IncI1/ST3 and IncN/ST1 plasmids drive the spread of blaTEM-52 and blaCTX-M-1/-32 in diverse Escherichia coli clones from different piggeries

Objectives: The spread of ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae among food animals/products has raised concerns about their possible transmission through the food chain. We aimed to characterize piggeries (pigs, piggery environments) as reservoirs of TEM-52- and CTX-M-encoding plasmids and clones. Methods: Forty-three samples from five Portuguese intensive production farms were studied (2006-07). Twenty-two ESBL-producing (13 TEM-52, 6 CTX-M-32, 3 CTX-M-1) Escherichia coli isolates from healthy pigs, feed and liquid manure were further characterized. Standard methods were used for clonal (PFGE, MLST) and plasmid (S1-PFGE, replicon typing, pMLST, RFLP) analysis. PCR and sequencing were used for analysis of bla(CTX-M) genetic context and plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance genes. Results: TEM-52 (n = 13/22; 59%), CTX-M-32 (n = 6/22; 27%) and CTX-M-1 (n = 3/22; 14%) were identified in feed (36%), swine faeces (36%), swine hide (9%) and liquid manure (18%) at different farms. Diverse phylogenetic groups and clones were identified among TEM-52 (7 A, 3 B1, 2 B2, 1 D; 8 clones)-producing, CTX-M-1 (1 A, 1 B1, 1 D; 3 clones)-producing and CTX-M-32 (4 A, 2 B1; 4 clones)-producing isolates. However, the ST10 clonal complex was frequent among TEM-52 (n = 6) and CTX-M-32 (n = 3) producers. bla(TEM-52) and bla(CTX-M-1/-32) genes were identified within epidemic IncI1/ST3 and IncN/ST1 plasmid variants, respectively. Conclusions: We report for the first time a piggery reservoir for bla(TEM-52). The spread of bla(TEM-52) and bla(CTX-M-1/-32) within and/or between different piggeries was mostly associated with epidemic plasmids and clones previously identified in humans and other animal hosts in different EU countries, highlighting possible distribution along the food chain.