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Aim: The occurrence and epidemiology of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli in the environment of turkey farms in the Czech Republic were studied. Methods and Results: Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing E. coli isolates were found on 8 (20%) of 40 turkey farms surveyed. A total of 200 environmental smears were examined, and a total of 25 ESBL-producing E. coli were isolated. These isolates were analysed using XbaI pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and divided into nine pulsotypes. Most of the isolates harboured the gene blaSHV-12 on a 40-kb plasmid of the IncFII group with an identical EcoRV restriction profile. Indistinguishable or clonally related SHV-12-producing isolates belonging to the same pulsotypes were found at some unrelated farms. Conclusions: Widespread occurrence of ESBL-producing E. coli isolates with blaSHV-12 carried on IncFII plasmids in meat production flocks in the Czech Republic was demonstrated. Significance and Impact of the Study: Results indicate vertical transmission of ESBL-producing E. coli within the turkey production pyramid. The study shows the risk of multiresistant ESBL-producing bacteria and antibiotic-resistance genes being transmitted to humans via the food chain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Provides information on a study where synanthropic sparrows in Poland and Czech Republic were tested for toxoplasma gondii antibodies. Methodology used to conduct study; Results of the study.

Examines the prevalence of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis infections in goats in the Czech Republic. Identification of antibodies to C. pseudotuberculosis; Use of phospholipase D in neutralization tests; Clinical manifestations of caseous lymphadenitis.

Wastewaters belong among the most important sources of environmental pollution, including antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The aim of the study was to evaluate treated wastewaters as a possible transmission pathway for bacterial colonisation of gulls occupying the receiving river. A collection of antibiotic-resistant Escherichia coli originating both from treated municipal wastewaters discharged to the river Svratka (Czech Republic) and nestlings of Black-headed Gull ( Chroicocephalus ridibundus ) living 35 km downstream of the outlet was obtained using selective cultivation. Isolates were further characterised by various phenotyping and genotyping methods. From a total of 670 E. coli isolates (450 from effluents, 220 from gulls), 86 isolates (41 from effluents, 45 from gulls) showed identical antibiotic resistance phenotype and genotype and were further analysed for clonal relatedness using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Despite the overall high diversity of the isolates, 21 isolates from both sources showed similar PFGE profiles. Isolates belonging to epidemiologically important sequence types (ST131, 15 isolates; ST23, three isolates) were subjected to whole-genome sequencing. Subsequent phylogenetic analysis did not reveal any close clonal relationship between the isolates from the effluents and gulls' nestlings with the closest strains showing 90 SNPs difference. Although our study did not provide direct evidence of transmission of antibiotic-resistant E. coli to wild gulls via treated wastewaters, we observed gull chicks as carriers of diverse multi-resistant E. coli , including high-risk clones, posing risk of further bacterial contamination of the surrounding environment., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

This study is focused on Escherichia spp. isolates resistant to critically important antibiotics (cefotaxime, ciprofloxacin and colistin) among Caspian gull's (Larus cachinnans) chicks nesting in the Nove Mlyny Water Reservoir, Czech Republic. The prevalence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in bacteria within wild birds is commonly evaluated using a single sampling event, capturing only a brief and momentary snapshot at a particular location. Therefore, the Caspian gulls in our study were sampled in May 2018 (n = 72) and May 2019 (n = 45), and a water sample was taken from the reservoir (2019). We obtained 197 isolates identified as E. coli by MALDI-TOF MS. A total of 158 representative isolates were whole-genome sequenced, 17 isolates were then reclassified to Escherichia albertii. We observed a higher (86 %; 62/72) occurrence of ESBL/AmpC-producing Escherichia spp. among gulls in 2018 compared to 38 % (17/45) in 2019 (p < 0.00001). The decrease in prevalence was linked to clonal lineage of E. coli ST11893 predominating in 2018 which carried bla CMY-2 and which was not recovered from the gulls in 2019. Oppositely, several Escherichia STs were found in gulls from both years as well as in the water sample including STs commonly recognized as internationally high-risk lineages such as ST10, ST58, ST88, ST117, ST648 or ST744. Phylogenetic analysis of E. coli from EnteroBase from countries where these particular gulls wander revealed that some STs are commonly found in various sources including humans and a portion of them is even closely related (up to 100 SNPs) to our isolates. We demonstrated that the occurrence of AMR in Escherichia can vary greatly in time in synanthropic birds and we detected both, a temporary prevalent lineage and several persistent STs. The close relatedness of isolates from gulls and isolates from EnteroBase highlights the need to further evaluate the risk connected to wandering birds., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Wild birds including raptors can act as vectors of clinically relevant bacteria with antibiotic resistance. The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of antibiotic-resistant Escherichia coli in black kites ( Milvus migrans ) inhabiting localities in proximity to human-influenced environments in southwestern Siberia and investigate their virulence and plasmid contents. A total of 51 E. coli isolates mostly with multidrug resistance (MDR) profiles were obtained from cloacal swabs of 35 (64%, n = 55) kites. Genomic analyses of 36 whole genome sequenced E. coli isolates showed: (i) high prevalence and diversity of their antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and common association with ESBL/AmpC production (27/36, 75%), (ii) carriage of mcr-1 for colistin resistance on IncI2 plasmids in kites residing in proximity of two large cities, (iii) frequent association with class one integrase (IntI1, 22/36, 61%), and (iv) presence of sequence types (STs) linked to avian-pathogenic (APEC) and extra-intestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC). Notably, numerous isolates had significant virulence content. One E. coli with APEC-associated ST354 carried qnrE1 encoding fluoroquinolone resistance on IncHI2-ST3 plasmid, the first detection of such a gene in E. coli from wildlife. Our results implicate black kites in southwestern Siberia as reservoirs for antibiotic-resistant E. coli . It also highlights the existing link between proximity of wildlife to human activities and their carriage of MDR bacteria including pathogenic STs with significant and clinically relevant antibiotic resistance determinants. IMPORTANCE Migratory birds have the potential to acquire and disperse clinically relevant antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and their associated antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) through vast geographical regions. The opportunistic feeding behavior associated with some raptors including black kites and the growing anthropogenic influence on their natural habitats increase the transmission risk of multidrug resistance (MDR) and pathogenic bacteria from human and agricultural sources into the environment and wildlife. Thus, monitoring studies investigating antibiotic resistance in raptors may provide essential data that facilitate understanding the fate and evolution of ARB and ARGs in the environment and possible health risks for humans and animals associated with the acquisition of these resistance determinants by wildlife., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

The Australian silver gull is an urban-adapted species that frequents anthropogenic waste sites. The enterobacterial flora of synanthropic birds often carries antibiotic resistance genes. Whole-genome sequence analyses of 425 Escherichia coli isolates from cloacal swabs of chicks inhabiting three coastal sites in New South Wales, Australia, cultured on media supplemented with meropenem, cefotaxime, or ciprofloxacin are reported. Phylogenetically, over 170 antibiotic-resistant lineages from 96 sequence types (STs) representing all major phylogroups were identified. Remarkably, 25 STs hosted the carbapenemase gene bla IMP-4 , sourced only from Five Islands. Class 1 integrons carrying bla IMP and bla OXA alongside bla CTX-M and qnrS were notable. Multiple plasmid types mobilized bla IMP-4 and bla OXA-1 , and 121 isolates (28%) carried either a ColV-like (18%) or a pUTI89-like (10%) F virulence plasmid. Phylogenetic comparisons to human isolates provided evidence of interspecies transmission. Our study underscores the importance of bystander species in the transmission of antibiotic-resistant and pathogenic E. coli. IMPORTANCE By compiling various genomic and phenotypic data sets, we have provided one of the most comprehensive genomic studies of Escherichia coli isolates from the Australian silver gull, on media containing clinically relevant antibiotics. The analysis of genetic structures capturing antimicrobial resistance genes across three gull breeding colonies in New South Wales, Australia, and comparisons to clinical data have revealed a range of trackable genetic signatures that highlight the broad distribution of clinical antimicrobial resistance in more than 170 different lineages of E. coli. Conserved truncation sizes of the class 1 integrase gene, a key component of multiple-drug resistance structures in the Enterobacteriaceae , represent unique deletion events that are helping to link seemingly disparate isolates and highlight epidemiologically relevant data between wildlife and clinical sources. Notably, only the most anthropogenically affected of the three sites (Five Islands) was observed to host carbapenem resistance, indicating a potential reservoir among the sites sampled.

Poultry represents a common source of bacteria with resistance to antibiotics including the critically important ones. Selective cultivation using colistin, cefotaxime and meropenem was performed for 66 chicken samples coming from 12 farms in Paraguay while two breeding companies supplied the farms. A total of 62 Escherichia coli and 22 Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates were obtained and representative isolates were subjected to whole-genome sequencing. Relatively high prevalence of phylogenetic group D and F was observed in E. coli isolates and several zoonotic sequence types (STs) including ST457 (14 isolates), ST38 (5), ST10 (2), ST117 (2) or ST93 (4) were detected. Isolates from three farms, which purchased chicken from a Paraguayan hatchery showed higher prevalence of mcr-5.1 and bla CTX-M-8 compared to the other nine farms, which purchased chickens from a Brazilian hatchery. Moreover, none of the K. pneumoniae isolates were linked to the Paraguayan hatchery. ESBL/AmpC and mcr-5 -carrying multi-drug resistant (MDR) plasmids were characterized, and complete sequences were obtained for eight plasmids. The study shed light on Paraguayan poultry farms as a reservoir of antibiotic resistance commonly conferred via MDR plasmids and showed linkage between resistance and origin of the chickens at the hatcheries level.

Silver gulls carry phylogenetically diverse Escherichia coli , including globally dominant extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC) sequence types and pandemic ExPEC-ST131 clades; however, our large-scale study (504 samples) on silver gulls nesting off the coast of New South Wales identified E. coli ST457 as the most prevalent. A phylogenetic analysis of whole-genome sequences (WGS) of 138 ST457 samples comprising 42 from gulls, 2 from humans (Australia), and 14 from poultry farmed in Paraguay were compared with 80 WGS deposited in public databases from diverse sources and countries. E. coli ST457 strains are phylogenetic group F, carry fimH 145, and partition into five main clades in accordance to predominant flagella H-antigen carriage. Although we identified considerable phylogenetic diversity among the 138 ST457 strains, closely related subclades (<100 SNPs) suggested zoonotic or zooanthroponosis transmission between humans, wild birds, and food-producing animals. Australian human clinical and gull strains in two of the clades were closely related (≤80 SNPs). Regarding plasmid content, country, or country/source, specific connections were observed, including I1/ST23, I1/ST314, and I1/ST315 disseminating bla CMY-2 in Australia, I1/ST113 carrying bla CTX-M-8 and mcr-5 in Paraguayan poultry, and F2:A-:B1 plasmids of Dutch origin being detected across multiple ST457 clades. We identified a high prevalence of nearly identical I1/ST23 plasmids carrying bla CMY-2 among Australian gull and clinical human strains. In summary, ST457 is a broad host range, geographically diverse E. coli lineage that can cause human extraintestinal disease, including urinary tract infection, and displays a remarkable ability to capture mobile elements that carry and transmit genes encoding resistance to critically important antibiotics., (Copyright © 2020 American Society for Microbiology.)

Wild corvids were examined for the presence of carbapenemase-producing Gram-negative bacteria in the United States. A total of 13 isolates were detected among 590 fecal samples of American crow; 11 Providencia rettgeri isolates harboring bla IMP-27 on the chromosome as a class 2 integron gene cassette within the Tn 7 transposon, 1 Klebsiella pneumoniae ST258 isolate carrying bla KPC-2 on a pKpQIL-like plasmid as a part of Tn 4401a , and 1 Enterobacter bugandensis isolate with bla IMI-1 located within EcloIMEX-2., (Copyright © 2020 American Society for Microbiology.)

Birds are hosts for several zoonotic pathogens. Because of their high mobility, especially of longdistance migrants, birds can disperse these pathogens, affecting their distribution and phylogeography. We focused on Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, which includes the causative agents of Lyme borreliosis, as an example for tick-borne pathogens, to address the role of birds as propagation hosts of zoonotic agents at a large geographical scale. We collected ticks from passerine birds in 11 European countries. B. burgdorferi s.l. prevalence in Ixodes spp. was 37% and increased with latitude. The fieldfare Turdus pilaris and the blackbird T. merula carried ticks with the highest Borrelia prevalence (92 and 58%, respectively), whereas robin Erithacus rubecula ticks were the least infected (3.8%). Borrelia garinii was the most prevalent genospecies (61%), followed by B. valaisiana (24%), B. afzelii (9%), B. turdi (5%) and B. lusitaniae (0.5%). A novel Borrelia genospecies "Candidatus Borrelia aligera" was also detected. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) analysis of B. garinii isolates together with the global collection of B. garinii genotypes obtained from the Borrelia MLST public database revealed that: (a) there was little overlap among genotypes from different continents, (b) there was no geographical structuring within Europe, and (c) there was no evident association pattern detectable among B. garinii genotypes from ticks feeding on birds, questing ticks or human isolates. These findings strengthen the hypothesis that the population structure and evolutionary biology of tick-borne pathogens are shaped by their host associations and the movement patterns of these hosts., (© 2019 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)