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Varandas S, Fernandes C, Cabecinha E, Gomes S, da Silva GJ, Saavedra MJ. Escherichia coli Phylogenetic and Antimicrobial Pattern as an Indicator of Anthropogenic Impact on Threatened Freshwater Mussels. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:1401. [PMID: 37760699 PMCID: PMC10525238 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12091401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Freshwater bivalves are widely used as accumulation indicators and monitoring tools for assessing contaminant effects on different levels of biological integration. This pilot study aimed to explore the phylogenetic diversity of Escherichia coli isolated from freshwater mussels (Margaritifera margaritifera and Potomida littoralis) and characterize their phenotypes and antibiotic resistance profiles. Samples were collected in the Rabaçal and Tua Rivers, in the Douro basin, Portugal-two sites representing different levels of anthropogenic contamination. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed via the disk diffusion method with 21 antibiotics. Results showed that 31% of isolates were multidrug-resistant (MDR). Thus, freshwater mussels provide an effective and time-integrated approach for identifying/quantifying fecal indicators, including MDR bacteria. PCR-based assays were designed for assessing phylogenetic E. coli groups. Among the E. coli isolates, the highest prevalence (44%) was observed in group D or E, followed by group E or Clade I (25%), group A (19%), and group B1 (13%). E. coli isolated from M. margaritifera predominantly exhibited a higher prevalence of phylogroups D or E, whereas E. coli from P. littoralis showed associations with phylogroups E or clade I, B1, A, and D or E. Our results provide new insights into the phylogenetic diversity of E. coli in freshwater bivalves. Additionally, the findings highlight the possible linkage of phylogroups with the host species, the geographical location in the water stream, and human activity. Using E. coli as a bioindicator isolated from freshwater mussels helps us grasp how human activities affect the environment. This study has important implications for those interested in safeguarding water resources, especially in tackling antibiotic resistance in aquatic ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Varandas
- CITAB-Inov4Agro—Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences—Institute for Innovation, Capacity Building and Sustainability of Agri-Food Production, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal; (S.V.); (E.C.)
- CIBIO/InBIO/BIOPOLIS—Research Center in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, University of Porto, Campus Agrário de Vairão, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal
| | - Conceição Fernandes
- CIMO—Centro de Investigação de Montanha/SusTEC—Laboratório Associado para a Sustentabilidade e Tecnologia em Regiões de Montanha, IPB-Institute Polytechnique of Bragança, Campus de Santa Apolónia, 5300-253 Bragança, Portugal;
- A2BUnit—Antimicrobials, Biocides & Biofilms Unit, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal;
| | - Edna Cabecinha
- CITAB-Inov4Agro—Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences—Institute for Innovation, Capacity Building and Sustainability of Agri-Food Production, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal; (S.V.); (E.C.)
| | - Sónia Gomes
- A2BUnit—Antimicrobials, Biocides & Biofilms Unit, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal;
- CIIMAR/CIIMAR-LA—Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, Novo Edifício do Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal
| | - Gabriela Jorge da Silva
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal;
| | - Maria José Saavedra
- CITAB-Inov4Agro—Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences—Institute for Innovation, Capacity Building and Sustainability of Agri-Food Production, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal; (S.V.); (E.C.)
- A2BUnit—Antimicrobials, Biocides & Biofilms Unit, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal;
- CIIMAR/CIIMAR-LA—Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, Novo Edifício do Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal
- CECAV—Animal and Veterinary Research Center and AL4AnimalS, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
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Ekakoro JE, Guptill LF, Hendrix GK, Dorsey L, Ruple A. Antimicrobial Susceptibility of Bacteria Isolated from Freshwater Mussels in the Wildcat Creek Watershed, Indiana, United States. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:antibiotics12040728. [PMID: 37107090 PMCID: PMC10135199 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12040728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global health crisis that threatens the health of humans and animals. The spread of resistance among species may occur through our shared environment. Prevention of AMR requires integrated monitoring systems, and these systems must account for the presence of AMR in the environment in order to be effective. The purpose of this study was to establish and pilot a set of procedures for utilizing freshwater mussels as a means of surveillance for microbes with AMR in Indiana waterways. One hundred and eighty freshwater mussels were sampled from three sites along the Wildcat Creek watershed in north-central Indiana. Specimens were evaluated for the presence of ESKAPE pathogens (Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacter species), Escherichia coli, Campylobacter, and Salmonella species, and the isolates were tested for antimicrobial resistance. A total of 24 bacterial isolates were obtained from tissue homogenates of freshwater mussels collected at a site directly downstream from Kokomo, Indiana. Of these, 17 were Enterobacter spp., five were Escherichia coli, one was Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and one was Klebsiella pneumoniae. All isolates were resistant to three or more antimicrobial drug classes. Further work is necessary to determine the source of the bacterial species found in the mussels.
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Affiliation(s)
- John E Ekakoro
- Department of Public and Ecosystem Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Lynn F Guptill
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - G Kenitra Hendrix
- Department of Comparative Pathobiology/Indiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Lauren Dorsey
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Audrey Ruple
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
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