Potentially Pathogenic Multidrug-Resistant in Lamb Meat.

Extended-spectrum cephalosporin (ESC) resistance remains a threat since ESC are important antimicrobials used to treat infections in humans and animals. is an important source of ESC-resistance genes, such as those encoding extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs). is a common commensal of lambs. Reports that contaminated food can be a source of ESC-resistant bacteria in humans and that ESBL-producing are found in sheep in Brazil led us to survey their presence in retail lamb meat. Twenty-five samples intended for human consumption were screened for ESC-resistant , and the isolates were characterized. IncI1- and IncHI2- were the main plasmids responsible for ESC resistance. The plasmids harbored common ESBL genes in Enterobacteriaceae from food-producing animals in Brazil. IncI1- and IncF- plasmids, associated with human infections, were also detected. Few CTX-M-producing have been clustered by typing methods, and some may be genetically pathogenic. The findings indicate the presence of diverse strains of , harboring important ESBL genes, in lamb meat in Brazil. Surveillance of ESC-resistant bacteria could reduce the spread of antimicrobial resistance through the food chain.