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Special Issue "Antimicrobial Resistance and Zoonoses"

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A special issue of Antibiotics (ISSN 2079-6382). This special issue belongs to the section "Antibiotics in Animal Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2023 | Viewed by 13864

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Dr. Magdalena Rzewuska

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Department of Preclinical Sciences, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences - SGGW, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland
Interests: clinical veterinary microbiology; molecular biology; antimicrobial resistance; animal pathogens; infectious diseases; zoonoses; Actinomycetales
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Prof. Dr. Marina Spînu

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Department of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Interests: animal infectious diseases; antimicrobial resistance; veterinary immunology; environmental microbiology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Lucjan Witkowski

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Laboratory of Veterinary Epidemiology and Economic, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences - SGGW, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland
Interests: infectious diseases; equine; epidemiology; horse; diagnostic tests

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Antimicrobial resistance in bacteria with zoonotic potential is of special significance to a correlation between human health, animal health, and the environment underlying the One Health concept. The phenomenon of antimicrobial resistance remains poorly recognized in some important zoonotic pathogens. There is still limited data on resistance phenotypes and mechanisms in zoonotic species belonging to the genera such as Rickettsia, Chlamydia, Coxiella, Borrelia, Leptospira, Brucella, Francisella, or Mycoplasma. It should be highlighted that those bacteria are frequently multi-host pathogens infecting domestic as well as wild animals; moreover, some of them are able to grow in the environment, while others are transmitted by different vectors. Various factors, including those causing a co-selection effect, may influence such bacteria, leading to development of acquired antimicrobial resistance. In this context, every piece of research on the resistance determinants and every surveillance of their dissemination or every monitoring the spread of resistant strains in different geographical regions, providing new data on the antimicrobial resistance in zoonotic pathogens, is particularly valuable for both human and veterinary medicine.

Therefore, we introduce this Special Issue of Antibiotics to encourage you to submit research in all aspects of antimicrobial resistance in bacteria causing zoonoses, the above-mentioned pathogens as well as better described zoonotic agents such as Campylobacter spp., Vibrio spp., Salmonella spp., staphylococci, Actinomycetales, and many others. We welcome original research or review papers that may improve our knowledge in this area.

Dr. Magdalena Rzewuska
Prof. Dr. Marina Spînu
Dr. Lucjan Witkowski
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Antibiotics is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

antibiotics
antimicrobial resistance
antimicrobial resistance genes
monitoring
One Health
pathogen transmission
resistance mechanisms
surveillance
zoonotic pathogens
zoonosis

Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

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Open AccessArticle

Antimicrobial Resistant Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci Carried by House Flies (Musca domestica) Captured in Swine and Poultry Farms

and

Valentina Virginia Ebani

Antibiotics 2023, 12(4), 636; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics12040636 - 23 Mar 2023

Viewed by 669

Abstract

House flies (Musca domestica) are very diffuse insects attracted by biological materials. They are abundantly present in farm environments and can frequently come in contact with animals, feed, manure, waste, surfaces, and fomites; consequently, these insects could be contaminated, carry, and disperse several microorganisms. The aim of this work was to evaluate the presence of antimicrobial-resistant staphylococci in house flies collected in poultry and swine farms. Thirty-five traps were placed in twenty-two farms; from each trap, 3 different kinds of samples were tested: attractant material present in the traps, the body surface of house flies and the body content of house flies. Staphylococci were detected in 72.72% of farms, 65.71% of traps and 43.81% of samples. Only coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) were isolated, and 49 isolates were subjected to an antimicrobial susceptibility test. Most of the isolates were resistant to amikacin (65.31%), ampicillin (46.94%), rifampicin (44.90%), tetracycline (40.82%) and cefoxitin (40.82%). Minimum Inhibitory concentration assay allowed to confirm 11/49 (22.45%) staphylococci as methicillin-resistant; 4 of them (36.36%) carried the mecA gene. Furthermore, 53.06% of the isolates were classified as multidrug-resistant (MDR). Higher levels of resistance and multidrug resistance were detected in CoNS isolated from flies collected in poultry farms than in swine farms. Therefore, house flies could carry MDR and methicillin-resistant staphylococci, representing a possible source of infection for animals and humans. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antimicrobial Resistance and Zoonoses)

Open AccessArticle

Tetracycline, Macrolide and Lincosamide Resistance in Streptococcus canis Strains from Companion Animals and Its Genetic Determinants

Ilona Stefańska

Ewelina Kwiecień

Magdalena Kizerwetter-Świda

Dorota Chrobak-Chmiel

and

Magdalena Rzewuska

Antibiotics 2022, 11(8), 1034; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics11081034 - 31 Jul 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1037

Abstract

Growing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in companion-animal pathogens, including Streptococcus canis (S. canis), is a significant concern for pet treatment as well for public health. Despite the importance of S. canis in veterinary and human medicine, studies concerning the AMR of this bacterium are still scarce. A total of 65 S. canis strains, isolated from dogs and cats, were assessed to test for susceptibility to six clinically relevant antimicrobials via a microdilution method. The prevalence of the selected acquired-resistance genes was also investigated via PCR. High MIC₅₀ and MIC₉₀ values (≥128 μg/mL) were noted for tetracycline, erythromycin and clindamycin. Only a few strains were resistant to the tested beta-lactams (6.2%). Tetracycline resistance was found in 66.2% of the strains. Resistance to erythromycin and clindamycin (ML resistance) was found in 55.4% of the strains. Strains with a phenotype showing concurrent resistance to tetracycline and ML were predominant (53.8%). AMR in the tested S. canis strains was associated with a variety of acquired and potentially transferable genes. Tetracycline resistance was conferred by tet(O) (40.0%), tet(M) (9.2%), and tet(T) (1.5%), which is reported for the first time in S. canis. In most cases, the tet(M) gene was detected in relation to the conjugative transposon Tn916. The MLS_B phenotype was confirmed in the strains harboring erm(B) (43.1%) and erm(TR) (7.7%). To conclude, a high rate of S. canis strains occurring in dogs and cats displayed resistance to antimicrobials important for treatment; moreover, they are a potential reservoirs of various resistance determinants. Therefore, AMR in these pathogens should be continuously monitored, especially regarding the One Health concept. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antimicrobial Resistance and Zoonoses)

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Open AccessArticle

Should We Consider Them as a Threat? Antimicrobial Resistance, Virulence Potential and Genetic Diversity of Campylobacter spp. Isolated from Varsovian Dogs

and

Agnieszka Sałamaszyńska-Guz

Antibiotics 2022, 11(7), 964; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics11070964 - 18 Jul 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1010

Abstract

Campylobacteriosis seems to be a growing problem worldwide. Apart from the most common sources of numerous Campylobacter species, such as poultry and other farm animals, dogs may be an underrated reservoir of this pathogen. Our goal was to establish the frequency of occurrence, antimicrobial resistance, and detection of chosen virulence factor genes in genomes of canine Campylobacter isolates. Campylobacter isolates frequency in dogs from shelters, and private origin was 13%. All of the tested virulence factor genes were found in 28 of 31 isolates. We determined high resistance levels to the ciprofloxacin and ampicillin and moderate tetracycline resistance. For C. jejuni shelter isolates, genetic diversity was also determined using PFGE. Our results indicate that dogs may be the reservoir of potentially diverse, potentially virulent, and antimicrobial-resistant Campylobacter strains. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antimicrobial Resistance and Zoonoses)

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Open AccessCommunication

Wild Duck (Anas platyrhynchos) as a Source of Antibiotic-Resistant Salmonella enterica subsp. diarizonae O58—The First Report in Poland

Joanna Pławińska-Czarnak

Karolina Wódz

Lidia Piechowicz

Ewa Tokarska-Pietrzak

and

Antibiotics 2022, 11(4), 530; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics11040530 - 15 Apr 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1600

Abstract

The “One Health” approach increasingly demonstrates the global spread of pathogenic microorganisms and their antimicrobial resistance in the environment, both in animals and humans. Salmonella enterica subsp. diarizonae is nowadays very often isolated from cold-blooded reptiles to a lesser extent from sheep, but unfortunately more and more often from humans. However, there are a few studies describing the isolation of Salmonella enterica subsp. diarizonae from migratory wild birds. The mallard duck (Anas platyrhynchos), a wild animal that traverses the continent of Eurasia, can be an excellent indicator of the spread of intestinal microbes as well as their resistance to antibiotics. This is the first report of the Salmonella enterica subsp. diarizonae detection in Poland in a migrating mallard duck. This research presented the identification difficulties associated with the isolation of Salmonella enterica subsp. diarizonae using three different biochemical tests and advanced serology tests. At the same time, we detected very high antimicrobial resistance in the isolated strain. By using the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) method, it was found that the isolated strain of S. enterica subsp. diarizonae has high antibiotic resistance against 14 of the 33 tested antimicrobials agents. The resistance genes that have been identified in S. enterica subsp. diarizonae include aadA, strA/strB, and bla_TEM. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antimicrobial Resistance and Zoonoses)

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Open AccessArticle

Occurrence and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Profiles of Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus Strains Isolated from Mares with Fertility Problems

Francesca Paola Nocera

and

Antibiotics 2022, 11(1), 25; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics11010025 - 27 Dec 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2307

Abstract

Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus (S. zooepidemicus), is a β-hemolytic Streptococcus belonging to the Lancefield group C; it is a rare human pathogen, but in horses, it is frequently associated with endometritis. This study aimed to isolate S. zooepidemicus strains, associated with bacterial endometritis in mares, and to define their antimicrobial resistance profile. Twenty-three isolates were recovered from one hundred ninety-six equine uterine swabs (11.7%). Bacterial identification was carried out by Api 20 Strep and confirmed by matrix assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS), while antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed by disk diffusion method on Muller Hinton agar plates. The antibiotic resistance profiles of the isolates revealed a high percentage of resistance to amikacin (95.6%), ampicillin (73.9%) and tetracycline (69.6%), while ceftiofur and ceftriaxone were highly effective with 82.6% and 78.3% of the isolates inhibited, respectively. An intriguing value of resistance to penicillin (34.8%), which represents the first-choice antibiotic in equine S. zooepidemicus infections, was observed. Furthermore, a high prevalence of multidrug-resistant strains (82.6%) was recorded. Continuous surveillance of this potential zoonotic pathogen and an appropriate antimicrobial stewardship program with the promotion of correct use of antimicrobials, after a proper diagnosis, are needed to allow an effective therapy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antimicrobial Resistance and Zoonoses)

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Open AccessArticle

Antimicrobial Resistance Profiles and Genetic Typing of Salmonella Serovars from Chicken Embryos in China

and

Antibiotics 2021, 10(10), 1156; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics10101156 - 24 Sep 2021

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 1709

Abstract

Salmonella continues to be a major food and public health burden worldwide that can threaten human health via eating contaminated meats, particularly those originating from chicken. In this study, the antimicrobial resistance profiles, epidemiological characteristics of resistance genes, and pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE-XbaI) typing of 120 non-Pullorum/Gallinarum Salmonella isolates recovered from chicken embryos in Henan province were determined. The antimicrobial resistant phenotypes and evaluation of the extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) producing strains of Salmonella were investigated by the Kirby–Bauer test and the double-disk synergy test. Additionally, 37 antimicrobial resistance genes encoding resistance to five different categories, including aminoglycosides, cephalosporins, sulphonamides, tetracyclines, and β-lactams, were examined by conventional PCR. However, genotyping analysis was conducted by macro-restriction using enzyme XbaI followed by the separation of the restricted DNA fragments by PFGE. The results of this study showed that the studied Salmonella strains were highly resistant to ampicillin (66.67%) and sulfisoxazole (66.67%), while they were all susceptible to meropenem, imipenem, colistin, and chloramphenicol. Additionally, 67.5% (81/120) of the studied strains were multidrug resistant, and 21.67% (26/120) were phenotypically confirmed as ESBLs positive. The statistical analysis showed that resistance depends on the serovars, and ESBLs positive strains showed more multi-resistance than ESBLs negative strains (p < 0.05). The genotypic antimicrobial resistance showed the detection of 14 among the 37 tested genes, and the concordance between genotypic and phenotypic antimicrobial resistance ranged from 0% to 100% depending on the serovars. However, the PFGE-XbaI typing results showed that the examined Salmonella strains were divided into 22 individual subtypes and were grouped in nine clusters, with similarity values ranging from 64.7% to 100%. From this study, we can conclude that the antimicrobial resistance of Salmonella serovars isolated from chicken embryos in Henan province was alarming, with rigorous multidrug resistance, which requires the urgent mitigation of the use of antimicrobial drugs in chicken hatcheries. Additionally, our results showed evidence of the presence of different PFGE patterns among the studied Salmonella serovars, suggesting the presence of different sources of contamination. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antimicrobial Resistance and Zoonoses)

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Open AccessArticle

Association of Antimicrobial Resistance in Campylobacter spp. in Broilers and Turkeys with Antimicrobial Use

and

Antibiotics 2021, 10(6), 673; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics10060673 - 04 Jun 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1488

Abstract

We investigated trends in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli in poultry between 2010 and 2016 in Germany and their association with antimicrobial use. Campylobacter had been isolated from the caeca of broilers and turkeys at slaughter by regional laboratories according to current ISO methods in the framework of a national monitoring program. Isolates were submitted to the National Reference Laboratory for Campylobacter and tested for AMR using broth microdilution methods. Minimum inhibitory concentrations were evaluated according to epidemiological cut-off values. Antimicrobial use (AMU) data from 2014 to 2016 were taken from a government report. AMR was higher in C. coli than in C. jejuni and higher in turkeys than in broilers. AMR was highest to tetracycline and the tested (fluoro)quinolones while it was rare to gentamicin in both bacterial species, infrequent to erythromycin in C. jejuni, and moderate in C. coli. AMR to tetracycline and erythromycin decreased over time while it increased to (fluoro)quinolones. An association of AMU and AMR was observed for resistance to tetracycline and erythromycin, while it was not observed for the aminoglycosides. Resistance to nalidixic acid and ciprofloxacin increased despite a decrease of fluoroquinolone use between 2014 and 2016, indicating that other factors have a strong influence on resistance to (fluoro)quinolones in Campylobacter. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antimicrobial Resistance and Zoonoses)

Review

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Open AccessReview

Clinical Aspects of Bacterial Distribution and Antibiotic Resistance in the Reproductive System of Equids

Panagiota Tyrnenopoulou

and

George C. Fthenakis

Antibiotics 2023, 12(4), 664; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics12040664 - 28 Mar 2023

Viewed by 607

Abstract

Antibiotic administration is a standard therapeutic practice for the treatment of reproductive disorders of equids. This might lead to undesirable microbial imbalance and could favour the acquisition of antibiotic resistance. Therefore, it is imperative for clinicians to understand patterns of antibiotic resistance when considering and developing treatment regimes. Continued engagement of clinicians with novel alternative approaches to treat reproductive infections would be essential in order to address this rising threat within the One Health perspective. The objectives of the present review were to present the bacterial infections in the reproductive system of equids (horses, donkeys), to upraise the literature related to the issue of antibiotic resistance of bacteria causing these infections and to discuss the topic from a clinical perspective. Initially, the review summarised the various infections of the reproductive system of equids (genital system of females, genital system of males, mammary glands) and the causal bacteria, providing relevant information about horses and donkeys. Subsequently, the clinical therapeutics of these infections were presented, taking into account the significance of antibiotic resistance of bacteria as a limiting factor in treating the infections. Finally, approaches to circumvent antibiotic resistance in clinical settings were summarized. It was concluded that awareness regarding antibiotic resistance in equine reproductive medicine would increase, as we would recognise the multifaceted problem of resistance. Actions and initiatives within the One Health approach, minimizing the potential dissemination of resistant strains to humans and to the environment, with specific applications in medicine of equids should be appropriately instituted internationally. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antimicrobial Resistance and Zoonoses)

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Open AccessReview

Lagoon, Anaerobic Digestion, and Composting of Animal Manure Treatments Impact on Tetracycline Resistance Genes

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Antibiotics 2022, 11(3), 391; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics11030391 - 15 Mar 2022

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2216

Abstract

Increased demand for animal protein is met by increased food animal production resulting in large quantities of manure. Animal producers, therefore, need sustainable agricultural practices to protect environmental health. Large quantities of antimicrobials are used in commercial food animal production. Consequently, antimicrobial-resistant bacteria and the resistance genes emerge and are excreted through feces. Manure management is essential for the safe disposal of animal waste. Lagoons, with or without covers, and anaerobic digesters, with the primary purpose of methane production, and composting, with the primary purpose of producing organic fertilizer, are widely used methods of manure treatment. We reviewed manure management practices and their impact on tetracycline resistance genes. Lagoons are maintained at ambient temperatures; especially uncovered lagoons are the least effective in removing tetracycline resistance genes. However, some modifications can improve the performance of lagoons: sequential use of uncovered lagoons and the use of covered lagoons resulted in a one-log reduction, while post-treatments such as biofiltration following covered lagoon treatment resulted in 3.4 log reduction. Mesophilic digestion of animal manure did not have any significant effect; only a 0.7 log reduction in tet(A) was observed in one study. While thermophilic anaerobic digesters are effective, if properly operated, they are expensive for animal producers. Aerobic thermophilic composting is a promising technology if optimized with its economic benefits. Composting of raw animal manure can result in up to a 2.5 log reduction, and postdigestion composting can reduce tetracycline resistance gene concentration by >80%. In general, manure management was not designed to mitigate antimicrobial resistance; future research is needed to optimize the economic benefits of biogas or organic fertilizer on the one hand and for the mitigation of foodborne pathogens and antimicrobial resistance on the other. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antimicrobial Resistance and Zoonoses)

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