmar Benetti Filho,
Mariane Dahmer,
Mariana Alves Elois,
Beatriz Pereira Savi,
Gleidson Biasi Carvalho Salles,
Eduardo Correa Muniz,
Gislaine Fongaro
Affiliations
Giulia Von Tönnemann Pilati
Laboratory of Applied Virology, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis 88040-900, Brazil
Rafael Dorighello Cadamuro
Laboratory of Applied Virology, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis 88040-900, Brazil
Vilmar Benetti Filho
Laboratory of Applied Virology, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis 88040-900, Brazil
Mariane Dahmer
Laboratory of Applied Virology, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis 88040-900, Brazil
Mariana Alves Elois
Laboratory of Applied Virology, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis 88040-900, Brazil
Beatriz Pereira Savi
Laboratory of Applied Virology, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis 88040-900, Brazil
Gleidson Biasi Carvalho Salles
Laboratory of Applied Virology, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis 88040-900, Brazil
Eduardo Correa Muniz
Zoetis Industry of Veterinary Products LTDA, São Paulo 04709-111, Brazil
Gislaine Fongaro
Laboratory of Applied Virology, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis 88040-900, Brazil
Colibacillosis is a disease caused by Escherichia coli and remains a major concern in poultry production, as it leads to significant economic losses due to carcass condemnation and clinical symptoms. The development of antimicrobial resistance is a growing problem of worldwide concern. Lysogenic bacteriophages are effective vectors for acquiring and disseminating antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). The aim of this study was to investigate the complete genome of Escherichia coli isolates from the femurs of Brazilian broiler chickens in order to investigate the presence of antimicrobial resistance genes associated with bacteriophages. Samples were collected between August and November 2021 from broiler batches from six Brazilian states. Through whole genome sequencing (WGS), data obtained were analyzed for the presence of antimicrobial resistance genes. Antimicrobial resistance genes against the aminoglycosides class were detected in 79.36% of the isolates; 74.6% had predicted sulfonamides resistance genes, 63.49% had predicted resistance genes against β-lactams, and 49.2% of the isolates had at least one of the tetracycline resistance genes. Among the detected genes, 27 have been described in previous studies and associated with bacteriophages. The findings of this study highlight the role of bacteriophages in the dissemination of ARGs in the poultry industry.
