Escherichia coli Study Uncovers Alarming Levels of Antimicrobial Resistance in Rabbit Farms

Strategic Insights -

Rabbit meat production in Sichuan province, China, has emerged as a significant contributor to the global antimicrobial resistance (AMR) crisis. A recent study conducted by researchers at Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences reveals that nearly 60% of Escherichia coli isolates from rabbit farms exhibited high levels of resistance to multiple antibiotics. The alarming findings highlight the urgent need for AMR surveillance and control measures in the livestock industry.

Key Takeaways:

  • 73 Enterobacteriaceae strains were isolated from rabbit farms, including Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella enterica, Enterobacter hormaechei, and Escherichia coli.
  • Over 60% of the isolates showed resistance to tetracycline, ciprofloxacin, nalidixic acid, sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim, and ampicillin.
  • Escherichia coli isolates primarily carried the mcr-1.1 gene, with 48% (35/73) of the isolates containing the mcr-1.1 gene.
  • The mcr-1.1 gene was found to co-locate with the IncI2 plasmid replicon in 82.9% (29/35) of the mcr-1.1-positive isolates.
  • Phylogenetic analysis indicated that rabbit-derived mcr-1-positive Escherichia coli strains clustered with human-derived strains, suggesting potential transmission.
  • The study emphasizes that smaller-scale breeding operations, such as rabbit farming, can serve as unrecognized reservoirs of AMR determinants.

Statistics:

  • 73 Enterobacteriaceae strains were isolated from rabbit farms.
  • 48% (35/73) of the isolates carried the mcr-1.1 gene.
  • 82.9% (29/35) mcr-1.1-positive isolates contained the IncI2 plasmid replicon.
  • Over 60% of the isolates showed resistance to multiple antibiotics.

Sources:

  • Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, (Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology - http://www.frontiersin.org/Cellular_and_Infection_Microbiology).
  • China Postdoctoral Science Foundation.
  • Agriculture Research System of China.
  • Natural Science Foundation of Zhejiang Province.
  • Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences.
  • Journal article: "Antimicrobial resistance of Enterobacteriaceae in rabbit farms: an underestimated reservoir harboring mcr-1.1" by Zizhe Hu, Dongdong Chen, Tuanyuan Shi, Yee Huang, Xuemei Cui, Xiaoyu Li, Quanan Ji, Guolian Bao, Yan Liu.