ORCID Profile
0000-0003-4709-4190
Current Organisation
University of Liverpool
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Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 11-09-2018
DOI: 10.1093/JAC/DKY352
Abstract: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a critical health problem, with systemic antimicrobial therapy driving development of AMR across the host spectrum. This study compares longitudinal carriage, at multiple timepoints, of AMR faecal Escherichia coli in dogs undergoing routine antimicrobial treatment. Faecal s les (n = 457) from dogs (n = 127) were examined pretreatment, immediately after treatment and 1 month and 3 months post-treatment with one of five antimicrobials. Isolates were tested for susceptibility to a range of antimicrobials using disc diffusion for each treatment group at different timepoints the presence/absence of corresponding resistance genes was investigated using PCR assays. The impact of treatment group/timepoint and other risk factors on the presence of resistance [MDR, fluoroquinolone resistance, third-generation cephalosporin resistance (3GCR) and ESBL and AmpC production] was investigated using multilevel modelling. S les with at least one AMR E. coli from selective/non-selective agar were classed as positive. Resistance was also assessed at the isolate level, determining the abundance of AMR from non-selective culture. Treatment with β-lactams or fluoroquinolones was significantly associated with the detection of 3GCR, AmpC-producing, MDR and/or fluoroquinolone-resistant E. coli, but not ESBL-producing E. coli, immediately after treatment. However, 1 month post-treatment, only amoxicillin/clavulanate was significantly associated with the detection of 3GCR there was no significant difference at 3 months post-treatment for any antimicrobial compared with pretreatment s les. Our findings demonstrated that β-lactam and fluoroquinolone antibiotic usage is associated with increased detection of important phenotypic and genotypic AMR faecal E. coli following routine therapy in vet-visiting dogs. This has important implications for veterinary and public health in terms of antimicrobial prescribing and biosecurity protocols, and dog waste disposal.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2013
DOI: 10.1016/J.TVJL.2012.08.001
Abstract: The aim of this study was to determine whether hospitalisation of horses leads to increased antimicrobial resistance in equine faecal Escherichia coli isolates. E. coli were cultured from faecal s les of horses on admission and after 7 days of hospitalisation antimicrobial susceptibility was determined for eight antimicrobial agents. Resistance profiles of E. coli isolates were grouped into clusters, which were analysed to determine resistance patterns. Resistance to 7/8 antimicrobial agents and multi-drug resistance (MDR resistance to ≥3 antimicrobial classes) were significantly higher after 7 days of hospitalisation. Forty-eight resistance profiles were identified 15/48 were present on day 0 only, 16/48 on day 7 only and 17/48 at both times of s ling. There was a significant association between day 7 profiles and resistance detected to an increased number of antimicrobial agents. Hospitalisation of horses for 7 days resulted in alterations in equine faecal E. coli antimicrobial resistance profiles.
Publisher: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Date: 07-2016
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 28-04-2017
DOI: 10.1038/S41598-017-01133-4
Abstract: C ylobacter is the most common cause of foodborne bacterial illness worldwide. Faecal contamination of meat, especially chicken, during processing represents a key route of transmission to humans. There is a lack of insight into the mechanisms driving C . jejuni growth and survival within hosts and the environment. Here, we report a detailed analysis of C . jejuni fitness across models reflecting stages in its life cycle. Transposon (Tn) gene-inactivation libraries were generated in three C . jejuni strains and the impact on fitness during chicken colonisation, survival in houseflies and under nutrient-rich and –poor conditions at 4 °C and infection of human gut epithelial cells was assessed by Tn-insertion site sequencing (Tn-seq). A total of 331 homologous gene clusters were essential for fitness during in vitro growth in three C . jejuni strains, revealing that a large part of its genome is dedicated to growth. We report novel C . jejuni factors essential throughout its life cycle. Importantly, we identified genes that fulfil important roles across multiple conditions. Our comprehensive screens showed which flagella elements are essential for growth and which are vital to the interaction with host organisms. Future efforts should focus on how to exploit this knowledge to effectively control infections caused by C . jejuni .
Publisher: Mary Ann Liebert Inc
Date: 12-2018
Publisher: Mary Ann Liebert Inc
Date: 10-2016
Publisher: American Society for Microbiology
Date: 09-2011
DOI: 10.1128/JCM.01045-11
Abstract: This is the first report of Escherichia coli isolates producing CTX-M-15, the predominant type of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) associated with clinical disease in humans in the United Kingdom, in a United Kingdom pet dog. This report also describes the first isolation of CTX-M/Tem ESBL-positive E. coli from bile in dogs with hepatobiliary disease.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 21-02-2022
DOI: 10.1111/JSAP.13488
Abstract: To compare detection of Salmonella species and antimicrobial‐resistant Escherichia coli in the faeces of dogs eating raw meat or non‐raw diets and examine risk factors for their carriage. Canine faecal s les (raw fed n=114 non‐raw fed n=76) were collected from May to July 2015 from across the UK. Enrichment and selective culture and biochemical and PCR assays were used to identify isolates. Escherichia coli underwent susceptibility testing to a range of antimicrobials, including third‐generation cephalosporins PCR assays were used to detect antimicrobial‐resistant genes. Questionnaires were used to collect data on independent variables as risks for antimicrobial‐resistant (resistant to ≥1 tested antimicrobial), multi‐drug‐resistant (resistant to ≥3 antimicrobial classes) and third‐generation cephalosporin resistant Escherichia coli . Antimicrobial‐resistant, multi‐drug‐resistant and third‐generation cephalosporin resistant Escherichia coli were significantly more likely to be detected in raw fed (54, 25 and 31%, respectively) compared to non‐raw fed (17, 4 and 4%, respectively) dogs Salmonella species were detected in eight (4%) raw fed dogs only. Raw fed dogs may be a source of Salmonella species and Escherichia coli , resistant to highest priority critically important antimicrobials, representing a potential animal welfare and public health issue. Owners should be aware of the risks, especially households with members, both human and canine, who are very young, elderly or immunocompromised.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2015
DOI: 10.1016/J.PREVETMED.2015.01.013
Abstract: Antimicrobial resistant bacteria are increasingly detected from canine s les but few studies have examined commensal isolates in healthy community dogs. We aimed to characterise faecal Escherichia coli from 73 healthy non-veterinarian-visiting and non-antimicrobial treated Labrador retrievers, recruited from dog shows in the North West United Kingdom between November 2010 and June 2011. Each enrolled dog provided one faecal s le for our study. E. coli were isolated from 72/73 (99%) faecal s les. Disc diffusion susceptibility tests were determined for a range of antimicrobials, including phenotypic extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) and AmpC-production. PCR assay detected phylogenetic groups and resistance genes (blaCTX-M, blaSHV, blaTEM, blaOXA, blaCIT, qnr), and conjugation experiments were performed to investigate potential transfer of mobile genetic elements. Multivariable logistic regression examined potential risk factors from owner-questionnaires for the presence of antimicrobial resistant faecal E. coli. Antimicrobial resistant, multi-drug resistant (≥3 antimicrobial classes MDR) and AmpC-producing E. coli were detected in 63%, 30% and 16% of s les, respectively. ESBL-producing E. coli was detected from only one s le and conjugation experiments found that blaCTX-M and blaCIT were transferred from commensal E. coli to a recipient strain. Most isolates were phylogenetic groups B1 and A. Group B2 isolates were associated with lower prevalence of resistance to at least one antimicrobial (P<0.001) and MDR (P<0.001). Significant at P<0.003, was the consumption of raw meat for clavulanate-amoxicillin (OR: 9.57 95% CI: 2.0-45.7) and third generation cephalosporin resistance (3GCR) (OR: 10.9 95% CI: 2.2-54.0). AMR E. coli were surprisingly prevalent in this group of non-antimicrobial treated and non-veterinarian-visiting dogs and consumption of raw meat was a significant risk factor for antimicrobial resistance. These findings are of concern due to the increasing popularity of raw-meat canine diets, and the potential for opportunistic infection, zoonotic transmission and transmission of antimicrobial resistant determinants from commensal isolates to potential pathogenic bacteria.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2011
DOI: 10.1016/J.TVJL.2010.10.006
Abstract: Dog ownership is considered a risk factor for c ylobacteriosis in humans. This study investigated the prevalence and shedding of C ylobacter spp. in kennelled dogs. Faecal s les (n=399) were collected in longitudinal studies from 52 dogs in two kennels. C ylobacter spp. were isolated using charcoal-based selective agars and direct PCR. The prevalence of C ylobacter spp. in dogs in boarding kennels ranged from 46% (95% CI 22, 72) on entry, to 50% (95% CI 30, 70) overall, and in dogs in 'rescue' kennels from 68% (95% CI 49, 84) on entry to 73% (95%, CI 56, 87) overall. C. upsaliensis was isolated from 62% (95% CI 48, 73) of the dogs, whilst C. jejuni was isolated from 15% (95% CI 7, 26) of animals. The majority of infected dogs entered the kennels already carrying C ylobacter spp., and remained infected throughout their stay. However, in some cases, shedding appeared to commence after kennelling. Given that the prevalence of C. upsaliensis and C. jejuni was relatively high in dogs from both boarding and rescue kennels, such animals may pose a zoonotic risk.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2010
DOI: 10.1016/J.TVJL.2009.01.009
Abstract: C ylobacteriosis is a major cause of gastroenteritis in humans and some studies have suggested that dog ownership is a risk factor for the condition. To determine the prevalence, species distribution, and risk indicators for C ylobacter spp. infecting dogs attending veterinary practices in UK, faecal s les were collected in a cross-sectional study from 249 dogs with and without clinical signs. The prevalence of C ylobacter spp. was 38% (95% CI 32, 44), with C ylobacter upsaliensis accounting for 94 (98%) of the isolates and C ylobacter jejuni for the remainder. Multivariable analysis indicated that younger dogs were more likely to carry C. upsaliensis and the high prevalence of this pathogen supports the hypothesis that dogs, particularly younger animals, may be an important source of C. upsaliensis infection for humans. However the prevalence of C. jejuni, the most common C ylobacter spp. associated with disease in humans, was low (1.2%, 95% CI 0.3, 3).
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 10-07-2015
DOI: 10.1017/S0950268815001429
Abstract: C ylobacter is a leading cause of diarrhoea, and its presence in chickens is a significant risk for zoonotic infection. Poultry production is becoming increasingly intensive in Ethiopia and is incorporating more high-producing breeds into traditionally managed smallholdings, especially in peri-urban areas. This cross-sectional study s led 219 household environments in one peri-urban and two rural areas of Ethiopia, and an additional 20 semi-intensive farms in the peri-urban district. C ylobacter was detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-specific assays in 44 s les 16 of which could be identified as C. jejuni . Flocks in the peri-urban area were at significantly greater odds of detection, including those which only kept indigenous birds under a scavenging system. It was also noted that scavenging flocks of exotic high-production birds (Rhode Island Red) were at slightly greater risk, perhaps as exotic birds are under more stress when kept under traditional management systems. We suggest that changes to the system of chicken production may alter the ecology and epidemiology of C ylobacter in the environment, chickens and people, which may drive emergence of new epidemiological patterns of disease. Further research is needed to determine the extent to which the current management intensification and the distribution programmes of exotic and/or improved indigenous birds may alter C ylobacter epidemiology, ecology and public health risk, before their widespread adoption.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 03-02-2021
DOI: 10.1038/S41467-021-20988-W
Abstract: Chickens are the most common birds on Earth and colibacillosis is among the most common diseases affecting them. This major threat to animal welfare and safe sustainable food production is difficult to combat because the etiological agent, avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC), emerges from ubiquitous commensal gut bacteria, with no single virulence gene present in all disease-causing isolates. Here, we address the underlying evolutionary mechanisms of extraintestinal spread and systemic infection in poultry. Combining population scale comparative genomics and pangenome-wide association studies, we compare E. coli from commensal carriage and systemic infections. We identify phylogroup-specific and species-wide genetic elements that are enriched in APEC, including pathogenicity-associated variation in 143 genes that have erse functions, including genes involved in metabolism, lipopolysaccharide synthesis, heat shock response, antimicrobial resistance and toxicity. We find that horizontal gene transfer spreads pathogenicity elements, allowing ergent clones to cause infection. Finally, a Random Forest model prediction of disease status (carriage vs. disease) identifies pathogenic strains in the emergent ST-117 poultry-associated lineage with 73% accuracy, demonstrating the potential for early identification of emergent APEC in healthy flocks.
Location: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Start Date: 2017
End Date: 2021
Funder: Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
View Funded ActivityStart Date: 2018
End Date: 2021
Funder: Economic and Social Research Council
View Funded Activity