Investigation of multidrug-resistant enteric bacteria in pigs produced for human consumption – Is there a risk for Public Health?

Carolina Baldino; Matilde Cordas; Rute Rosa; Isabel Santos; Mariana Camoesas Silva; Adriana Belas; Margarida  Alves; Ana Lima; Laurentina Pedroso; Leonor Silveira; Ângela Pista; João Paulo Gomes; Sónia Ramos; Alexandra Nunes

doi:10.60543/rlcmv.v18i.9969

Carolina Baldino Faculty of Science and Technology, NOVA University of Lisbon, Portugal.
Matilde Cordas Genomics and Bioinformatics Unit, Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge, Lisbon, Portugal.
Rute Rosa Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária- Universidade Lusófona, Centro Universitário de Lisboa
Isabel Santos Centro de Investigação Veterinária e Animal (CECAV), Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Lusófona, Centro Universitário de Lisboa, Portugal.
Mariana Camoesas Silva Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária- Universidade Lusófona, Centro Universitário de Lisboa
Adriana Belas Centro de Investigação Veterinária e Animal (CECAV), Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Lusófona, Centro Universitário de Lisboa, Portugal.
Margarida Alves Centro de Investigação Veterinária e Animal (CECAV), Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Lusófona, Centro Universitário de Lisboa, Portugal.
Ana Lima Centro de Investigação Veterinária e Animal (CECAV), Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Lusófona, Centro Universitário de Lisboa, Portugal.
Laurentina Pedroso Centro de Investigação Veterinária e Animal (CECAV), Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Lusófona, Centro Universitário de Lisboa, Portugal.
Leonor Silveira National Reference Laboratory for Gastrointestinal infections, Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge, Lisbon, Portugal.
Ângela Pista National Reference Laboratory for Gastrointestinal infections, Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge, Lisbon, Portugal.
João Paulo Gomes Centro de Investigação Veterinária e Animal (CECAV), Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Lusófona, Centro Universitário de Lisboa, Portugal.
Sónia Ramos Centro de Investigação Veterinária e Animal (CECAV), Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Lusófona, Centro Universitário de Lisboa, Portugal.
Alexandra Nunes Centro de Investigação Veterinária e Animal (CECAV), Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Lusófona, Centro Universitário de Lisboa, Portugal.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.60543/rlcmv.v18i.9969

Resumo

Objectives: Many foodborne illnesses that affect humans are caused by infectious agents that can be transmitted from animals to humans. These agents can be found in the feces of farm animals and contaminated meat, posing a significant public health concern. This study aims to identify and to characterize Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., Shigella spp., and Yersinia enterocolitica strains from feces (n=84) and meat (n=25) of pigs processed for human consumption, both phenotypically and genotypically.

Material and methods: Fecal samples were collected from various slaughterhouses, while meat samples were purchased randomly from retail stores of both Lisbon area and the central region of Portugal. After bacteria isolation using non- and selective media, 92 isolates of E. coli and 4 isolates of Y. enterocolitica were obtained. These isolates were studied for antimicrobial susceptibility using the disk diffusion method and interpreted according to EUCAST guidelines. Isolates were further genomically characterized through whole-genome sequencing.

Results: In this study, E. coli was found in 28% of meat samples and all fecal samples. Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) and enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) were present in 1.2% of fecal samples. Moreover, Y. enterocolitica was identified in 4% of meat samples and 3.6% of fecal samples. Bacterial resistance was observed in 77.7% of E. coli isolates (40% were multi-resistant) and all Y. enterocolitica isolates from fecal samples. Most isolates were resistant to tetracycline, ampicillin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and chloramphenicol. Additionally, the sequenced E. coli isolates exhibited extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli virulence genes, with csgA and fimH being the most common.

Conclusion: The identification of pathogenic E. coli and Y. enterocolitica, including multi-resistant strains, in pig feces and meat underscores their potential as sources of transmission to humans. Adopting a One Health approach is crucial for detecting and managing foodborne illnesses.

Keywords: Enteric bacteria, Pigs, Antimicrobial resistance, Whole-genome sequencing, Public Health.

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