Isolation and Characterization of Colistin-Resistant <i>Enterobacteriaceae</i> from Foods in Two Italian Regions in the South of Italy
The emergence of colistin-resistant <i>Enterobacteriaceae</i> in food products is a growing concern due to the potential transfer of resistance to human pathogens. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of colistin-resistant <i>Enterobacteriaceae</i> in raw and ready-to-ea...
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MDPI AG
2025-01-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13/1/163 |
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| author | Rosa Fraccalvieri Angelica Bianco Laura Maria Difato Loredana Capozzi Laura Del Sambro Stefano Castellana Adelia Donatiello Luigina Serrecchia Lorenzo Pace Donatella Farina Domenico Galante Marta Caruso Maria Tempesta Antonio Parisi |
| author_facet | Rosa Fraccalvieri Angelica Bianco Laura Maria Difato Loredana Capozzi Laura Del Sambro Stefano Castellana Adelia Donatiello Luigina Serrecchia Lorenzo Pace Donatella Farina Domenico Galante Marta Caruso Maria Tempesta Antonio Parisi |
| author_sort | Rosa Fraccalvieri |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The emergence of colistin-resistant <i>Enterobacteriaceae</i> in food products is a growing concern due to the potential transfer of resistance to human pathogens. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of colistin-resistant <i>Enterobacteriaceae</i> in raw and ready-to-eat food samples collected from two regions of Italy (Apulia and Basilicata) and to evaluate their resistance phenotypes and genetic characteristics. A total of 1000 food samples were screened, with a prevalence of 4.4% of colistin-resistant <i>Enterobacteriaceae</i>. The majority of the isolates belonged to <i>Enterobacter</i> spp. (60%), followed by <i>Moellerella wisconsensis</i>, <i>Atlantibacter hermannii</i>, <i>Klebsiella pneumoniae</i>, and <i>Escherichia coli</i>, among others. Genomic sequencing and antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed high levels of resistance to β-lactams, with most isolates exhibiting multidrug resistance (MDR). Notably, seven isolates harbored <i>mcr</i> genes (<i>mcr</i>-1, <i>mcr</i>-9, and <i>mcr</i>-10). Additionally, in four of them were predicted the IncHI2 plasmids, known to facilitate the spread of colistin resistance. Furthermore, 56 antimicrobial resistance genes were identified, suggesting the genetic mechanisms underlying resistance to several antibiotic classes. Virulence gene analysis showed that <i>E. coli</i> and other isolates carried genes linked to pathogenicity, increasing the potential risk to public health. This study emphasizes the role of food as a potential reservoir for colistin-resistant bacteria and the importance of monitoring the spread of AMR genes in foodborne pathogens. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-454ba5ae51fc46eea62fe8057401d072 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2076-2607 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Microorganisms |
| spelling | doaj-art-454ba5ae51fc46eea62fe8057401d0722025-01-24T13:42:53ZengMDPI AGMicroorganisms2076-26072025-01-0113116310.3390/microorganisms13010163Isolation and Characterization of Colistin-Resistant <i>Enterobacteriaceae</i> from Foods in Two Italian Regions in the South of ItalyRosa Fraccalvieri0Angelica Bianco1Laura Maria Difato2Loredana Capozzi3Laura Del Sambro4Stefano Castellana5Adelia Donatiello6Luigina Serrecchia7Lorenzo Pace8Donatella Farina9Domenico Galante10Marta Caruso11Maria Tempesta12Antonio Parisi13Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Apulia and Basilicata, 71121 Foggia, ItalyExperimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Apulia and Basilicata, 71121 Foggia, ItalyExperimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Apulia and Basilicata, 71121 Foggia, ItalyExperimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Apulia and Basilicata, 71121 Foggia, ItalyExperimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Apulia and Basilicata, 71121 Foggia, ItalyExperimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Apulia and Basilicata, 71121 Foggia, ItalyExperimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Apulia and Basilicata, 71121 Foggia, ItalyExperimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Apulia and Basilicata, 71121 Foggia, ItalyExperimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Apulia and Basilicata, 71121 Foggia, ItalyExperimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Apulia and Basilicata, 71121 Foggia, ItalyExperimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Apulia and Basilicata, 71121 Foggia, ItalyExperimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Apulia and Basilicata, 71121 Foggia, ItalyDepartment of Veterinary Medicine, University Aldo Moro of Bari, Strada per Casamassima Km 3, 70010 Bari, ItalyExperimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Apulia and Basilicata, 71121 Foggia, ItalyThe emergence of colistin-resistant <i>Enterobacteriaceae</i> in food products is a growing concern due to the potential transfer of resistance to human pathogens. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of colistin-resistant <i>Enterobacteriaceae</i> in raw and ready-to-eat food samples collected from two regions of Italy (Apulia and Basilicata) and to evaluate their resistance phenotypes and genetic characteristics. A total of 1000 food samples were screened, with a prevalence of 4.4% of colistin-resistant <i>Enterobacteriaceae</i>. The majority of the isolates belonged to <i>Enterobacter</i> spp. (60%), followed by <i>Moellerella wisconsensis</i>, <i>Atlantibacter hermannii</i>, <i>Klebsiella pneumoniae</i>, and <i>Escherichia coli</i>, among others. Genomic sequencing and antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed high levels of resistance to β-lactams, with most isolates exhibiting multidrug resistance (MDR). Notably, seven isolates harbored <i>mcr</i> genes (<i>mcr</i>-1, <i>mcr</i>-9, and <i>mcr</i>-10). Additionally, in four of them were predicted the IncHI2 plasmids, known to facilitate the spread of colistin resistance. Furthermore, 56 antimicrobial resistance genes were identified, suggesting the genetic mechanisms underlying resistance to several antibiotic classes. Virulence gene analysis showed that <i>E. coli</i> and other isolates carried genes linked to pathogenicity, increasing the potential risk to public health. This study emphasizes the role of food as a potential reservoir for colistin-resistant bacteria and the importance of monitoring the spread of AMR genes in foodborne pathogens.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13/1/163antimicrobial resistance (AMR)colistin<i>Enterobacteriaceae</i>mcr genemultidrug resistance (MDR) |
| spellingShingle | Rosa Fraccalvieri Angelica Bianco Laura Maria Difato Loredana Capozzi Laura Del Sambro Stefano Castellana Adelia Donatiello Luigina Serrecchia Lorenzo Pace Donatella Farina Domenico Galante Marta Caruso Maria Tempesta Antonio Parisi Isolation and Characterization of Colistin-Resistant <i>Enterobacteriaceae</i> from Foods in Two Italian Regions in the South of Italy Microorganisms antimicrobial resistance (AMR) colistin <i>Enterobacteriaceae</i> mcr gene multidrug resistance (MDR) |
| title | Isolation and Characterization of Colistin-Resistant <i>Enterobacteriaceae</i> from Foods in Two Italian Regions in the South of Italy |
| title_full | Isolation and Characterization of Colistin-Resistant <i>Enterobacteriaceae</i> from Foods in Two Italian Regions in the South of Italy |
| title_fullStr | Isolation and Characterization of Colistin-Resistant <i>Enterobacteriaceae</i> from Foods in Two Italian Regions in the South of Italy |
| title_full_unstemmed | Isolation and Characterization of Colistin-Resistant <i>Enterobacteriaceae</i> from Foods in Two Italian Regions in the South of Italy |
| title_short | Isolation and Characterization of Colistin-Resistant <i>Enterobacteriaceae</i> from Foods in Two Italian Regions in the South of Italy |
| title_sort | isolation and characterization of colistin resistant i enterobacteriaceae i from foods in two italian regions in the south of italy |
| topic | antimicrobial resistance (AMR) colistin <i>Enterobacteriaceae</i> mcr gene multidrug resistance (MDR) |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13/1/163 |
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