Characterizing the antimicrobial resistance profile of Escherichia coli found in sport animals (fighting cocks, fighting bulls, and sport horses) and soils from their environment.
Abstract: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a significant threat to global health and development. Inappropriate antimicrobial drug use in animals cause AMR, and most studies focus on livestock because of the widespread use of antimicrobial medicines. There is a lack of studies on sports animals and AMR issues. This study aimed to characterize the AMR profile of E. coli found in sports animals (fighting cocks, fighting bulls, and sport horses) and soils from their environment. Unassigned: Bacterial isolation and identification were conducted to identify E. coli isolates recovered from fresh feces that were obtained from fighting cocks (n = 32), fighting bulls (n = 57), sport horses (n = 33), and soils from those farms (n = 32) at Nakhon Si Thammarat. Antimicrobial resistance was determined using 15 tested antimicrobial agents - ampicillin (AM), amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, cephalexin (CN), cefalotin (CF), cefoperazone, ceftiofur, cefquinome, gentamicin, neomycin, flumequine (UB), enrofloxacin, marbofloaxacin, polymyxin B, tetracycline (TE), and sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (SXT). The virulence genes, AMR genes, and phylogenetic groups were also examined. Five virulence genes, iroN, ompT, hlyF, iss, and iutA, are genes determining the phylogenetic groups, chuA, cjaA, and tspE4C2, were identified. The AMR genes selected for detection were blaTEM and blaSHV for the beta-lactamase group; cml-A for phenicol; dhfrV for trimethoprim; sul1 and sul2 for sulfonamides; tetA, tetB, and tetC for TEs; and qnrA, qnrB, and qnrS for quinolones. Unassigned: The E. coli derived from sports animals were resistant at different levels to AM, CF, CN, UB, SXT, and TE. The AMR rate was overall higher in fighting cocks than in other animals, with significantly higher resistance to AM, CF, and TE. The highest AMR was found in fighting cocks, where 62.5% of their isolates were AM resistant. In addition, multidrug resistance was highest in fighting cocks (12.5%). One extended-spectrum beta-lactamase E. coli isolate was found in the soils, but none from animal feces. The phylogenetic analysis showed that most E. coli isolates were in Group B1. The E. coli isolates from fighting cocks had more virulence and AMR genes than other sources. The AMR genes found in 20% or more of the isolates were blaTEM (71.9%), qnrB (25%), qnrS (46.9%), and tetA (56.25%), whereas in the E. coli isolates collected from soils, the only resistance genes found in 20% or more of the isolates were blaTEM (30.8%), and tetA (23.1%). Unassigned: Escherichia coli from fighting cock feces had significantly higher resistance to AM, CF, and TE than isolates from other sporting animals. Hence, fighting cocks may be a reservoir of resistant E. coli that can transfer to the environment and other animals and humans in direct contact with the birds or the birds' habitat. Programs for antimicrobial monitoring should also target sports animals and their environment.
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This research explores antimicrobial resistance (AMR) profiles in sports animals including fighting cocks, fighting bulls, and sports horses, as well as the soil in their environments. In particular, the study investigates the AMR in the Escherichia coli bacteria from these sources, drawing attention to the need for monitoring programs for sports animals and their habitats.
Methodology
Researchers gathered E. coli from fresh feces of fighting cocks, fighting bulls, sports horses, and soils from their farms in Nakhon Si Thammarat.
The antimicrobial resistance of E. coli isolates was tested against 15 antimicrobial agents such as ampicillin, cephalothin, ceftiofur, and sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim.
The study also scanned for the presence of various virulence genes, AMR genes, and identified the phylogenetic groups.
Findings
The E. coli isolates derived from sports animals showed varying degrees of resistance to different antimicrobial agents.
Particularly, the resistance level was significantly higher in fighting cocks, especially to ampicillin, cefalotin, and tetracycline. Moreover, multi-drug resistance was primarily observed in fighting cocks.
Interestingly, the study found an extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) E. coli isolate in the soil samples, possibly hinting at environment-AMR linkage.
On analyzing phylogenetic groups, most E. coli isolates fit into Group B1.
E. coli from fighting cocks contained more virulence and AMR genes than other sources.
Significance and Recommendations
The study points out the notably higher resistance of E. coli found in fighting cock feces, suggesting that these birds could be carriers of resistant E. coli which may spread to the environment, other animals, and possibly humans in contact.
This highlights that there is a potential risk of AMR spread from sports animals, which were not traditionally included in antimicrobial monitoring programs. Therefore, the authors recommended the inclusion of sports animals and their environment into AMR monitoring programs.
Cite This Article
APA
Wongtawan T, Narinthorn R, Sontigun N, Sansamur C, Petcharat Y, Fungwithaya P, Saengsawang P, Blackall PJ, Thomrongsuwannakij T.
(2022).
Characterizing the antimicrobial resistance profile of Escherichia coli found in sport animals (fighting cocks, fighting bulls, and sport horses) and soils from their environment.
Vet World, 15(11), 2673-2680.
https://doi.org/10.14202/vetworld.2022.2673-2680
Akkhraratchakumari Veterinary College, Walailak University, Thai Buri, Tha Sala, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand.
Centre for One Health, Walailak University, Thai Buri, Tha Sala, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand.
Excellence Centre for Melioidosis and other microorganisms, Walailak University, Thai Buri, Tha Sala, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand.
Narinthorn, Ruethai
Akkhraratchakumari Veterinary College, Walailak University, Thai Buri, Tha Sala, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand.
Centre for One Health, Walailak University, Thai Buri, Tha Sala, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand.
Sontigun, Narin
Akkhraratchakumari Veterinary College, Walailak University, Thai Buri, Tha Sala, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand.
Centre for One Health, Walailak University, Thai Buri, Tha Sala, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand.
Excellence Centre for Melioidosis and other microorganisms, Walailak University, Thai Buri, Tha Sala, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand.
Sansamur, Chalutwan
Akkhraratchakumari Veterinary College, Walailak University, Thai Buri, Tha Sala, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand.
Centre for One Health, Walailak University, Thai Buri, Tha Sala, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand.
Petcharat, Yotsapat
Akkhraratchakumari Veterinary College, Walailak University, Thai Buri, Tha Sala, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand.
Fungwithaya, Punpichaya
Akkhraratchakumari Veterinary College, Walailak University, Thai Buri, Tha Sala, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand.
Centre for One Health, Walailak University, Thai Buri, Tha Sala, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand.
Excellence Centre for Melioidosis and other microorganisms, Walailak University, Thai Buri, Tha Sala, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand.
Saengsawang, Phirabhat
Akkhraratchakumari Veterinary College, Walailak University, Thai Buri, Tha Sala, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand.
Centre for One Health, Walailak University, Thai Buri, Tha Sala, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand.
Blackall, Patrick J
Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, The University of Queensland, St Lucia 4067, Australia.
Thomrongsuwannakij, Thotsapol
Akkhraratchakumari Veterinary College, Walailak University, Thai Buri, Tha Sala, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand.
Centre for One Health, Walailak University, Thai Buri, Tha Sala, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand.
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
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