Plasmid profile analysis of Escherichia coli isolates recovered from the beef production chain
Introduction: Resistance plasmids play a vital role in the tranmission of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) from animals to humans through the food chain. Thus food contamination at various production points have served as portal of entry for plasmid mediated resistance to humans. However, there is...
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Elsevier
2025-03-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Infectious Diseases |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1201971224005009 |
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| author | Dr Libby Onyeka Prof Abiodun Adesiyun Prof Karen Keddy Prof Peter Thompson |
| author_facet | Dr Libby Onyeka Prof Abiodun Adesiyun Prof Karen Keddy Prof Peter Thompson |
| author_sort | Dr Libby Onyeka |
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| description | Introduction: Resistance plasmids play a vital role in the tranmission of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) from animals to humans through the food chain. Thus food contamination at various production points have served as portal of entry for plasmid mediated resistance to humans. However, there is a dearth of data on the level of contamination at various production points in the Gauteng region. In this study, therefore, E. coli isolates originating from the beef production chain were assessed for their plasmid content and to determine the distribution of incompatibility (Inc) groups and associated antibiotic resistance along the beef production chain in the Gauteng region, South Africa. Methods and Materials: E. coli isolates in this study were obtained in Gauteng province, South Africa, during 2015-2017 from three sources; cattle feedlot (faeces), beef abattoirs (carcass swabs, environment, faeces) and retail outlets (raw beef and ready to eat (RTE) beef products). Whole genome sequencing on MiSeq-illumina platform was used to sequence the isolates, Plasmidfinder for in silico detection and typing of plasmids of E. coli and Resfinder database for antimicrobial resistance genes. Results: A total of 242 plasmids were identifed in genomes of 79 isolates recovered from the beef production chain, of which 43.8%(106) originated from the feedlot, 33.8%(82) abatoir and 22.4%(55) from retail outlets. A larger percentage of the plasmids belonged to the IncF group (61.2%;148), follwed by Colicinogenic (Col) plasmids (20.7%;50) and IncX (5%;12). Inc F, Q, X, B/O/K/Z, p0111 and Col stood out because they were found across the entire beef production chain. We identified 215 ARGs belonging to 8 antibiotic classes, of which macrolide and tetracycline (38.1%; 82) ranked top, followed by amynoglycosides (10.2%;22) and beta-lactamases (1.4%;3) the lowest. Two isolates were notable; faecal isolate (GdH35-2) from the abattoir haboured ten plasmids and nine ARG's, and retail isolate SSL5_1, five plamids and nine ARGs. Discussion: In this study, Inc F, Q, X, B/O/K/Z, p0111 and Col plasmid groups were detected across the entire beef production chain, of which IncF-groups (61.2%;148/242) had the highest frequency. This observation have multiple public health implications, as it confirms the presence of food-borne plasmids in the beef chain in the region, moreso, these plasmid represents reservoirs of resistance genes which increases the likelihood of genetic transfer. Furthermore, the high occurrence of tetracycline (mostly plasmid-mediated) and macrolide resistance genes reflects the misuse of antibiotics in the livestock industry in the study area. Conclusion: This study provides evidence of food-borne plasmids in the beef production chain in the Gauteng province, and its far-reaching public health implications. Given the livestock-human link with respect to resistance to antibiotics, an urgent review of its use as growth promoters in food animals is highly recommended. |
| format | Article |
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| institution | OA Journals |
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| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-edecc2953b474cb6b0062bb6e2393e562025-08-20T02:00:43ZengElsevierInternational Journal of Infectious Diseases1201-97122025-03-0115210742510.1016/j.ijid.2024.107425Plasmid profile analysis of Escherichia coli isolates recovered from the beef production chainDr Libby Onyeka0Prof Abiodun Adesiyun1Prof Karen Keddy2Prof Peter Thompson3Michael Okpara University Of Agriculture, Umudike, Umuahia, NigeriaMichael Okpara University Of Agriculture, Umudike, Umuahia, NigeriaMichael Okpara University Of Agriculture, Umudike, Umuahia, NigeriaMichael Okpara University Of Agriculture, Umudike, Umuahia, NigeriaIntroduction: Resistance plasmids play a vital role in the tranmission of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) from animals to humans through the food chain. Thus food contamination at various production points have served as portal of entry for plasmid mediated resistance to humans. However, there is a dearth of data on the level of contamination at various production points in the Gauteng region. In this study, therefore, E. coli isolates originating from the beef production chain were assessed for their plasmid content and to determine the distribution of incompatibility (Inc) groups and associated antibiotic resistance along the beef production chain in the Gauteng region, South Africa. Methods and Materials: E. coli isolates in this study were obtained in Gauteng province, South Africa, during 2015-2017 from three sources; cattle feedlot (faeces), beef abattoirs (carcass swabs, environment, faeces) and retail outlets (raw beef and ready to eat (RTE) beef products). Whole genome sequencing on MiSeq-illumina platform was used to sequence the isolates, Plasmidfinder for in silico detection and typing of plasmids of E. coli and Resfinder database for antimicrobial resistance genes. Results: A total of 242 plasmids were identifed in genomes of 79 isolates recovered from the beef production chain, of which 43.8%(106) originated from the feedlot, 33.8%(82) abatoir and 22.4%(55) from retail outlets. A larger percentage of the plasmids belonged to the IncF group (61.2%;148), follwed by Colicinogenic (Col) plasmids (20.7%;50) and IncX (5%;12). Inc F, Q, X, B/O/K/Z, p0111 and Col stood out because they were found across the entire beef production chain. We identified 215 ARGs belonging to 8 antibiotic classes, of which macrolide and tetracycline (38.1%; 82) ranked top, followed by amynoglycosides (10.2%;22) and beta-lactamases (1.4%;3) the lowest. Two isolates were notable; faecal isolate (GdH35-2) from the abattoir haboured ten plasmids and nine ARG's, and retail isolate SSL5_1, five plamids and nine ARGs. Discussion: In this study, Inc F, Q, X, B/O/K/Z, p0111 and Col plasmid groups were detected across the entire beef production chain, of which IncF-groups (61.2%;148/242) had the highest frequency. This observation have multiple public health implications, as it confirms the presence of food-borne plasmids in the beef chain in the region, moreso, these plasmid represents reservoirs of resistance genes which increases the likelihood of genetic transfer. Furthermore, the high occurrence of tetracycline (mostly plasmid-mediated) and macrolide resistance genes reflects the misuse of antibiotics in the livestock industry in the study area. Conclusion: This study provides evidence of food-borne plasmids in the beef production chain in the Gauteng province, and its far-reaching public health implications. Given the livestock-human link with respect to resistance to antibiotics, an urgent review of its use as growth promoters in food animals is highly recommended.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1201971224005009 |
| spellingShingle | Dr Libby Onyeka Prof Abiodun Adesiyun Prof Karen Keddy Prof Peter Thompson Plasmid profile analysis of Escherichia coli isolates recovered from the beef production chain International Journal of Infectious Diseases |
| title | Plasmid profile analysis of Escherichia coli isolates recovered from the beef production chain |
| title_full | Plasmid profile analysis of Escherichia coli isolates recovered from the beef production chain |
| title_fullStr | Plasmid profile analysis of Escherichia coli isolates recovered from the beef production chain |
| title_full_unstemmed | Plasmid profile analysis of Escherichia coli isolates recovered from the beef production chain |
| title_short | Plasmid profile analysis of Escherichia coli isolates recovered from the beef production chain |
| title_sort | plasmid profile analysis of escherichia coli isolates recovered from the beef production chain |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1201971224005009 |
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