AUTHOR=Gruel Gaëlle , Couvin David , Guyomard-Rabenirina Stéphanie , Arlet Guillaume , Bambou Jean-Christophe , Pot Matthieu , Roy Xavier , Talarmin Antoine , Tressieres Benoit , Ferdinand Séverine , Breurec Sébastien 

TITLE=High Prevalence of blaCTXM–1/IncI1-Iγ/ST3 Plasmids in Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase-Producing Escherichia coli Isolates Collected From Domestic Animals in Guadeloupe (French West Indies)

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Microbiology

VOLUME=13

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiology/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2022.882422

DOI=10.3389/fmicb.2022.882422

ISSN=1664-302X

ABSTRACT=<p>Extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-E) have been classified in the group of resistant bacteria of highest priority. We determined the prevalence of ESBL-E collected in feces from household and shelter pets in Guadeloupe (French West Indies). A single rectal swab was taken from 125 dogs and 60 cats between June and September 2019. The prevalence of fecal carriage of ESBL-E was 7.6% (14/185, 95% CI: 4.2-12.4), within the range observed worldwide. The only risk factor associated with a higher prevalence of ESBL-E rectal carriage was a stay in a shelter, suggesting that refuges could be hotspots for their acquisition. All but one (<italic>Klebsiella pneumoniae</italic> from a cat) were <italic>Escherichia coli</italic>. We noted the presence of a <italic>bla</italic><sub><italic>CTX–M</italic>–1</sub>/IncI1-Iγ/sequence type (ST3) plasmid in 11 ESBL-producing <italic>E. coli</italic> isolates belonging to ST328 (<italic>n</italic> = 6), ST155 (<italic>n</italic> = 4) and ST953 (<italic>n</italic> = 1). A <italic>bla</italic><sub><italic>CTX–M</italic>–15</sub> gene was identified in the three remaining ESBL-E isolates. The <italic>bla</italic><sub><italic>CTX–M</italic>–1</sub> and most of the antimicrobial resistance genes were present in a well-conserved large conjugative IncI1-Iγ/ST3 plasmid characterized by two accessory regions containing antibiotic resistance genes. The plasmid has been detected worldwide in <italic>E. coli</italic> isolates from humans and several animal species, such as food-producing animals, wild birds and pets, and from the environment. This study shows the potential role of pets as a reservoir of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria or genes for humans and underlines the importance of basic hygiene measures by owners of companion animals.</p>