High prevalence of a gene cluster conferring resistance to streptomycin, sulfonamide, and tetracycline in Escherichia coli isolated from indigenous wild birds

[摘要] A total of 116 Escherichia coli isolates from cecal contents of 81 indigenous wild birds in Korea were tested for antimicrobial susceptibility. Seventy-one isolates from sparrows ( Passer montanus ) and one isolate from doves ( Columba livia ) were resistant to three antimicrobials, including streptomycin, sulfonamide, and tetracycline (SSuT). PCR and subsequent sequence analysis revealed the SSuT gene cluster region (approximately 13 kb) harboring genes encoding resistance to streptomycin ( strA and strB ), sulfonamide ( sul2 ), and tetracycline ( tetB , tetC , tetD , and tetR ). In particular, tetracycline resistance genes were located on the transposon Tn 10 -like element. The SSuT element-harboring E. coli can be an important source of the transmission of antimicrobial resistance to other pathogenic bacteria. Therefore, strict sanitary measures in human and animal environments are necessary to prevent the spread of resistant bacteria through fecal residues of wild birds.

[学科分类] 微生物学和免疫学

[关键词] antimicrobial resistance;Escherichia coli;streptomycin;sulfonamide;tetracycline;wild birds