Genetic Characterization, Transmission Pattern and Health Risk Analysis of Intestinal Colonization ESBL-Producing <i>Escherichia coli</i> in Vegetable Farming Population

The surging prevalence rates of ESBL-producing <i>Escherichia coli</i> (ESBL-Ec) pose a serious threat to public health. To date, most research on drug-resistant bacteria and genes has focused on livestock and poultry breeding areas, hospital clinical areas, natural water environments, a...

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Main Authors: Fanghui Yao, Qian Zhao, Di Wang, Xuewen Li
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-12-01
Series:Microorganisms
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/12/12/2646
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author Fanghui Yao
Qian Zhao
Di Wang
Xuewen Li
author_facet Fanghui Yao
Qian Zhao
Di Wang
Xuewen Li
author_sort Fanghui Yao
collection DOAJ
description The surging prevalence rates of ESBL-producing <i>Escherichia coli</i> (ESBL-Ec) pose a serious threat to public health. To date, most research on drug-resistant bacteria and genes has focused on livestock and poultry breeding areas, hospital clinical areas, natural water environments, and wastewater treatment plants. However, few studies have been conducted on drug-resistant bacteria in vegetable cultivation. In this study, a total of vegetable farmers (n = 59) from six villages were surveyed. Fecal samples were collected from vegetable farmers; we also collected environmental samples, including river water, well water, soil, river sediment, vegetable surface swabs, and fish intestinal tracts. The ESBL-Ec intestinal colonization rate in vegetable farmers was 76.27%. PFGE results indicated two patterns of ESBL-Ec transmission within the vegetable cultivation area: among vegetable farmers, and among river water, river sediments, and vegetable farmers. Based on the phylogenetic analysis, three transmission patterns of ESBL-Ec outside the vegetable cultivation area were inferred: human–human, human–animal–human, and human–animal–environment. Twelve of the isolates carried closely related or identical IncF plasmids carrying <i>bla<sub>CTX-M</sub></i>. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) analysis showed that ST569-B2-O134:H31 and ST38-D-O50:H30 were associated with high disease risk. We assessed the health risks of the farming population and provided a reference basis for public health surveillance and environmental management by monitoring the prevalence and transmission of ESBL-Ec in vegetable areas.
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spelling doaj-art-880a2eec802a47d3bab3bd12c0df1e262025-08-20T02:56:59ZengMDPI AGMicroorganisms2076-26072024-12-011212264610.3390/microorganisms12122646Genetic Characterization, Transmission Pattern and Health Risk Analysis of Intestinal Colonization ESBL-Producing <i>Escherichia coli</i> in Vegetable Farming PopulationFanghui Yao0Qian Zhao1Di Wang2Xuewen Li3Department of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, ChinaDepartment of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, ChinaDepartment of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, ChinaDepartment of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, ChinaThe surging prevalence rates of ESBL-producing <i>Escherichia coli</i> (ESBL-Ec) pose a serious threat to public health. To date, most research on drug-resistant bacteria and genes has focused on livestock and poultry breeding areas, hospital clinical areas, natural water environments, and wastewater treatment plants. However, few studies have been conducted on drug-resistant bacteria in vegetable cultivation. In this study, a total of vegetable farmers (n = 59) from six villages were surveyed. Fecal samples were collected from vegetable farmers; we also collected environmental samples, including river water, well water, soil, river sediment, vegetable surface swabs, and fish intestinal tracts. The ESBL-Ec intestinal colonization rate in vegetable farmers was 76.27%. PFGE results indicated two patterns of ESBL-Ec transmission within the vegetable cultivation area: among vegetable farmers, and among river water, river sediments, and vegetable farmers. Based on the phylogenetic analysis, three transmission patterns of ESBL-Ec outside the vegetable cultivation area were inferred: human–human, human–animal–human, and human–animal–environment. Twelve of the isolates carried closely related or identical IncF plasmids carrying <i>bla<sub>CTX-M</sub></i>. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) analysis showed that ST569-B2-O134:H31 and ST38-D-O50:H30 were associated with high disease risk. We assessed the health risks of the farming population and provided a reference basis for public health surveillance and environmental management by monitoring the prevalence and transmission of ESBL-Ec in vegetable areas.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/12/12/2646vegetable cultivation areaESBL-producing <i>Escherichia coli</i>intestinal colonizationCTX-Mtransmission pattern
spellingShingle Fanghui Yao
Qian Zhao
Di Wang
Xuewen Li
Genetic Characterization, Transmission Pattern and Health Risk Analysis of Intestinal Colonization ESBL-Producing <i>Escherichia coli</i> in Vegetable Farming Population
Microorganisms
vegetable cultivation area
ESBL-producing <i>Escherichia coli</i>
intestinal colonization
CTX-M
transmission pattern
title Genetic Characterization, Transmission Pattern and Health Risk Analysis of Intestinal Colonization ESBL-Producing <i>Escherichia coli</i> in Vegetable Farming Population
title_full Genetic Characterization, Transmission Pattern and Health Risk Analysis of Intestinal Colonization ESBL-Producing <i>Escherichia coli</i> in Vegetable Farming Population
title_fullStr Genetic Characterization, Transmission Pattern and Health Risk Analysis of Intestinal Colonization ESBL-Producing <i>Escherichia coli</i> in Vegetable Farming Population
title_full_unstemmed Genetic Characterization, Transmission Pattern and Health Risk Analysis of Intestinal Colonization ESBL-Producing <i>Escherichia coli</i> in Vegetable Farming Population
title_short Genetic Characterization, Transmission Pattern and Health Risk Analysis of Intestinal Colonization ESBL-Producing <i>Escherichia coli</i> in Vegetable Farming Population
title_sort genetic characterization transmission pattern and health risk analysis of intestinal colonization esbl producing i escherichia coli i in vegetable farming population
topic vegetable cultivation area
ESBL-producing <i>Escherichia coli</i>
intestinal colonization
CTX-M
transmission pattern
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/12/12/2646
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