Plasmid-associated antimicrobial resistance and virulence genes in Escherichia coli in a high arctic reindeer subspecies. (September 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sunde, Marianne; Ramstad, Silje N.; Rudi, Knut; Porcellato, Davide; Ravi, Anuradha; Ludvigsen, Jane; das Neves, Carlos G.; Tryland, Morten; Ropstad, Erik; Slettemeås, Jannice S.; Telke, Amar A.
• Is Part Of: Journal of global antimicrobial resistance. Volume 26(2021)
• Page Start: 317
• Page End: 322
• Publication Date: 2021-09
• Subjects: Wild reindeer -- Svalbard -- Antimicrobial resistance -- Escherichia coli -- IncF plasmid; Drug resistance -- Periodicals; Drug resistance -- Periodicals; Drug resistance; Periodicals; 616.9041
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jgar.2021.06.003
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2213-7165

Abstract

Highlights: Antimicrobial resistance in wild animals from the Svalbard High Arctic Archipelago was investigated by phenotypic and genotypic methods. Multiple antimicrobial-resistant Escherichia coli of ST58, ST88 and ST131 were detected. IncF plasmids carrying both resistance and virulence genes were detected in most strains. Introduction of antimicrobial resistance to Svalbard ecosystems may be via migrating birds or animals or via anthropogenic activities. ABSTRACT: Objectives: In extreme environments, such as the Arctic region, the anthropogenic influence is low and the presence of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria is unexpected. In this study, we screened wild reindeer ( Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus ) from the Svalbard High Arctic Archipelago for antimicrobial-resistant Escherichia coli and performed in-depth strain characterisation. Methods: Using selective culturing of faecal samples from 55 animals, resistant E. coli were isolated and subjected to minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) determination, conjugation experiments and whole-genome sequencing. Results: Twelve animals carried antimicrobial-resistant E. coli . Genomic analysis showed IncF plasmids as vectors both for resistance and virulence genes in most strains. Plasmid-associated genes encoding resistance to ampicillin, sulfonamides, streptomycin and trimethoprim were found in addition to virulence genes typical for colicin V (ColV)-producing plasmids. Comparison with previously reported IncF ColV plasmids from human and animal hosts showed high genetic similarity. The plasmids were detected in E. coli sequence types (STs) previously described as hosts for such plasmids, such as ST58, ST88 and ST131. Conclusion: Antimicrobial-resistant E. coli were detected from Svalbard reindeer. Our findings show that successful hybrid antimicrobial resistance–ColV plasmids and their host strains are widely distributed also occurring in extreme environmental niches such as arctic ecosystems. Possible introduction routes of resistant bacterial strains and plasmids into Svalbard ecosystems may be through migrating birds, marine fish or mammals, arctic fox ( Vulpes lagopus ) or via human anthropogenic activities such as tourism.