Genomic analysis of antimicrobial resistant Escherichia coli isolated from manure and manured agricultural grasslands

Abstract Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a multifactorial issue involving an intertwining relationship between animals, humans and the environment. The environment can harbour Escherichia coli that are pathogenic or commensal. Escherichia coli is used as an indicator of environmental faecal contam...

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Main Authors: C. Tyrrell, C. M. Burgess, F. P. Brennan, D. Münzenmaier, D. Drissner, R. J. Leigh, F. Walsh
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-02-01
Series:npj Antimicrobials and Resistance
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s44259-025-00081-8
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author C. Tyrrell
C. M. Burgess
F. P. Brennan
D. Münzenmaier
D. Drissner
R. J. Leigh
F. Walsh
author_facet C. Tyrrell
C. M. Burgess
F. P. Brennan
D. Münzenmaier
D. Drissner
R. J. Leigh
F. Walsh
author_sort C. Tyrrell
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a multifactorial issue involving an intertwining relationship between animals, humans and the environment. The environment can harbour Escherichia coli that are pathogenic or commensal. Escherichia coli is used as an indicator of environmental faecal contamination. Through culture dependent approaches this study identified 46 E. coli isolates in porcine and bovine manure, non-manured and manured soil, and manured grass. The grass isolation highlights grass as an environmental reservoir for E. coli. We also identified a diverse plasmidome with 23 different plasmid replicon types. The E. coli isolates were phenotypically antimicrobial resistant, predominantly multidrug resistant. Whole genome sequencing identified 31 antimicrobial resistance genes, and mutations in the gyrA, parC, and parE genes, conferring fluoroquinolone resistance. This study demonstrates grass as an understudied environmental niche of AMR E. coli, which directly links the environment to the grass grazing animal and vice-versa via the circular economy of manure application.
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spelling doaj-art-d3be1c33118e45cc937a5109e7cd53e92025-02-09T12:56:17ZengNature Portfolionpj Antimicrobials and Resistance2731-87452025-02-01311910.1038/s44259-025-00081-8Genomic analysis of antimicrobial resistant Escherichia coli isolated from manure and manured agricultural grasslandsC. Tyrrell0C. M. Burgess1F. P. Brennan2D. Münzenmaier3D. Drissner4R. J. Leigh5F. Walsh6Department of Biology, Maynooth UniversityTeagasc Food Research Centre, AshtownDepartment of Environment, Soils and Land-Use, Teagasc, Johnstown CastleDepartment of Life Sciences, Albstadt-Sigmaringen UniversityDepartment of Life Sciences, Albstadt-Sigmaringen UniversityDepartment of Biology, Maynooth UniversityDepartment of Biology, Maynooth UniversityAbstract Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a multifactorial issue involving an intertwining relationship between animals, humans and the environment. The environment can harbour Escherichia coli that are pathogenic or commensal. Escherichia coli is used as an indicator of environmental faecal contamination. Through culture dependent approaches this study identified 46 E. coli isolates in porcine and bovine manure, non-manured and manured soil, and manured grass. The grass isolation highlights grass as an environmental reservoir for E. coli. We also identified a diverse plasmidome with 23 different plasmid replicon types. The E. coli isolates were phenotypically antimicrobial resistant, predominantly multidrug resistant. Whole genome sequencing identified 31 antimicrobial resistance genes, and mutations in the gyrA, parC, and parE genes, conferring fluoroquinolone resistance. This study demonstrates grass as an understudied environmental niche of AMR E. coli, which directly links the environment to the grass grazing animal and vice-versa via the circular economy of manure application.https://doi.org/10.1038/s44259-025-00081-8
spellingShingle C. Tyrrell
C. M. Burgess
F. P. Brennan
D. Münzenmaier
D. Drissner
R. J. Leigh
F. Walsh
Genomic analysis of antimicrobial resistant Escherichia coli isolated from manure and manured agricultural grasslands
npj Antimicrobials and Resistance
title Genomic analysis of antimicrobial resistant Escherichia coli isolated from manure and manured agricultural grasslands
title_full Genomic analysis of antimicrobial resistant Escherichia coli isolated from manure and manured agricultural grasslands
title_fullStr Genomic analysis of antimicrobial resistant Escherichia coli isolated from manure and manured agricultural grasslands
title_full_unstemmed Genomic analysis of antimicrobial resistant Escherichia coli isolated from manure and manured agricultural grasslands
title_short Genomic analysis of antimicrobial resistant Escherichia coli isolated from manure and manured agricultural grasslands
title_sort genomic analysis of antimicrobial resistant escherichia coli isolated from manure and manured agricultural grasslands
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s44259-025-00081-8
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