Evidence for plasmid-mediated tetracycline resistance in Paenibacillus larvae, the causal agent of American Foulbrood (AFB) disease in honeybees

Paenibacillus larvae is the causal agent of American Foulbrood (AFB) disease, the most virulent bacterial disease of honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) brood. Oxytetracycline is the main antibiotic used for prevention and control of AFB. Using the polymerase chain reaction, isolates were screened for the presence of the tetracycline resistance tet(K) and tet(L) determinants. Four isolates (5%), which correlated with the Tc-resistant phenotypes, were found to carry the tet(K) determinant, whereas none carried the tet(L) determinant. P. larvae cells were also screened for the presence of extrachromosomal DNA and evidence obtained that tetracycline resistance is plasmid-encoded. A few P. larvae isolates were found to be able to transfer the tet(K) determinant to Bacillus subtilis, suggesting that a conjugation mechanism may be involved in the transfer of the tetracycline-resistant phenotype. Minimum inhibitory concentrations to tetracycline were determined for 75 isolates of P. larvae from different geographical origins and found to range between 0.062 and 128 microg tetracyclineml(-1), with MIC(50) and MIC(90) values of 1 and 4, respectively. According to results from P. larvae populations, isolates could be considered as susceptible when their MICs were <4, intermediate for MICs values 4-8 and resistant for MICs > or = 16. To our knowledge, this is the first report of Tc(r)Paenibacillus species carrying a tet(K) gene, and also the first record of P. larvae strains carrying tet(K) determinants and its correlation with the presence of extrachromosomal DNA.     

Prevalence of tetracycline-resistant Campylobacter in organic broilers during a production cycle

Tetracycline (tet) resistance in Campylobacter isolated from organically raised broilers was investigated in this study. Two hundred forty-five samples from an organic broiler farm were collected weekly from the first week to the end of the production cycle, and they were cultured for thermophilic Campylobacter. Tetracycline resistance of these Campylobacter isolates was identified by the agar dilution method, whereas DNA fingerprinting profiles of tet-susceptible and tet-resistant strains were determined by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). None of the Campylobacter isolates from the third and the fourth week of the production period were resistant to tetracycline, whereas 66.7% of the isolates from the fifth week were resistant to this antibiotic. Although the prevalence of tetracycline resistance reached 100.0% during the sixth and seventh week, less than 34.0% of the isolates from the 10th week were resistant to this antimicrobial agent. In addition, only 13.8% of Campylobacter isolates from the intestinal tracts of these organically raised broilers were resistant to tetracycline. The presence of the tet(O) gene was detected in 98.9% of tet-resistant Campylobacter isolates, and tet-susceptible and tet-resistant Campylobacter strains showed distinct PFGE genotypes. The results suggest that the Campylobacter strains isolated from the early stage of the production were susceptible to tetracycline, but they were subsequently displaced by tet-resistant Campylobacter.     

四环素耐药基因在鸡源沙门氏菌中的分布和传播

试验分析了84株鸡源沙门氏菌分离株的四环素耐药性,用PCR方法检测四环素耐药基因在分离株中的分布情况。结果显示,四环素耐药率为49%(41/84),鸡白痢和鸡伤寒沙门氏菌仅携带tet(A)基因(23/23),肠炎沙门氏菌和德尔卑沙门氏菌携带tet(A)(8/18)、tet(B)(17/18)或tet(G)(10/18)三种基因,tetC基因在这些沙门氏菌中都没有检测到。该类基因多数位于结合性质粒上,但是不在整合子范围内。     

Genetic diversity and tetracycline resistance genes of Histophilus somni

Nasal swabs were collected at three time points from 2378 calves in four feedlots and cultured for Histophilus somni to assess genetic relatedness and tetracycline resistance. The proportions of animals carrying tetracycline resistant isolates were 0.32% at arrival, 14.82% at interim, and 0.80% at exit. The 606 H. somni isolates recovered were compared by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), screened for the presence of plasmids, and assessed for the tetracycline resistance genes tet(A), tet(B), tet(C), tet(E), tet(G), tet(H), tet(K), tet(L), tet(M) and tet(O) using multiplex polymerase chain reaction. Most of the isolates (98.6%) belonged to one of seven PFGE clusters (A-G) of closely related profiles with 77.7% of the isolates belonging to clusters C and D. Clusters A, B and E were associated with a higher proportion of tetracycline susceptible isolates. Genetic diversity of the isolates was highest at entry in the feedlot and lowest after the period when the animals received in-feed chlortetracycline (interim samples). Clusters A and E were more prominently represented at exit from the feedlot than other clusters. All resistant strains harboured the gene tet(H) while no other tetracycline resistance genes and no plasmids were detected with the methodology employed. It appears that genetic variability in H. somni in Alberta feedlots is low, dissemination likely occurs by clonal expansion, and resistance to tetracyclines is mediated by the tet(H) encoded efflux pump. Pulsotypes associated with tetracycline susceptible strains appear more common at exit suggesting that the in-feed oxytetracycline included throughout the feeding period is not sufficient to exert selective pressure for resistant strains.     

Antibiotic Resistance of Vibrio anguillarum,in Relation to Serovar and Plasmid Contents

A total of 520 Vibrio anguillarum strains, isolated from fish and the environment, were tested for their sensitivity to 20 different antibiotics. Most isolates were of European origin. The results were compared with data on the O-serogroup and plasmid contents. All strains were sensitive to neomycin, spectinomycin, nitrofurantoin, flumequine and oxolinic acid, while most strains were sensitive to streptomycin, Oxytetracycline, chloramphenicol, sulphonamides, trimethoprim, sulphonamides with trimethoprim, nalidixan, rifampicin, novobiocin and O/129. A major part of the strains were resistant to the macrolides, spiramycin and lincomycin. For ampicillin, cephalothin, and Colistin marked differences were recorded with respect to O-serogroup. Most O1 strains were resistant to Colistin and sensitive to ampicillin and cephalothin, while most O2 strains were sensitive to Colistin but resistant to ampicillin and cephalothin. Some antibiotic resistant strains carried plasmids but no conjugation experiments were carried out to detect possible R factors.     

Characterization of Salmonella Dublin and Salmonella Typhimurium (Copenhagen) Isolates from Cattle

Brackelsberg, C.A., Nolan, L.K. and Brown, J., 1997. Characterization of Salmonella dublin and Salmonella typhimurium (Copenhagen) isolates from cattle. Veterinary Research Communications, 21 (6), 409-420Eight Salmonella typhimurium (Copenhagen) and eight Salmonella dublin isolates from cattle were compared by their antibiotic resistance patterns, by their production of colicin, aerobactin, haemolysin and capsule, by their possession of transmissible R plasmids and the spvC gene, and by their ability to invade and replicate within cultured epithelial cells. The two groups differed in their antibiotic resistance profiles, with more of the host-adapted S. dublin isolates resistant to tetracycline than were the non-host-adapted S. typhimurium (Copenhagen) group, but more of the S. typhimurium (Copenhagen) isolates resistant to the other antibiotics tested. None of the isolates produced colicin, but all produced aerobactin. One isolate in each group was encapsulated. All of the S. typhimurium (Copenhagen) and S. dublin isolates contained plasmids, and all of them contained the spvC-homologous sequences. Four of the S. typhimurium (Copenhagen) isolates were able to transfer an R plasmid to a recipient organism by conjugation. One of the five S. dublin isolates, which showed resistance to some of the antibiotics tested, was able to transfer an R plasmid by conjugation. Both groups of isolates invaded cultured epithelial cells to a similar degree after 1 h, but the S. dublin isolates reached significantly higher levels within the cells than did S. typhimurium (Copenhagen) after 9 h. This ability may, in part, explain the association of S. dublin with more severe forms of salmonellosis and prolonged carrier states. Further study of the intracellular growth of these isolates seems warranted.     

Antimicrobial resistance and resistance genes in Staphylococcus aureus strains from rabbits

Fifty-six Staphylococcus aureus isolates recovered between 1998 and 2003 from 31 rabbit farms with and without problems of chronic staphylococcosis, were screened for resistance to enrofloxacin, erythromycin, gentamicin, lincomycin, neomycin, penicillin and tetracyclines using the agar dilution test. For penicillin, a disk diffusion test was also performed. The detection of tetP(B), tet(K), tet(L), tet(M), tet(O), tet(T), tet(W), erm(A), erm(B), erm(C) and mec(A) genes was done via a PCR assay. Four isolates showed resistance to erythromycin and lincomycin. These isolates were positive for the erm(C) gene in the PCR. Eleven strains were resistant to tetracyclines and all harboured the tet(K) gene. In the agar dilution test, five isolates showed resistance to penicillin, whereas in the disk diffusion test 12 isolates showed resistance. None of these 12 resistant isolates carried the mec(A) gene. Only one strain showed resistance to gentamicin, and all strains were susceptible to enrofloxacin and neomycin. This study demonstrates that resistance to antimicrobial agents in S. aureus isolates originating from rabbits is relatively rare compared to resistance in S. aureus isolates originating from other animals and humans.     

Phenotypic and genotypic differentiation of porcine Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Derby isolates

Sixty-two Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Derby isolates from slaughter pigs and meat products isolated in Southern Brazil were analyzed for their genomic relationships and for the presence of antimicrobial resistance genes. Twenty-four S. Derby isolates were indistinguishable by their subtracted restriction fingerprinting (SRF) pattern, XbaI- and BlnI-macrorestriction patterns, phage type, plasmid profile, and resistance pattern. In contrast to the BlnI-macrorestriction patterns, the XbaI-macrorestriction patterns were in good agreement with the results of SRF analysis and phage typing. Among the four phage types detected, PT10 and PT21 were the most common. The combination of all typing methods revealed a great diversity among the S. Derby isolates. All strains carried plasmids and the 60 resistant isolates showed at least tetracycline resistance. The resistance genes found were sul1 and/or sul2 (sulfonamide resistance), aadA2 (streptomycin/spectinomycin resistance), tet(A) (tetracycline resistance), tet(B) (tetracycline/minocycline resistance), bla(TEM) (ampicillin resistance), and dfrA14 (trimethoprim resistance). A correlation of the geno- and phenotypic characteristics with the origin of the isolates revealed a substantial temporal variation in the occurrence of specific S. Derby isolates in different independent pig production lines in Southern Brazil. The large number of resistant isolates underlined the potential risk that S. Derby isolates can pose to human health when they enter the food chain.     

Susceptibility of Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecium isolated from pigs and broiler chickens to tetracycline degradation products and distribution of tetracycline resistance determinants in E. coli from food animals

One hundred Escherichia coli isolates from diseased and healthy pigs, cattle and broiler chickens were screened for the presence of tetracycline resistance genes tet(A), (B), (C), (D) or (E). The tet(A) gene was the most abundant (71% of the 100 isolates) followed by tet(B) (25%). The predominance of tet(A) and tet(B) applied to all three animal species, and there was no difference between the distribution of tet(A) and tet(B) genes among non-pathogenic and pathogenic E. coli in any of the animal species. The susceptibility of 20 of these isolates together with 10 tetracycline sensitive E. coli and 18 tetracycline resistant and 10 sensitive Enterococcus faecium to tetracyclines and tetracycline degradation products was determined. The resistant isolates showed reduced resistance to anhydrotetracycline, 4-epi-anhydrotetracycline, anhydrochlortetracycline and 4-epi-anhydrochlortetracycline. In general both the tetracycline resistant and susceptible E. faecium were more susceptible to the compounds tested than E. coli.     

3株猪源大肠埃希氏菌耐药基因的初步定位

本试验旨在对临床分离的猪源大肠埃希氏菌耐药基因进行初步定位。采用常规细菌分离培养、16S rRNA PCR扩增和序列测定方法从江西省3个规模化猪场送检的子宫脓液中分离鉴定病原菌,并通过质粒提取、转化大肠埃希氏菌DH5α感受态细胞及药敏试验对临床分离株的耐药基因进行初步定位。结果显示,分离鉴定到3株大肠埃希氏菌,其中JX-22分离株仅对氧氟沙星、大观霉素敏感,JX-26分离株仅对链霉素、氧氟沙星等4种药物敏感,JX-28分离株仅对氧氟沙星等3种药物敏感,均为多重耐药菌;3株大肠埃希氏菌均可纯化到分子质量大小不一的质粒。分离株、质粒转化菌及大肠埃希氏菌DH5α感受态细胞药敏试验对比结果显示,3株大肠埃希氏菌的耐链霉素、林可霉素、甲硝唑、氨苄西林、阿莫西林、大观霉素、丁胺卡那基因,JX-22和JX-26分离株的耐多西环素、氟苯尼考和复方新诺明基因,JX-22分离株的耐头孢曲松基因,JX-28分离株的耐头孢曲松、头孢噻肟、诺氟沙星基因均定位于细菌质粒上;JX-28分离株的耐多西环素、氟苯尼考和复方新诺明基因,JX-22分离株的耐诺氟沙星基因和JX-26分离株的耐头孢曲松、头孢噻肟基因均定位于其染色体上;3株分离株均无氧氟沙星耐药基因。本试验初步确定3株多重耐药猪源大肠埃希氏菌的大部分耐药基因定位于质粒上,为进一步研究猪源大肠埃希氏菌的耐药机理和有效控制措施奠定基础。     

Trends in antimicrobial susceptibility in relation to antimicrobial usage and presence of resistance genes in Staphylococcus hyicus isolated from exudative epidermitis in pigs

From 1996 to 2001 a total of 467 Staphylococcus hyicus isolates from exudative epidermitis (EE) in pigs in Denmark were examined for susceptibility to 13 different antimicrobial agents. The presence of selected genes encoding macrolide (erm(A), erm(B) and erm(C)), penicillin (blaZ), streptogramin (vat, vga, vga(B), vat(B), vat(D) and vat(E)), streptomycin (aadE) and tetracycline resistance (tet(K), tet(L), tet(M) and tet(O)) were determined in selected isolates.The occurrence of erythromycin resistance increased from 33% in 1996 to a maximum of 62% in 1997 and decreased to 26% in 2001. Resistance to sulphametazole increased from 17% in 1996 to 30% in 1998 but has since decreased to 4% in 2001. Resistance to trimethoprim increased to 51% in 1997 and decreased to 21% in 2001. Resistance to tetracycline (21-31%) remained relatively constant during 1996-2000, but increased to 47% in 2001. Resistance to penicillin (54-75%) streptomycin (33-53%) and tetracycline (21-47%) remained relatively constant over the time investigated.All 48 penicillin resistant isolates examined contained the blaZ gene and 40 (85%) of the streptomycin resistant isolates the aadE gene. It was not possible to detect any streptogramin resistance gene in four streptogramin resistant isolates. Of the 55 erythromycin resistant isolates examined, five contained erm(A), 13 erm(B), 35 erm(C) and two both erm(A) and erm(C). The presence of erm(B) was confirmed by hybridization to plasmid profiles in all 13 PCR-positive isolates. Of 52 tetracycline resistant isolates examined, two contained tet(L), 38 tet(K) and 12 both tet(K) and tet(L).     

Effect of long-term tetracycline exposure (drinking water additive) on antibiotic-resistance of aerobic gram-negative intestinal flora of rats.

A study was undertaken to determine the effect of 2 years of intermittent administration of tetracycline in drinking water on antibiotic resistance in the aerobic gram-negative enterobacteria of rats in a closed colony. The bacterial isolates examined were resistant to tetracycline and streptomycin. Minimal inhibitory concentrations of tetracycline and streptomycin for intestinal organisms were similar in all of the animals, regardless of whether the animals were sampled while they were given drinking water with added tetracycline or at intervals of 3, 8, and 9 months after the antibiotic was no longer added to the drinking water. Biochemical examination of the isolates from each principal showed that Escherichia coli was the predominant enteric organism. In conjugation experiments, all E coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated transferred tetracycline and streptomycin resistance to an E coli K-12 recipient. Four different strains of rats that had not been treated with tetracycline (controls) were examined for tetracycline resistance. Tetracycline-resistant Proteus mirabilis was isolated from the intestines of these animals. Plasmid-mediated resistance could not be demonstrated. The E coli and P vulgaris isolates from these control animals were susceptible to tetracycline.     

大肠杆菌多重耐药调节基区AcrR和MarR突变

研究大肠杆菌多重耐药外输泵抑制基因AcrR和MarR突变对大肠杆菌多重耐药的调节机制。采用琼脂平板二倍稀释法测定环丙沙星、诺氟沙星、氯霉素、四环素、利福平、庆大霉素、大观霉素、阿米卡星、链霉素、阿莫西林等10种药物对临床分离的33株大肠杆菌和大肠埃希氏菌的标准菌株ATCC25922的最小抑菌浓度（MIC），从中筛选出7株多重耐药菌和2株相对敏感菌，并对这9株菌及标准菌ATCC25922的AcrR和MarR基因进行聚合酶链式反应（PCR）扩增并克隆后测序，分析DNA序列及氨基酸序列的突变情况。耐药菌和敏感菌均发现有部分菌株发生了不同程度的点突变。AcrR和MarR同时突变将更大限度的提高细菌的耐药性。     

Identification of the tetracycline resistance gene, tet(M), in Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae

This is the first report to demonstrate the presence of tet(M) in naturally occurring isolates of tetracycline-resistant Erysipelothrix rbusiopathiae, which causes swine erysipelas. The tet(M) gene was isolated from E. rhusiopathiae strain KY5-42. The nucleotide and the deduced amino acid sequence were 99% identical to the tet(M) gene from Enterococcus faecalis. The gene was necessary and sufficient for the expression of tetracycline resistance in Escherichia coli. The presence of the tet(M) gene in the 114 tetracycline-resistant E. rhusiopathiae isolates from diseased pigs was detected by the polymerase chain reaction assay. The specific amplified DNA fragment was obtained from all 114 tetracycline-resistant strains. It was suggested that the tet(M) gene was widely present in the field isolates of E. rhusiopathiae resistant to tetracycline.     

大肠杆菌多重耐药调节基因AcrR和MarR突变

研究大肠杆菌多重耐药外输泵抑制基因AcrR和MarR突变对大肠杆菌多重耐药的调节机制。采用琼脂平板二倍稀释法测定环丙沙星、诺氟沙星、氯霉素、四环素、利福平、庆大霉素、大观霉素、阿米卡星、链霉素、阿莫西林等10种药物对临床分离的33株大肠杆菌和大肠埃希氏菌的标准菌株ATCC25922的最小抑菌浓度(MIC),从中筛选出7株多重耐药菌和2株相对敏感菌,并对这9株菌及标准菌ATCC25922的AcrR和MarR基因进行聚合酶链式反应(PCR)扩增并克隆后测序,分析DNA序列及氨基酸序列的突变情况。耐药菌和敏感菌均发现有部分菌株发生了不同程度的点突变。AcrR和MarR同时突变将更大限度的提高细菌的耐药性。     

Antibiotic resistance pattern among the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Salmonella</Emphasis> isolated from human,animal and meat in India

The present study was conducted to study the antibiotic resistance pattern among nontyphoidal Salmonella isolated from human, animal and meat. A total of 37 Salmonella strains isolated from clinical cases (human and animal) and meat during 2008–2009 belonging to 12 serovars were screened for their antimicrobial resistance pattern using 25 antimicrobial agents falling under 12 different antibiotic classes. All the Salmonella isolates tested showed multiple drug resistance varying from 5.40% to 100% with 16 of the 25 antibiotics tested. None of the isolates were sensitive to erythromycin and metronidazole. Resistance was also observed against clindamycin (94.59%), ampicillin (86.49%), co-trimoxazole (48.65%), colistin (45.94%), nalidixic acid (35.10%), amoxyclave (18.90%), cephalexin, meropenem, tobramycin, nitrofurantoin, tetracycline, amoxicillin (8.10% each), sparfloxacin and streptomycin (5.40% each). Isolates from clinical cases of animals were resistant to as many as 16 antibiotics, whereas isolates from human clinical cases and meat were resistant to 9 and 14 antibiotics, respectively. Overall, 19 resistotypes were recorded. Analysis of multiple antibiotic resistance index (MARI) indicated that clinical isolates from animals had higher MARI (0.25) as compared to isolates from food (0.22) and human (0.21). Among the different serotypes studied for antibiogram, Paratyhi B isolates, showed resistance to three to 13 antibiotics, whereas Typhimurium strains were resistant to four to seven antibiotics. Widespread multidrug resistance among the isolates from human, animal and meat was observed. Some of the uncommon serotypes exhibited higher resistance rate. Considerable changes in the resistance pattern were also noted. An interesting finding was the reemergence of sensitivity to some of the old antibiotics (chloromphenicol, tetracycline).     

Analysis of Salmonella enterica serotype Enteritidis isolated from human and chickens by repetitive sequence-PCR fingerprinting, antibiotic resistance and plasmid profiles

A total of 22 Salmonella enterica serotype Enteritidis (S. Enteritidis) strains isolated from human and chicken were subjected to DNA fingerprinting by repetitive sequence PCR using ERIC and BOX primers, antibiotic resistance and plasmid patterns. Both ERIC and BOX PCR amplification data revealed a highly genetic homogeneity between isolates from human and chicken except one isolate, which originated from chicken and showed a different DNA band pattern from others. Eleven of 22 S. Enteritidis isolates (50%) were resistant to more than one antibiotics and characterized by 5 resistance patterns. The most common pattern was penicillin resistant (63.6%). Only one isolate from chicken showed a multiple drug resistance patterns to 4 antibiotics. All 22 S. Enteritidis isolates harbored more than two plasmids with eight different plasmid profiles including two to six plasmids with approximate molecular size ranging from 1.9 to 21 kb. A band of 15 kb size was detected in all isolates tested, however, the band sizes smaller than 15 kb were found only in isolates from chicken.     

The Effect of Chlortetracycline Feed Additive on the Antibiotic Resistance of Fecal Coliforms of Weaned Pigs Subjected to Experimental Salmonella Infection

The effect of chlortetracycline fed at concentrations of 10 or 20 grams per ton on the antibiotic resistance of fecal coliforms from weaned pigs from four different farms was studied. At admission to experimental quarters, coliforms resistant to at least one antibiotic predominated in all groups of animals.

In pigs from three farms, chlortetracycline caused a reduction in the proportion of sensitive coliforms excreted, the extent of reduction depending on feeding practices on the farm of origin. In another experiment using pigs from a fourth farm, almost all coliforms isolated were resistant.

Of all resistant strains isolated, those carrying resistance to a multiplicity of antibiotics predominated, and resistance to tracycline unaccompanied by that to other agents was relatively infrequent.

Special studies of hemolytic coliforms from pigs from one farm identified two particular antibiotic sensitive types. No further isolations of these types were made once chlortetracycline administration began although 21 additional isolates were made from littermates receiving unsupplemented ration.

These findings suggest that the elimination of sensitive strains resulting from chlortetracycline administration was due to a replacement of these strains by different resistant types rather than by acquisition of resistance by previously sensitive strains.

     

Limited genetic diversity of Aerococcus viridans strains isolated from clinical and subclinical cases of bovine mastitis in Slovakia

The Aerococcus viridans isolates from bovine mastitis in Slovakia were isolated and characterized by classical microbiological and biochemical, and molecular techniques including IGS-PCR and rep-PCR, ARDRA and 16S rDNA gene sequencing. The substantial variability of antibiotic resistance patterns was observed. The majority of strains were resistant to beta-lactam antibiotics, the resistance to tetracycline was observed in 3 tested strains, resistance to lincomycin was found in 4 strains and practically all tested strains were sensitive to neomycin and ciprofloxacin. While variable at a phenotypic level, no significant genetic variability among A. viridans isolates was detected by molecular DNA based methods. The data obtained suggest that a few A. viridans strains spread among cow's population in Slovak farms.     

Microarray based comparative genotyping of gentamicin resistant Escherichia coli strains from food animals and humans

Recent data from the European and Hungarian Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring Systems have indicated that the routine use of gentamicin in human and veterinary medicine frequently leads to the selection of gentamicin resistance in Escherichia coli. The aim of this study was to provide molecular characterization of gentamicin resistance in clinical and commensal E. coli strains representing humans and food producing animals by genotyping for antimicrobial resistance and virulence using a miniaturized microarray. All 50 strains tested proved to be multidrug resistant defined as resistance to three or more antimicrobial classes. Antimicrobial resistances genes such as aadA1-like, strB, bla(TEM), sul1 and tet(A) or tet(B), and corresponding phenotypes (streptomycin-, ampicillin-, sulfamethoxazole- and tetracycline resistance) were detected in >50% of isolates regardless of the host or clinical background. However, certain genes encoding gentamicin resistance such as aac(6')-Ib and ant(2″)-Ia as well as catB3-like genes for phenicol resistance were only detected in human isolates. Among virulence genes, the increased serum survival gene iss was predominant in all host groups. Although the majority of gentamicin resistant E. coli strains were characterized by diverse antimicrobial resistance, and virulence gene patterns, accentuated links between catB3-like, aac(6')-Ib, bla(CTX-M-1) and sat genes could be detected in human strains. Further resistance/virulence gene associations (tet(A) with iroN and iss) were detected in poultry strains. In conclusion, the simultaneous characterization of antimicrobial resistance and virulence genotypes of representative clinical and commensal strains of E. coli should be useful for the identification of emerging genotypes with human and or animal health implications.