Characteristics ofEscherichia coliIsolated from Bovine Mastitis Exposed to Subminimum Inhibitory Concentrations of Cefalotin or Ceftazidime

Abstract

Escherichia coliis a major udder pathogen causing clinical mastitis in dairy cattle and its heat stable endotoxin in powdered infant formula milk is a potential risk factor in neonatal infections. Cephalosporins are frequently used for treatment of mastitis caused by mastitis; however, use of these antimicrobials may induce antimicrobial resistance inE. coli. The objective of this study was to explore thein vitroeffect of subminimum inhibitory concentrations (sub-MIC) of cefalotin (CF) and ceftazidime (CAZ) on the morphology, antimicrobial resistance, and endotoxin releasing characteristics of 3E. coliisolates recovered from bovine clinical mastitis. The parentE. coliisolates, which were susceptible to CF and CAZ, were exposed to CF or CAZ separately at sub-MIC levels to produce 9 generations of induced isolates. Colonies of the CAZ-induced isolates from all 3 parentE. coliwere smaller on blood agar and the bacteria became filamentous, whereas the CF-induced isolates did not demonstrate prominent morphological changes. After induction by CF or CAZ, many induced isolates showed resistance to cefoxitin, CAZ, CF, kanamycin, ampicillin, and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid while their parent isolates were susceptible to these antimicrobials. Notably, 5 CAZ-induced isolates from the same parent isolate were found to produce extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) though none of the tested ESBL related genes could be detected. All CAZ-induced isolates released more endotoxin with a higher release rate, whereas endotoxin release of CF-inducedE. coliisolates was not different from parent isolates. The exposure of cephalosporins at sub-MIC levels induced resistantEscherichia coli.We inferred that cephalosporins, especially CAZ, should be used prudently for treatment of clinicalE. colimastitis.