Phenotypic and molecular characterization of β-lactamase and plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance genes in Klebsiella oxytoca isolated from slaughtered pigs in Thailand

Research (Published online: 13-02-2022)

10. Phenotypic and molecular characterization of β-lactamase and plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance genes in Klebsiella oxytoca isolated from slaughtered pigs in Thailand

Nattamol Phetburom, Parichart Boueroy, Peechanika Chopjitt, Rujirat Hatrongjit, Suphachai Nuanualsuwan and Anusak Kerdsin

Veterinary World, 15(2): 309-315

Nattamol Phetburom: Department of Community Health, Faculty of Public Health, Kasetsart University, Chalermphrakiat Sakon Nakhon Province Campus, Sakon Nakhon, Thailand.

Parichart Boueroy: Department of Community Health, Faculty of Public Health, Kasetsart University, Chalermphrakiat Sakon Nakhon Province Campus, Sakon Nakhon, Thailand.

Peechanika Chopjitt: Department of Community Health, Faculty of Public Health, Kasetsart University, Chalermphrakiat Sakon Nakhon Province Campus, Sakon Nakhon, Thailand.

Rujirat Hatrongjit: Department of General Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Kasetsart University, Chalermphrakiat Sakon Nakhon Province Campus, Sakon Nakhon, Thailand.

Suphachai Nuanualsuwan: Department of Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.

Anusak Kerdsin: Department of Community Health, Faculty of Public Health, Kasetsart University, Chalermphrakiat Sakon Nakhon Province Campus, Sakon Nakhon, Thailand.

doi: www.doi.org/10.14202/vetworld.2022.309-315

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Article history: Received: 04-10-2021, Accepted: 12-01-2022, Published online: 13-02-2022

Corresponding author: Parichart Boueroy

E-mail: parichart.bou@ku.th

Citation: Phetburom N, Boueroy P, Chopjitt P, Hatrongjit R, Nuanualsuwan S, Kerdsin A (2022) Phenotypic and molecular characterization of β-lactamase and plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance genes in Klebsiella oxytoca isolated from slaughtered pigs in Thailand, Veterinary World, 15(2): 309-315.

Abstract

Background and Aim: Over recent years, antimicrobial-resistant Klebsiella species in humans, animals, food animals, food products, and agricultural environments have been the center of attention due to its role in the evolution of antimicrobial resistance. The emergence of resistance to fluoroquinolones and cephalosporins of third and higher generations in Klebsiella oxytoca has not received much attention in animal husbandry compared to that in Klebsiella pneumoniae. Reports on K. oxytoca are limited in the study area. Therefore, we investigated the antimicrobial susceptibility and resistance genes in K. oxytoca isolated from slaughtered pigs in Thailand.

Materials and Methods: Microbiological examination was conducted on 384 Klebsiella spp. isolates recovered from slaughtered pigs in ten provinces of Thailand. Seventy-two K. oxytoca isolates (18.75%) were examined for antimicrobial-resistant genes (β-lactamase [bla_TEM, bla_CTX-M, and bla_SHV]) and fluoroquinolone-resistant genes (qnrA, qnrB, qnrC, qnrD, qnrS, oqxAB, aac(6')-Ib-cr, and qepA).

Results: The most common genotype was bla_CTX-M (58/72, 80.55%), followed by bla_TEM with bla_CTX-M (7/72, 9.72%) and bla_TEM (6/72, 8.33%). The most common bla_CTX-M group was bla_CTX-M-1 (19/58, 32.76%), followed by bla_CTX-M-9 (1/58, 1.72%). Plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance genes were identified in 13 (18.05%) isolates: qnrS (16.70%) and qnrB (1.4%). All 13 isolates had qnrS transferable to an Escherichia coli recipient, whereas qnrB was not detected in any transconjugants. Either bla_CTX-M or bla_TEM harbored by one K. oxytoca strain was transferable to an E. coli recipient. Analysis of antimicrobial susceptibility revealed that more than 90% of the bla_CTX-M-carrying K. oxytoca isolates were susceptible to chloramphenicol, trimethoprim, ceftazidime, cefepime, cefotaxime, amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, piperacillin–tazobactam, and fosfomycin. All K. oxytoca isolates (13) harboring qnr were susceptible to carbapenem and ceftriaxone; however, 43 (74.13%) of the K. oxytoca isolates harboring bla_CTX-M exhibited extended-spectrum β-lactamase activity. Most of the K. oxytoca isolates from pigs were highly resistant to ampicillin, azithromycin, and gentamicin.

Conclusion: To prevent further transmission of Klebsiella spp. between food animals and humans, strict control of antibiotic use in clinical and livestock settings is necessary along with routine disinfection of the livestock environment and efforts to increase awareness of antimicrobial resistance transmission.

Keywords: Klebsiella oxytoca, plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance, slaughtered pigs, Thailand, β-lactamase.