Escherichia coli, a member of the commensal intestinal microbiota, is a significant aetiology of urinary tract infections (UTIs) and has a propensity for acquiring multidrug resistance characteristics, such as extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs). Despite the increase in the incidence of ESBL-producing E. coli infections in sub-Saharan Africa, routine ESBL detection in Ghana is often absent, and molecular data on ESBL genotypes is scarce. Eleven ESBL-producing E. coli recovered from mid-stream urine samples were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing and whole-genome sequence analyses. All isolates exhibited multidrug resistance, demonstrating phenotypic resistance to third-generation cephalosporins, such as cefotaxime, ceftazidime, and cefpodoxime. Three isolates demonstrated resistance to norfloxacin (a fluoroquinolone), and one isolate demonstrated intermediate resistance to ertapenem (a carbapenem). Analysis of the draft genomes identified multiple antimicrobial resistance genes including ESBL genotypes blaTEM-1B/TEM-190 (6/11 and 1/11, respectively), blaCTX-M-15/CTX-M-3 (7/11 and 1/11) and blaOXA-1/OXA-181 (3/11 and 1/11). The strains belong to 10 different serotypes and 10 different multilocus sequence types. This study provides information on phenotypic resistance in 11 ESBL E. coli from Ghana and AMR genotypes within their genomes.

UNASSIGNED: Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae including Escherichia coli (E. coli), are recognized as a global public health threat due to their multidrug-resistant (MDR) phenotypes and their rapid dissemination in aquatic environments. Nevertheless, studies investigating the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) profile of ESBL-producing E. coli in Lebanese surface water are limited.
UNASSIGNED: This study aimed to assess the physicochemical properties and microbial contamination load and to determine the distribution of AMR patterns of ESBL-producing E. coli in surface water samples from different sites in the North Governorate of Lebanon.
UNASSIGNED: Water samples were collected from 25 major sites in North Lebanon. These samples were analyzed for the presence of total coliforms, E. coli, and fecal enterococci. Phenotypic and genetic characterizations were then performed for E. coli isolates to determine their resistance patterns and phylogenetic groups.
UNASSIGNED: Fifty-six samples out of 100 samples were positive for ESBL-producing E. coli, mostly harboring blaCTX-M (40/56, 71%) including blaCTX-M-15 (33/40, 82%), blaTEM gene (36/56, 64%), blaSHV (20/56, 36%), and blaOXA (16/56, 29%) including blaOXA-48 gene (11/16, 69%). Most ESBL-producing E. coli isolates belonged to the extra-intestinal pathogenic phylogroup B2 (40/56, 71.4%) while 10/56 (17.9%) belonged to the commensal phylogroup A.
UNASSIGNED: Our results highlight the need to implement effective water monitoring strategies to control transmission of ESBL-producing E. coli in surface water and thus reduce the burden on human and animal health.

UNASSIGNED: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) due to extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae are among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in older adults. Identifying associated factors for ESBL production may contribute to more appropriate empirical treatment.
UNASSIGNED: This was a prospective observational study. Hospitalized patients of age > 65 with community-onset or hospital-acquired upper UTI due to E. coli or Klebsiella pneumoniae were included. A multivariate analysis was performed.
UNASSIGNED: A total of 97 patients were included. ESBL prevalence among UTIs with E. coli or Klebsiella pneumoniae was 69.1% (n = 67). CRP values at the time of UTI diagnosis were found to be significantly higher in the ESBL-producing group (p = 0.004). The multivariate analysis revealed that male gender (OR: 2.72, CI: 1.02-7.25), prior recurrent UTI (OR: 3.14, CI: 1.21-8.14), and the development of secondary bacteremia (OR: 4.95, CI: 1.03-23.89) were major associated factors for UTI in older adults due to ESBL-producing E. coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae.
UNASSIGNED: Severe UTI in older men with a history of recurrent UTI may be a warning to the clinician for ESBL production in the setting of high ESBL prevalence. Carbapenems may be prioritized in the empirical treatment of patients with known risk factors for ESBL.

UNASSIGNED: Klebsiella pneumoniae is an opportunistic pathogen responsible for causing nosocomial and community-acquired infections. Its pathogenicity is associated with a variety of virulence factors and antibiotic resistance. The aim of the present study was to compare virulence attributes between ESBL and non-ESBL producing isolates.
UNASSIGNED: A total of 113 K. pneumoniae including 56 ESBL and 57 non ESBL-producers were collected in Bushehr province, Iran, from November 2017 to February 2019. Enzymatic profile, hypermucoviscosity and biofilm formation were investigated phenotypically. In addition, the presence of rmpA, aerobactin, kfu, allS, mrkD, ybtS, entB, iutA, fimH, wabG, wcaG, K1 and K2 genes were detected by PCR and sequencing.
UNASSIGNED: There was no statistically significant difference in enzymatic profile between ESBL and non-ESBL producers. The prevalence of the hypermocoviscosity was lower among ESBL compared to non-ESBL producers but the intensity of biofilm was higher in the ESBL producers. Among the virulence genes, K1, rmpA, iutA, and aero were observed only in non-ESBLs. Moreover, the carriage of allS, K, K2, rmpA, iutA and aero genes was higher in hypermucoviscous in comparison with non hypermucoviscous isolates.
UNASSIGNED: The identification of potentially pathogenic isolates plays an important role in preventing their spread as well as the success of their treatment.

Earlier studies have validated the isolation of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Salmonella (ESBL-Sal) strains from food. While poultry is recognized as a reservoir for Salmonella contamination, pertinent data regarding ESBL-Sal remains limited. Consequently, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has isolated Salmonella spp. from retail meat and evaluated their antibiotic susceptibility and genetic characteristics via whole-genome sequencing. To further elucidate these aspects, this study investigates the prevalence, antibiotic resistance profiles, genomic characteristics, and homology of ESBL-Sal spp. obtained from livestock-derived products in South Korean retail outlets. A total of 653 Salmonella spp. were isolated from 1,876 meat samples, including 509 beef, 503 pork, 555 chicken, and 309 duck samples. The prevalence rates of Salmonella were 0.0%, 1.4%, 17.5%, and 28.2% in the beef, pork, chicken, and duck samples, respectively. ESBL-Sal was exclusively identified in poultry meat, with a prevalence of 1.4% in the chicken samples (8/555) and 0.3% in the duck samples (1/309). All ESBL-Sal strains carried the blaCTX-M-1 gene and exhibited resistance to ampicillin, ceftiofur, ceftazidime, nalidixic acid, and tetracycline. Eight ESBL-Sal isolates were identified as S. Enteritidis with sequence type (ST) 11. The major plasmid replicons of the Enteritidis-ST11 strains were IncFIB(S) and IncFII(S), carrying antimicrobial resistance genes (β-lactam, tetracycline, and aminoglycoside) and 166 virulence factor genes. The results of this study provide valuable insights for the surveillance and monitoring of ESBL-Sal in South Korean food chain.

Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing organisms are widely recognized as clinically relevant causes of difficult-to-treat infections. CTX-M has formed a rapidly growing family distributed worldwide among a wide range of clinical bacteria, particularly members of Enterobacteriaceae. Circulating banknotes, exchanged daily among people, pose a potential vehicle for transmitting multidrug resistance. We screened for ESBL-carrying bacteria in the present study and reported CTX-M mutations in Bangladesh\'s banknotes. We sequenced the genes and performed homology modeling using the Swiss model with CTX-M-15 (4HBT) as a template. Then, we performed molecular docking of mecillinam with the template and the generated model using Autodock 4.2 (Release 4.2.6). After docking, we visually inspected the complexes built using Autodock tools for polar contacts and pi-pi interactions in PyMOL 2.5.4. Our partially sequenced blaCTX-M was related to blaCTX-M-10 and blaCTX-M-15. We observed multiple single-nucleotide substitution mutations, i.e., G613T (silent mutation), A626T (I176F), and A503G (N135D). Homology modeling showed high similarity when the model was superimposed over the template. The orientation of Asn (135) in the template and Asp (135) in the model does not show a significant difference. Likewise, Ile (176) in the template and Phe (176) in the model offer the same orientation. Our generated model could bind to Lys237, Ser240, and Asp135 residues with the lowest binding energy on docking. Our predicted binding of the mecillinam to the mutated D-135 residue in the model indicates contributions and supports previous reports proposing CTX-M-15 to CTX-M-127 mutational conversion on the mecillinum resistance phenotype.

UNASSIGNED: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is becoming a public health concern. Foodborne pathogens are infectious agents that can be transmitted from animals to humans through food and can become resistant due to misuse and overuse of antibiotics, especially in poultry. This study aimed to detect the prevalence of multidrug-resistant and extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli isolated from local and broiler chickens at the Cibinong market, West Java, Indonesia.
UNASSIGNED: A total of 60 cloacal swab samples from 30 local and broiler chickens sold at the Cibinong market in West Java were obtained by random sampling. From these samples, 39 E. coli isolates were obtained after being cultured on eosin methylene blue agar and molecularly identified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Six antibiotic disks were used for the antibiotic sensitivity test against E. coli isolates cultured on Mueller-Hinton agar. PCR was performed to detect ESBL genes (blaTEM, blaSHV, and blaCTX-M).
UNASSIGNED: A total of 76.47% (39/51) cloacal swab samples were positive for E. coli. All E. coli isolates were sensitive to imipenem (100%), and 38 isolates were sensitive to cefoxitin (FOX) (97.4%). On average, the isolates were sensitive to amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (AMC) (69.2%) and ceftriaxone (CRO) (89.7%). E. coli isolates were occasionally resistant to enrofloxacin (25.64%), followed by gentamicin (20.51%), CRO (10.25%), AMC (7.69%), and FOX (2.56%). The prevalence of E. coli AMR was 10.25% (4/39). All four multidrug-resistant E. coli isolates (blaTEM and blaCTX-M) were confirmed to have the ESBL gene based on PCR.
UNASSIGNED: The prevalence of multidrug-resistant and ESBL-producing E. coli is still found, proving that there is still inappropriate use of antibiotics and a need for strict supervision of their use, especially around Cibinong market, West Java.

Among carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) are diverse mechanisms, including those that are resistant to meropenem but susceptible to ertapenem, adding further complexity to the clinical landscape. This study investigates the emergence of ertapenem-resistant, meropenem-susceptible (ErMs) Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae CRE across five hospitals in San Antonio, Texas, USA, from 2012 to 2018. The majority of the CRE isolates were non-carbapenemase producers (NCP; 54%; 41/76); 56% of all NCP isolates had an ErMs phenotype. Among ErMs strains, E. coli comprised the majority (72%). ErMs strains carrying blaCTX-M had, on average, 9-fold higher copies of blaCTX-M than CP-ErMs strains as well as approximately 4-fold more copies than blaCTX-M-positive but ertapenem- and meropenem-susceptible (EsMs) strains (3.7 vs. 0.9, p < 0.001). Notably, carbapenem hydrolysis was observed to be mediated by strains harboring blaCTX-M with and without a carbapenemase(s). ErMs also carried more mobile genetic elements, particularly IS26 composite transposons, than EsMs (37 vs. 0.2, p < 0.0001). MGE- ISVsa5 was uniquely more abundant in ErMs than either EsMs or ErMr strains, with over 30 more average ISVsa5 counts than both phenotype groups (p < 0.0001). Immunoblot analysis demonstrated the absence of OmpC expression in NCP-ErMs E. coli, with 92% of strains lacking full contig coverage of ompC. Overall, our findings characterize both collaborative and independent efforts between blaCTX-M and OmpC in ErMs strains, indicating the need to reappraise the term \"non-carbapenemase (NCP)\", particularly for strains highly expressing blaCTX-M. To improve outcomes for CRE-infected patients, future efforts should focus on mechanisms underlying the emerging ErMs subphenotype of CRE strains to develop technologies for its rapid detection and provide targeted therapeutic strategies.

We evaluated gut carriage of extended spectrum beta lactamase producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-E) in southeastern U.S. residents without recent in-patient healthcare exposure. Study enrollment was January 2021-February 2022 in Athens, Georgia, U.S. and included a diverse population of 505 adults plus 50 child participants (age 0-5). Based on culture-based screening of stool samples, 4.5% of 555 participants carried ESBL-Es. This is slightly higher than reported in studies conducted 2012-2015, which found carriage rates of 2.5-3.9% in healthy U.S. residents. All ESBL-E confirmed isolates (n=25) were identified as Escherichia coli. Isolates belonged to 11 sequence types, with 48% classified as ST131. Ninety six percent of ESBL-E isolates carried a blaCTX-M gene. Isolated ESBL-Es frequently carried virulence genes as well as multiple classes of antibiotic resistance genes. Long-term colonization was common, with 64% of ESBL-E positive participants testing positive when rescreened three months later. One participant yielded isolates belonging to two different E. coli sequence types that carried blaCTX-M-1 genes on near-identical plasmids, suggesting intra-gut plasmid transfer. Isolation of E. coli on media without antibiotics revealed that ESBL-E. coli typically made up a minor fraction of the overall gut E. coli population, although in some cases they were the dominant strain. ESBL-E carriage was not associated with a significantly different stool microbiome composition. However, some microbial taxa were differentially abundant in ESBL-E carriers. Together, these results suggest that a small subpopulation of US residents are long-term, asymptomatic carriers of ESBL-Es, and may serve as an important reservoir for community spread of these ESBL genes.

UNASSIGNED: Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae are on the WHO priority pathogens list because they are associated with high mortality, health-care burden, and antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a serious problem that threatens global public health and should be addressed through the One Health approach. Non-human primates (NHP) have a high risk of acquiring these antibiotic-resistant bacteria due to their close phylogenetic relationship with humans and increased anthropogenic activities in their natural environments. This study aimed to detect and analyze the genomes of ESBL-producing Escherichia coli (ESBL-producing E. coli) in NHP from the Peruvian Amazon.
UNASSIGNED: We collected a total of 119 fecal samples from semi-captive Saguinus labiatus, Saguinus mystax, and Saimiri boliviensis, and captive Ateles chamek, Cebus unicolor, Lagothrix lagothricha, and Sapajus apella in the Loreto and Ucayali regions, respectively. Subsequently, we isolated and identified E. coli strains by microbiological methods, detected ESBL-producing E. coli through antimicrobial susceptibility tests following CLSI guidelines, and analyzed their genomes using previously described genomic methods.
UNASSIGNED: We detected that 7.07% (7/99) of E. coli strains: 5.45% (3/55) from Loreto and 9.09% (4/44) from Ucayali, expressed ESBL phenotype. Genomic analysis revealed the presence of high-risk pandemic clones, such as ST10 and ST117, carrying a broad resistome to relevant antibiotics, including three blaCTX-M variants: blaCTX-M-15, blaCTX-M-55, and blaCTX-M-65. Phylogenomic analysis confirmed the clonal relatedness of high-risk lineages circulating at the human-NHP interface. Additionally, two ESBL-producing E. coli strains were identified as EPEC (eae) and ExPEC according to their virulence profiles, and one more presented a hypermucoviscous phenotype.
UNASSIGNED: We report the detection and genomic analysis of seven ESBL-producing E. coli strains carrying broad resistome and virulence factors in NHP from two regions of the Peruvian Amazon. Some of these strains are closely related to high-risk pandemic lineages previously reported in humans and domestic animals, highlighting the negative impact of anthropogenic activities on Amazonian wildlife. To our knowledge, this is the first documentation of ESBL-producing E. coli in NHP from the Amazon, underscoring the importance of adopting the One Health approach to AMR surveillance and minimizing the potential transmission risk of antibiotic-resistant bacteria at the human-NHP interface.