Genetic characterization of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae collected from healthy turkeys

Authors

  • Amel Romdhani University of Tunis El Manar, Laboratory of bacteriological research, Tunisian Institute of Veterinary Research, Bab Saadoun, Tunis 1006, Tunisia https://orcid.org/0009-0009-5590-5089
  • Sana Dhaouadi University of Manouba, Higher Institute of Biotechnology of Sidi Thabet, BVBGR-LR11ES31, Biotechnopole Sidi Thabet, Ariana 2020, Tunisia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0595-2591
  • Sarah Cheriet University of Tunis El Manar, Laboratory of bacteriological research, Tunisian Institute of Veterinary Research, Bab Saadoun, Tunis 1006, Tunisia https://orcid.org/0009-0006-4163-6023
  • Sana Lengliz University of Tunis El Manar, Laboratory of bacteriological research, Tunisian Institute of Veterinary Research, Bab Saadoun, Tunis 1006, Tunisia
  • Ilhem Boutiba-Ben Boubaker University of Tunis El Manar, Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, Research Laboratory ‘Antimicrobial Resistance’ LR99ES09, Tunis 1006, Tunisia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6590-2406
  • Ramzi Boubaker Landolsi University of Manouba, Higher Institute of Biotechnology of Sidi Thabet, BVBGR-LR11ES31, Biotechnopole Sidi Thabet, Ariana 2020, Tunisia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4161-9569
  • Mohamed Salah Abbassi University of Tunis El Manar, Laboratory of bacteriological research, Tunisian Institute of Veterinary Research, Bab Saadoun, Tunis 1006, Tunisia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9673-193X

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.18973

Keywords:

Turkeys, ESBL, E. coli, K. pneumoniae, CTX-M, ST131

Abstract

Introduction: The spread of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-En) from turkeys via food chain and environmental contamination is a human health concern.

Methodology: Seventy fecal samples were collected from healthy turkeys and streaked on Tryptone Bile X-Glucoronide (TBX) supplemented with 2 mg/L of cefotaxime and on TBX supplemented with 1 mg/L of imipenem. ESBL production and susceptibility to antibiotics were studied according to CLSI guidelines. Genes encoding for ESBLs (SHV, CTX-M, TEM), carbapenemases (IMI, KPC, OXA48, NDM), tetracyclines (tetA, tetB, tetC), colistin (mcr-1 to mcr-5), sulphonamides (sul1, sul2), quinolones (qnr A/B/S, aac(6’)-Ib-cr, qepA) resistance, and class 1 and 2 integrons were determined by PCR.

Results: ESBL-En [n = 45 (64.3%): 41 E. coli and 4 K. pneumoniae] isolates were collected. In E. coli, blaCTX-M-1, blaCTX-M-14, blaCTX-M-15, blaCTX-M-27, and blaCTX-M-55 genes were identified in 23, 2, 5, 16, and one isolate, respectively. The blaCTX-M-15 gene was detected in two K. pneumoniae isolates, while each of blaCTX-M-1 and blaCTX-M-27 were detected in one isolate. Resistances to tetracyclines, sulfonamides, fluoroquinolones, and colistin were encoded by tetA (n = 21)/tetB (n = 1), sul1 (n = 8)/sul2 (n = 13), aac(6’)-Ib-cr (n = 6), and mcr-1 (n = 2)/mcr-2 (n = 1) genes, respectively. Integrons of class 1 and class 2 were detected in 15 and six isolates, respectively. Five E. coli isolates belonged to the pandemic ST131 clone.

Conclusions: Our findings highlight the high occurrence of MDR/ESBL-En and demonstrate the possible transfer of these strains to humans via the food chain or direct contact.

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Published

2025-04-29

How to Cite

1.
Romdhani A, Dhaouadi S, Cheriet S, Lengliz S, Boutiba-Ben Boubaker I, Landolsi RB, Abbassi MS (2025) Genetic characterization of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae collected from healthy turkeys. J Infect Dev Ctries 19:560–568. doi: 10.3855/jidc.18973

Issue

Vol. 19 No. 04: April 2025

Section

Original Articles

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Copyright (c) 2025 Amel Romdhani, Dr. Sana Dhaouadi, Mis, Sana Lengliz, Pr. Ilhem Boutiba-Ben Boubaker, Pr. Ramzi Boubaker Landolsi, Mohamed Salah Abbassi

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