Epidemic HI2 Plasmids Mobilising the Carbapenemase Resistance Gene <i>bla</i>_IMP-4 in Australian Clinical Samples Identified in Multiple Sublineages of <i>Escherichia coli</i> ST216 Colonising Silver Gulls

• Main Authors: Hassan Tarabai, Ethan R. Wyrsch, Ibrahim Bitar, Monika Dolejska, Steven P. Djordjevic
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-03-01
• Series: Microorganisms
• Subjects: anthropogenic pollution; ST216; Australian silver gull; urban birds; wildlife; whole genome sequencing
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/9/3/567

<i>Escherichia coli</i> ST216, including those that carry <i>bla</i>_KPC-2, <i>bla</i>_FOX-5, <i>bla</i>_CTX-M-15 and <i>mcr-1</i>, have been linked to wild and urban-adapted birds and the colonisation of hospital environments causing recalcitrant, carbapenem-resistant human infections. Here we sequenced 22 multiple-drug resistant ST216 isolates from Australian silver gull chicks sampled from Five Islands, of which 21 carried nine or more antibiotic resistance genes including <i>bla</i>_IMP-4 (<i>n</i> = 21), <i>bla</i>_TEM-1b (<i>n</i> = 21), <i>aac</i>(3)-<i>IId</i> (<i>n</i> = 20), <i>mph</i>(A) (<i>n</i> = 20), <i>cat</i><i>B3</i> (<i>n</i> = 20), <i>sul1</i> (<i>n</i> = 20), <i>aph</i>(3”)-<i>Ib</i> (<i>n</i> = 18) and <i>aph</i>(6)-<i>Id</i> (<i>n</i> = 18) on FIB(K) (<i>n</i> = 20), HI2-ST1 (<i>n</i> = 11) and HI2-ST3 (<i>n</i> = 10) plasmids. We show that (i) all HI2 plasmids harbour <i>bla</i>_IMP-4 in resistance regions containing In809 flanked by IS<i>26</i> (HI2-ST1) or IS<i>15DI</i> (HI2-ST3) and diverse metal resistance genes; (ii) HI2-ST1 plasmids are highly related to plasmids reported in diverse Enterobacteriaceae sourced from humans, companion animals and wildlife; (iii) HI2 were a feature of the Australian gull isolates and were not observed in international ST216 isolates. Phylogenetic analyses identified close relationships between ST216 from Australian gull and clinical isolates from overseas. <i>E. coli</i> ST216 from Australian gulls harbour HI2 plasmids encoding resistance to clinically important antibiotics and metals. Our studies underscore the importance of adopting a one health approach to AMR and pathogen surveillance.