A three-year evolution and comparison of the blaCTX-M genes in pathogenic and non-pathogenic Escherichia coli isolated from young diarrheic and septicaemic calves in Belgium

Res Vet Sci. 2022 Dec 20:152:647-650. doi: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2022.09.037. Epub 2022 Oct 4.

Abstract

Escherichia coli producing Extended-Spectrum-β-Lactamases (ESBL) are a major public health hazard worldwide. The most frequent ESBL belong to the CTX-M family. This study follows their prevalence in pathogenic and non-pathogenic ESBL-producing E. coli isolated from young diarrheic and septicaemic calves over three calving seasons. The triplex PCR targeted three main groups: CTX-M-1, CTX-M-2 and CTX-M-9. Of the 394 isolates studied, 388 (98.5%) were positive, with a majority of CTX-M-1 (243, 61.7%), following by CTX-M-9 (74, 18.8%) and CTX-M-2 (64, 16.2%). The progressive decrease of ESBL-resistance of pathogenic E. coli is not linked to any shift in genetic background, blaCTX-M genes still present in 99% of the isolates, or to the proportion of the three CTX-M groups. Moreover, no significant difference was observed in the CTX-M content between pathogenic and non-pathogenic E. coli.

Keywords: Antimicrobial resistance; CTX-M; ESBL; Escherichia coli; Livestock.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Belgium / epidemiology
  • Cattle
  • Cattle Diseases* / epidemiology
  • Escherichia coli / genetics
  • Escherichia coli Infections* / epidemiology
  • Escherichia coli Infections* / veterinary
  • Escherichia coli Proteins* / genetics
  • beta-Lactamases / genetics

Substances

  • beta-Lactamases
  • Escherichia coli Proteins
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents