Molecular characterization of plasmids encoding bla from faecal Escherichia coli in travellers returning to the UK from South Asia
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2021-04-20Subject
Microbiology. ImmunologyPublic health. Health statistics. Occupational health. Health education
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Background: The global prevalence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli is rising and is dominated by blaCTX-M spread by plasmids. Travellers to South Asia from Western Europe have high rates of acquisition of faecal CTX-M-producing E. coli (CTX-M-EC). Aims: To determine the conjugative ability of CTX-M-EC acquired by healthy volunteers after travel to South Asia, the proportion of travel-acquired CTX-M-EC where blaCTX-M is encoded on a plasmid vs on the bacterial chromosome, and the relatedness of travel-acquired CTX-M-EC plasmids to previously sequenced plasmids. Methods: Faecal samples were collected pre- and post-travel from 23 volunteers who visited South Asia, and CTX-M-EC were cultured. After short- and long-read sequencing, 10 plasmid sequences were identified and compared with previously sequenced plasmids in GenBank. Conjugation to E. coli K-12 was undertaken using filter mating. Findings: Thirty-five percent of CTX-M-EC isolates tested transferred the blaCTX-M plasmid by conjugation. Travel-acquired CTX-M-EC carried blaCTX-M on a plasmid in 62% of isolates, whereas 38% of isolates had blaCTX-M on the chromosome. CTX-M-EC plasmids acquired after travel to South Asia had close homology to previously described epidemic plasmids which are widely disseminated in humans, animals and the natural environment. Conclusion: Globally successful epidemic plasmids are involved in the spread of CTX-M-EC. Targeted strategies may be used to displace such plasmids from the host strain as part of efforts in infection prevention and control in healthcare settings. Bacteria with blaCTX-M plasmids were readily acquired by healthy volunteers, and were carried on return to the UK, providing opportunities for onward dissemination.Citation
Bevan ER, Powell MJ, Toleman MA, Thomas CM, Piddock LJV, Hawkey PM. Molecular characterization of plasmids encoding blaCTX-M from faecal Escherichia coli in travellers returning to the UK from South Asia. J Hosp Infect. 2021 Aug;114:134-143. doi: 10.1016/j.jhin.2021.03.030. Epub 2021 Apr 20Type
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http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/01956701PMID
33862156Publisher
W.B. Saundersae974a485f413a2113503eed53cd6c53
10.1016/j.jhin.2021.03.030