Molecular basis of the persistence of chloramphenicol resistance among Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. from pigs, pork and humans in Thailand

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the potential mechanisms associated with the persistence of chloramphenicol (CHP) resistance in Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica isolated from pigs, pork, and humans in Thailand. The CHP-resistant E. coli (n = 106) and Salmonella (n = 57) isolates were tested for their CHP susceptibility in the presence and absence of phenylalanine arginine β-naphthylamide (PAβN). The potential co-selection of CHP resistance was investigated through conjugation experiments. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) was performed to analyze the E. coli (E329, E333, and E290) and Salmonella (SA448, SA461, and SA515) isolates with high CHP MIC (32–256 μg/mL) and predominant plasmid replicon types. The presence of PAβN significantly reduced the CHP MICs (≥4-fold) in most E. coli (67.9%) and Salmonella (64.9%). Ampicillin, tetracycline, and streptomycin co-selected for CHP-resistant Salmonella and E. coli-transconjugants carrying cmlA. IncF plasmids were mostly detected in cmlA carrying Salmonella (IncFIIAs) and E. coli (IncFIB and IncF) transconjugants. The WGS analysis revealed that class1 integrons with cmlA1 gene cassette flanked by IS26 and TnAs1 were located on IncX1 plasmid, IncFIA(HI1)/HI1B plasmids and IncFII/FIB plasmids. IncFIA(HI1)/HI1B/Q1in SA448 contained catA flanked by IS1B and TnAs3. In conclusion, cross resistance through proton motive force-dependent mechanisms and co-selection by other antimicrobial agents involved the persistence of CHP-resistance in E. coli in this collection. Dissemination of CHP-resistance genes was potentially facilitated by mobilization via mobile genetic elements.