Antimicrobial resistance in Campylobacter fetus: emergence and genomic evolution

Mortality and genetic diversity of antibiotic-resistant bacteria associated with bloodstream infections: a systemic review and genomic analysis

BACKGROUND

Bloodstream infections (BSIs) caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) represent a significant disease burden worldwide. However, a comprehensive analysis of the mortality rates and global epidemiology across different ARB species associated with BSIs is currently lacking.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic review by searching multiple databases (PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase) for studies reporting ARB-related BSIs data up to June 19, 2023. Additionally, we performed genomic analyses of all the publicly available bacterial genomes associated with BSIs to elucidate their molecular characteristics.

RESULTS

A total of 322 articles (N = 90,672 patients) were included in this study. For 28 or 30-day mortality, the overall mortality rate for all ARB species was 32.0%. Among them, antibiotic-resistant A. baumannii exhibited the highest rate (54.2%). And the top three ARB types with the highest mortality rates at 28 or 30-day were CefeR-PA (cefepime-resistant P. aeruginosa), CREC (carbapenem-resistant E. coli), and CRAB (carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii), all exceeding 50%, whereas the mortality rates of CRKP (carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae), CRPA (carbapenem-resistant P. aeruginosa), and VREfm (vancomycin-resistant E. faecium) were at least 40%. A total of 9,289 ARB genomes related to BSIs were acquired from the NPDIB database and are predominantly distributed in North America, Asia, and Europe. Antibiotic resistance gene (ARG) analysis identified a total of 613 ARG subtypes from the top six ARB species, with numbers ranging from 48 for E. faecium to 253 for K. pneumoniae. Furthermore, specific clones of ARB species were strongly associated with BSIs, such as ST131 in E. coli, ST8, and ST5 in S. aureus, ST2 in A. baumannii, and ST11 and ST258 in K. pneumoniae.

CONCLUSION

ARB contributed to the burden of BSIs, with a 30-day all-cause mortality rate as high as 32.0%. ARB strains causing BSIs display high genetic diversity, highlighting the importance of continuing to monitor high-risk clones to control the development of antibiotic resistance. Differences in ARGs patterns require tailored antibiotic management strategies for each ARB species.

Campylobacter fetus Plasmid Diversity: Comparative Analysis of Fully Sequenced Plasmids and Proposed Classification Scheme

Campylobacter fetus is an animal pathogen that contains 2 mammal-associated subspecies: Campylobacter fetus subsp. fetus (Cff) and Campylobacter fetus subsp. venerealis (Cfv) including its biovar intermedius that exhibit different biochemical traits and differences in pathogenicity. Although plasmids are important in the horizontal transfer of antimicrobial resistance genes and virulence factors, C. fetus plasmids are understudied. Here, the closed sequences of 12 plasmids from Spanish C. fetus isolates were compared with the publicly available DNA sequences of C. fetus plasmids and other members of the Campylobacterales order. Sizes of C. fetus plasmids from Spanish isolates ranged between 4 and 50 kb and most of them (10/12) were potentially conjugative. Comparative analysis of the plasmids' gene content revealed a close genetic relationship between the plasmids of C. fetus isolated in Spain and those from other geographical regions, while being clearly distinct from plasmids of other Campylobacter species. Furthermore, C. fetus plasmids were grouped into two main clusters regardless of their geographic location or lineage. The distribution pattern of relaxase, replicase, and single-stranded DNA binding SSB protein encoding genes showed a clustering comparable to that resulting from plasmid whole gene content analysis, suggesting its potential use for the classification of C. fetus plasmids. Most of the larger plasmids harbored mobile genetic elements. These results can help to better understand the evolutionary dynamics and pathogenic implications of C. fetus plasmids.

Antimicrobial susceptibilities of Campylobacter fetus: report from a reference laboratory

Campylobacter fetus is known to cause human disease, particularly in elderly and immunocompromised hosts. There are limited published data for antimicrobial susceptibility patterns with this organism, and no interpretive criteria are available. We reviewed antimicrobial susceptibilities of C. fetus isolates tested at a tertiary care center and reference laboratory over an 11-year period. C. fetus isolates from patients treated at Mayo Clinic and those sent as referrals for identification and susceptibility were included. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using agar dilution for ciprofloxacin, doxycycline, erythromycin, gentamicin, meropenem, and tetracycline. Geographic distribution, culture source, organism minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) distributions, and MIC50 and MIC90 were examined. Excluding duplicates, 105 unique isolates were identified from 110 positive cultures. Blood cultures represented the most common source, followed by body fluids, skin and soft tissue, and central nervous system. Gentamicin and meropenem had favorable MIC50 and MIC90 of 1 µg/mL. Ciprofloxacin demonstrated an MIC50 of 1 µg/mL; however, the MIC90 was >2 µg/mL. Erythromycin demonstrated MIC50 and MIC90 of 2 µg/mL. Tetracycline and doxycycline were tested on a limited number of isolates and showed a wide range of MICs. Gentamicin and meropenem demonstrated favorable MICs in C. fetus isolates. These may represent therapeutic options for consideration in serious C. fetus infections, pending susceptibility results. Ciprofloxacin, which showed variable results, may be more appropriate for use only after susceptibility testing. C. fetus interpretive criteria are needed to aid clinicians in selection of both empiric and definitive therapies.

IMPORTANCE

Our findings contribute to the scant literature on Campylobacter fetus antimicrobial susceptibility test results. We used a reference test method of agar dilution and provide MICs for a large number of organisms and antimicrobial agents.