The European livestock resistome.

Metagenomic sequencing has proven to be a powerful tool in the monitoring of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Here, we provide a comparative analysis of the resistome from pigs, poultry, veal calves, turkey, and rainbow trout, for a total of 538 herds across nine European countries. We calculated the effects of per-farm management practices and antimicrobial usage (AMU) on the resistome in pigs, broilers, and veal calves.

Longitudinal Study of Dynamic Epidemiology of Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase-Producing Escherichia coli in Pigs and Humans Living and/or Working on Pig Farms.

Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing have been increasingly isolated from pigs, highlighting their potential for transmission to humans living and/or working within pig farms. As longitudinal data on the prevalence and the molecular characteristics of such isolates from the high-risk farming population remain scarce, we performed a long-term study on 39 Dutch pig farms. Fecal samples from pigs, farmers, family members, and employees were collected during four sampling occasions with a 6-month period.

Horizontal Gene Transfer of an IncP1 Plasmid to Soil Bacterial Community Introduced by through Manure Amendment in Soil Microcosms.

The quantification and identification of new plasmid-acquiring bacteria in representative mating conditions is critical to characterize the risk of horizontal gene transfer in the environment. This study aimed to quantify conjugation events resulting from manure application to soils and identify the transconjugants resulting from these events. Conjugation was quantified at multiple time points by plating and flow cytometry, and the transconjugants were recovered by fluorescence-activated cell sorting and identified by 16S rRNA sequencing.

Antimicrobial resistance monitoring in commensal and clinical Escherichia coli from broiler chickens: Differences and similarities.

Background: In the Netherlands, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is monitored in commensal indicator Escherichia coli from healthy broilers at slaughter as part of a European monitoring programme. In a separate programme for poultry health, AMR is monitored in veterinary pathogens from diseased broilers. So far, it is unknown how the outcomes of these two AMR monitoring approaches in the same animal population are associated.

Antimicrobial resistance genes aph(3')-III, erm(B), sul2 and tet(W) abundance in animal faeces, meat, production environments and human faeces in Europe.

Background: Real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) is an affordable method to quantify antimicrobial resistance gene (ARG) targets, allowing comparisons of ARG abundance along animal production chains.

Objectives: We present a comparison of ARG abundance across various animal species, production environments and humans in Europe. AMR variation sources were quantified.

Comparison of different antimicrobial use indicators and antimicrobial resistance data in food-producing animals.

Objectives: To explore the effects of using different indicators to quantify antimicrobial usage (AMU) in livestock and compare outcomes with antimicrobial resistance (AMR) data.

Methods: Three indicators were used to quantify AMU, two indicators in which the denominator varied: defined daily doses per average mass of the animals present per year (DDD/AY) and defined daily doses per population correction unit (DDD/PCU) and one in which the numerator varied: milligrams of active ingredient per PCU (mg/PCU). AMU was compared with antimicrobial resistance data from the national monitoring programme from 2013 to 2018 with the proportion of isolates fully susceptible to a predefined panel of antimicrobials for the broiler, dairy cattle and pig farming livestock sectors in the Netherlands.

Risk factors for the abundance of antimicrobial resistance genes aph(3')-III, erm(B), sul2 and tet(W) in pig and broiler faeces in nine European countries.

Objectives: The occurrence and zoonotic potential of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in pigs and broilers has been studied intensively in past decades. Here, we describe AMR levels of European pig and broiler farms and determine the potential risk factors.

Methods: We collected faeces from 181 pig farms and 181 broiler farms in nine European countries.

Determinants for antimicrobial resistance genes in farm dust on 333 poultry and pig farms in nine European countries.

Livestock feces with antimicrobial resistant bacteria reaches the farm floor, manure pit, farm land and wider environment by run off and aerosolization. Little research has been done on the role of dust in the spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in farms. Concentrations and potential determinants of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) in farm dust are at present not known.

Risk Factors for Antimicrobial Resistance in Turkey Farms: A Cross-Sectional Study in Three European Countries.

Food-producing animals are an important reservoir and potential source of transmission of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) to humans. However, research on AMR in turkey farms is limited. This study aimed to identify risk factors for AMR in turkey farms in three European countries (Germany, France, and Spain).

Temperature and Nutrient Limitations Decrease Transfer of Conjugative IncP-1 Plasmid pKJK5 to Wild Strains.

Plasmid-mediated dissemination of antibiotic resistance among fecal in natural ecosystems may contribute to the persistence of antibiotic resistance genes in anthropogenically impacted environments. Plasmid transfer frequencies measured under laboratory conditions might lead to overestimation of plasmid transfer potential in natural ecosystems. This study assessed differences in the conjugative transfer of an IncP-1 (pKJK5) plasmid to three natural strains carrying extended-spectrum beta-lactamases, by filter mating.

Occurrence and Molecular Characteristics of Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase-Producing Enterobacterales Recovered From Chicken, Chicken Meat, and Human Infections in Sao Paulo State, Brazil.

This study aimed to investigate the phylogenetic diversity and epidemiology of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing and from chicken, chicken meat, and human clinical isolates in Sao Paolo, Brazil, and characterize their respective ESBL-encoding plasmids. Three hundred samples from chicken cloaca, chicken meat, and clinical isolates were phenotypically and genotypically assessed for ESBL resistance. Isolates were identified by MALDI TOF-MS and further characterized by MLST analysis and phylogenetic grouping.

Latent class analysis to assess whole-genome sequencing versus broth microdilution for monitoring antimicrobial resistance in livestock.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) monitoring in animals is performed in commensal Escherichia coli, and other microorganisms relevant for human or veterinary health. Due to advances in the field and major reductions in cost, it is expected that whole-genome sequencing (WGS)-based antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) will (partly) replace culture-based AST. So far, no studies have been performed without using culture-based AST as the gold standard.

Targeted metagenomics reveals inferior resilience of farm soil resistome compared to soil microbiome after manure application.

Application of animal manure to soils results in the introduction of manure-derived bacteria and their antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) into soils. ResCap is a novel targeted-metagenomic approach that allows the detection of minority components of the resistome gene pool without the cost-prohibitive coverage depths and can provide a valuable tool to study the spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the environment. We used high-throughput sequencing and qPCR for 16S rRNA gene fragments as well as ResCap to explore the dynamics of bacteria, and ARGs introduced to soils and adjacent water ditches, both at community and individual scale, over a period of three weeks.

Antimicrobial resistance clusters in commensal Escherichia coli from livestock.

To combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR), policymakers need an overview of evolution and trends of AMR in relevant animal reservoirs, and livestock is monitored by susceptibility testing of sentinel organisms such as commensal E. coli. Such monitoring data are often vast and complex and generates a need for outcome indicators that summarize AMR for multiple antimicrobial classes.

Competitive Exclusion Prevents Colonization and Compartmentalization Reduces Transmission of ESBL-Producing in Broilers.

Extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing bacteria are resistant to extended-spectrum cephalosporins and are common in broilers. Interventions are needed to reduce the prevalence of ESBL-producing bacteria in the broiler production pyramid. This study investigated two different interventions.

Mobile colistin resistance gene mcr-1 detected on an IncI1 plasmid in Escherichia coli from meat.

Objectives: Mobile colistin resistance (mcr) genes encoded on conjugative plasmids, although described only relatively recently, have been reported globally both in humans and livestock. The genes are often associated with the insertion sequence ISApl1 that can transpose the genes to novel genetic locations. Since its first report, multiple variants of mcr have been discovered in a variety of genetic locations in Escherichia coli, in plasmids and integrated into the chromosome.

Association of antimicrobial usage with faecal abundance of aph(3')-III, ermB, sul2 and tetW resistance genes in veal calves in three European countries.

Background: High antimicrobial use (AMU) and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in veal calves remain a source of concern. As part of the EFFORT project, the association between AMU and the abundance of faecal antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) in veal calves in three European countries was determined.

Methods: In 2015, faecal samples of veal calves close to slaughter were collected from farms located in France, Germany and the Netherlands (20 farms in France, 20 farms in the Netherlands and 21 farms in Germany; 25 calves per farm).

Farm dust resistomes and bacterial microbiomes in European poultry and pig farms.

Background: Livestock farms are a reservoir of antimicrobial resistant bacteria from feces. Airborne dust-bound bacteria can spread across the barn and to the outdoor environment. Therefore, exposure to farm dust may be of concern for animals, farmers and neighboring residents.

Early life supply of competitive exclusion products reduces colonization of extended spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli in broilers.

Broilers are an important reservoir of extended spectrum beta-lactamase and AmpC beta-lactamase (ESBL/pAmpC)-producing bacteria. In previous studies, a single supply of a competitive exclusion (CE) product before challenge with a high dose of ESBL/pAmpC-producing Escherichia coli led to reduced colonization, excretion, and transmission, but could not prevent colonization. The hypothesized mechanism is competition; therefore, in this study the effect of a prolonged supply of CE products on colonization, excretion, and transmission of ESBL-producing E.

Description and determinants of the faecal resistome and microbiome of farmers and slaughterhouse workers: A metagenome-wide cross-sectional study.

Background: By studying the entire human faecal resistome and associated microbiome, the diversity and abundance of faecal antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) can be comprehensively characterized. Prior culture-based studies have shown associations between occupational exposure to livestock and carriage of specific antimicrobial resistant bacteria. Using shotgun metagenomics, the present study investigated 194 faecal resistomes and bacteriomes from humans occupationally exposed to ARGs in livestock (i.

Development and evaluation of 4 loop-mediated isothermal amplification assays to detect mastitis-causing bacteria in bovine milk samples.

Farmers prefer fast, sensitive, and on-site tests for treatment decisions on mastitis. Due to the time to results of the currently available diagnostic tools, these are rarely used for that purpose. Genotypic tests that do not require a growth step may be suitable for on-site testing, for example loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), which has been described as a sensitive test that can be used on-site.

The impact of manure and soil texture on antimicrobial resistance gene levels in farmlands and adjacent ditches.

Manure application can spread antimicrobial resistance (AMR) from manure to soil and surface water. This study evaluated the role of the soil texture on the dynamics of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) in soils and surrounding surface waters. Six dairy farms with distinct soil textures (clay, sand, and peat) were sampled at different time points after the application of manure, and three representative ARGs sul1, erm(B), and tet(W) were quantified with qPCR.

Antimicrobial Resistance in Salmonella enterica Serovar Paratyphi B Variant Java in Poultry from Europe and Latin America.

Salmonella enterica serovar Paratyphi B variant Java sequence type 28 is prevalent in poultry and poultry meat. We investigated the evolutionary relatedness between sequence type 28 strains from Europe and Latin America using time-resolved phylogeny and principal component analysis. We sequenced isolates from Colombia, Guatemala, Costa Rica, and the Netherlands and complemented them with publicly available genomes from Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.