AUTHOR=Uruén Cristina , Gimeno Jorge , Sanz Marina , Fraile Lorenzo , Marín Clara M. , Arenas Jesús 

TITLE=Invasive Streptococcus suis isolated in Spain contain a highly promiscuous and dynamic resistome

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology

VOLUME=13

YEAR=2024

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/cellular-and-infection-microbiology/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2023.1329632

DOI=10.3389/fcimb.2023.1329632

ISSN=2235-2988

ABSTRACT=<sec><title>Introduction</title><p><italic>Streptococcus suis</italic> is a major pathogen for swine and human. Here we aimed to know the rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in invasive <italic>S. suis</italic> isolates recovered along Spain between 2016 – 2021 and elucidate their genetic origin.</p></sec><sec><title>Methods</title><p>Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed for 116 isolates of different genetic backgrounds and geographic origins against 18 antibiotics of 9 families. The association between AMR and genotypes and the origin of the isolates were statistically analyzed using Pearson´s chi-square test and the likelihood ratio. The antimicrobial resistant genes were identified by whole genome sequencing analysis and PCR screenings.</p></sec><sec><title>Results</title><p>High AMR rates (&gt;80%) were detected for tetracyclines, spectinomycin, lincosamides, and marbofloxacin, medium (20-40%) for sulphonamides/trimethoprim, tiamulin, penicillin G, and enrofloxacin, and low (&lt; 20%) for florfenicol, and four additional β-lactams. The occurrence of multidrug resistance was observed in 90% of isolates. For certain antibiotics (penicillin G, enrofloxacin, marbofloxacin, tilmicosin, and erythromycin), AMR was significantly associated with particular sequence types (STs), geographic regions, age of pigs, and time course. Whole genome sequencing comparisons and PCR screenings identified 23 AMR genes, of which 19 were previously reported in <italic>S. suis</italic> (<italic>aph</italic>(3’)-IIIa, <italic>sat4, aadE, spw</italic>, aac(6’)-Ie-<italic>aph</italic>(2’’)-Ia, <italic>fexA, optrA, erm</italic>(B), <italic>mef</italic>(A/E), <italic>mrs</italic>(D), <italic>mph</italic>(C), <italic>lnu</italic>(B), <italic>lsa</italic>(E), <italic>vga</italic>(F), <italic>tet</italic>(M), <italic>tet</italic>(O), <italic>tet</italic>(O/W/32/O), <italic>tet</italic>(W)), and 4 were novel (<italic>aph</italic>(2’’)-IIIa, <italic>apmA, erm</italic>(47), <italic>tet</italic>(T)). These AMR genes explained the AMR to spectinomycin, macrolides, lincosamides, tiamulin, and tetracyclines. Several genes were located on mobile genetic elements which showed a variable organization and composition. As AMR gene homologs were identified in many human and animal pathogens, the resistome of <italic>S. suis</italic> has a different phylogenetic origin. Moreover, AMR to penicillin G, fluoroquinolones, and trimethoprim related to mutations in genes coding for target enzymes (<italic>pbp1a, pbp2b, pbp2x, mraY, gyrA</italic>, <italic>parC</italic>, and <italic>dhfr)</italic>. Bioinformatic analysis estimated traits of recombination on target genes, also indicative of gene transfer events.</p></sec><sec><title>Conclusions</title><p>Our work evidences that <italic>S. suis</italic> is a major contributor to AMR dissemination across veterinary and human pathogens. Therefore, control of AMR in <italic>S. suis</italic> should be considered from a One Health approach in regions with high pig production to properly tackle the issue of antimicrobial drug resistance.</p></sec>