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CC BY V4.0, Open Access
Journal article
Escherichia coli in Brazilian Poultry Fecal Samples: Co-Carriage of Fosfomycin and ESBL Resistance
Antibiotics (Basel), Vol.14(3), 269
2025
PMID: 40149080
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Fosfomycin, a critically important antibiotic, is widely used to treat urinary tract infections (UTIs) caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) Escherichia coli, particularly those producing extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs). However, its increasing use in livestock has raised concerns about resistance development and global dissemination. This study investigated fosfomycin resistance in E. coli isolates from 400 fecal samples collected at Brazilian broiler farms. Methods: The samples were tested for their minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), screened with PCR for specific resistance genes, and selected isolated were whole genome sequenced. Results: Phenotypic resistance to fosfomycin was detected in 19% (75/400) of the isolates, while the fosA3 gene, encoding enzymatic resistance, was identified in 4% (16/400) via PCR screening. Long-read sequencing of seven fosA3-positive isolates revealed the presence of fosA3 on IncFII and IncX plasmids, often co-located with blaCTX-M-55 within a conserved IS26-flanked transposon. Comparative genomic analysis of 133,541 global E. coli genomes from EnteroBase showed that 35% harbored similar transposon structures, with 2% carrying fosA3. These fosA3-positive isolates were significantly associated with South America and exhibited high co-carriage of ESBL genes, particularly in environmental and poultry-associated isolates. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated no clustering by host or geographic origin, highlighting the global dissemination of these resistance determinants. Conclusions: Our findings emphasize the role of poultry production in the spread of fosfomycin and ESBL resistance, driven by transmissible plasmids and co-selection with third-generation cephalosporins. Improved antimicrobial stewardship, surveillance programs, and alternative management strategies are urgently needed to mitigate the dissemination of resistance and preserve fosfomycin’s efficacy in human medicine.
Details
- Title
- Escherichia coli in Brazilian Poultry Fecal Samples: Co-Carriage of Fosfomycin and ESBL Resistance
- Authors/Creators
- Felipe Juscele - Universidade de São PauloAndre B S Saidenberg - Statens Serum InstitutLars E B Christoffersen - Statens Serum InstitutSofie M Edslev - Statens Serum InstitutSøren Hallstrøm - Statens Serum InstitutJessica R Nacarato - Universidade de São PauloFernanda B Barbosa - School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-270, BrazilMarcos P Cunha - Universidade de São PauloFernanda Esposito - Universidade de São PauloNilton H Lincopan - Universidade de São PauloMarc Stegger - Statens Serum InstitutTerezinha Knöbl - Universidade de São Paulo
- Publication Details
- Antibiotics (Basel), Vol.14(3), 269
- Publisher
- MDPI
- Number of pages
- 14
- Grant note
- 2022/11917-1 / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo financial code 0001 / Coordenação de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior 309921/2023-6 / National Council for Scientific and Technological Development
- Identifiers
- 991005757633207891
- Copyright
- © 2025 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
- Murdoch Affiliation
- Harry Butler Institute
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Citation topics
- 1 Clinical & Life Sciences
- 1.23 Antibiotics & Antimicrobials
- 1.23.146 Antimicrobial Resistance
- Web Of Science research areas
- Infectious Diseases
- Pharmacology & Pharmacy
- ESI research areas
- Pharmacology & Toxicology