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The discharge of untreated or partially treated wastewater can have detrimental impacts on the quality of water bodies, posing a significant threat to public health and the environment. In Ecuador, previous research indicates a high prevalence of antimicrobial resistant (AMR) bacteria in surface waters affected by human activities, including irrigation channels. In this study, we analyzed sediment samples collected from an irrigation channel utilized for agricultural purposes in northern Ecuador, using microbiological techniques and whole-genome sequencing (WGS). Our investigation revealed the first documented occurrence of E. kobei in Ecuador and the initial report of environmental E. kobei ST2070. Furthermore, we identified the coexistence of OXA-10-type class D ß-lactamase and KPC-2-type class A ß-lactamase in the E. kobei isolate (UTA41), representing the first report of such a phenomenon in this species. Additionally, we detected various antibiotic resistance genes in the E. kobei UTA41 isolate, including blaCTX-M-12, fosA, aac(6')-lb, sul2, msr(E), and mph(A), as well as virulence genes such as bacterial efflux pump and siderophore biosynthesis genes. We also identified two intact prophage regions (Entero_186 and Klebsi_phiKO2) in the isolate. Our study presents the first evidence of E. kobei isolate containing two carbapenemase-encoding genes in environmental samples from Latin America. This finding indicates the potential spread of critical-priority bacteria in water samples originating from anthropogenic sources, such as urban wastewater discharges and livestock facilities.

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In this study, the frequency of canines infected with Leishmania spp. in an area endemic to leishmaniasis in humans was determined. A descriptive pilot study was conducted between the months of October and December 2020 on dogs from Rota, a community in the municipality of León, which included 45 specimens from the peridomestic area. Different variables from each specimen were monitored, such as age, sex, breed, body condition, and clinical characteristics, as well as information on the owners and cases of human leishmaniasis presented in less than 5 years. Blood samples were collected from the cephalic vein and peripheral blood was separated. A complete blood count (CBC) was performed using venous blood samples with ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA), as well as a conventional PCR was applied for the detection of Leishmania spp. Amastigotes were found in 22% of venous or peripheral blood samples, whereas a high prevalence of 28.89% (95% CI: 14.53-43.24) was found by PCR. Only 1/12 of positive dogs in PCR presented dry exfoliative dermatitis, therefore, there was no significant difference (p ≥ 0.05), the age and sex of the dogs were also not factors associated with infection (p ≥ 0.05). This study reports for the first time the molecular detection of Leishmania in dogs in an endemic area of leishmaniasis in humans in Nicaragua. The high frequency of dogs infected with Leishmania suggests that they play an important role in the transmission cycle of human leishmaniasis.

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One hundred and five uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) strains from patients with community-acquired urinary tract infections were characterized according to phylogenetic group, virulence factors, serogroup, antibiotic resistance, and genotype. The pathogenic phylogenetic groups (B2, D, and F) were found in 71.4% of the tested strains. Among them, the main uropathogenic serogroups were O8, O25, and O75, in which 97.1% of the strains had a multidrug-resistant profile. Sixteen virulence genes were analysed using a combination of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays, with the fimH, irp-2, iutA, aer, iucC, PAI, sat, iroN, usp, and cnf1 genes being mainly found in pathogenic phylogroups. The E. coli O25b-ST131 clone was identified in 32% of the strains assigned to the pathogenic phylogroup B2. These findings demonstrate that virulence genes encoding adhesin components, iron-acquisition systems, toxins, and pathogenicity-associated islands were highly prevalent among the pathogenic phylogroup of UPEC strains.

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This study aimed to identify and characterize integrons among multidrug-resistant (MDR) uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) from outpatients in Mexico City, Mexico. PCR assays were used to screen for the presence of class 1, 2 and 3 integrons, whose PCR products were sequenced to identify the inserted gene cassettes within the variable regions. Out of 83 tested strains, 53 (63.9%) were positive for the presence of class 1 integrons, whereas no integrons were detected in the remaining strains, regardless of their classes. Most of the strains carrying the intI1 gene belonged to the extraintestinal B2 (41.5%) and commensal A (32.1%) phylogroups, and to a lesser extent, the extraintestinal D (20.8%) and commensal B1 (5.7%) phylogroups. Moreover, 8 different gene cassette arrangements were detected, with dfrA17 and aadA5 being the most common (32.1% of the class 1 integron-positive strains), which confer resistance to trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole and aminoglycosides, respectively. Our results suggest that class 1 integrons are widely distributed among MDR-UPEC strains in Mexico, which may directly or indirectly contribute to the selection of MDR strains. These findings are important for a better understanding of the factors and mechanisms that promote multidrug resistance among UPEC strains.

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Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are mainly caused by uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC), whose impact can be exacerbated by multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains. Effective control strategies are, therefore, urgently needed. Among them, phage therapy represents a suitable alternative. Here, we describe the isolation and characterization of novel phages from wastewater samples, as well as their lytic activity against biofilm and adherence of UPEC to HEp-2 cells. The results demonstrated that phage vB_EcoM-phiEc1 (ϕEc1) belongs to Myoviridae family, whereas vB_EcoS-phiEc3 (ϕEc3) and vB_EcoS-phiEc4 (ϕEc4) belong to Siphoviridae family. Phages showed lytic activity against UPEC and gut commensal strains. Phage ϕEc1 lysed UPEC serogroups, whereas phages ϕEc3 and ϕEc4 lysed only UTI strains with higher prevalence toward the O25 serogroup. Moreover, phages ϕEc1 and ϕEc3 decreased both biofilm formation and adherence, whereas ϕEc4 was able to decrease adherence but not biofilm formation. In conclusion, these novel phages showed the ability to decrease biofilm and bacterial adherence, making them promising candidates for effective adjuvant treatment against UTIs caused by MDR UPEC strains. KEY POINTS: Phage with lytic activity against MDR UPEC strains were isolated and characterized under in vitro conditions. A novel method was proposed to evaluate phage activity against bacterial adherence in HEp-2 cell.. Phages represent a suitable strategy to control infections caused by MDR bacteria.

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This study describes the bacterial community composition within the intestinal ecosystem of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) using high-throughput 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. Sequences from intestinal samples from Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) farmed in New Zealand and rainbow trout farmed in Turkey were also included for comparative purposes. The results revealed that the most abundant operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were affiliated to the genus Mycoplasma, but were not specifically associated with any known species. Comparative analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that these OTUs represent potentially novel species within the genus Mycoplasma.

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Although antibiotic resistance represents a significant and growing public health concern, the contribution of bacteriophages (phages) to the mobilization of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in the environment has not been extensively studied. Recent studies, however, suggest that phages play an important role in the acquisition, maintenance, and spread of ARGs than previously expected. This Opinion article offers an update on the contribution of phages to environmental antibiotic resistance. A better understanding of the mechanisms and factors that promote antibiotic resistance may significantly contribute to the implementation of control strategies.

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Although antibiotic resistance represents a significant and growing threat to human and environmental health worldwide, the contribution of bacteriophages (phages) to the acquisition and spread of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in the environment has not been extensively explored. In this study, a comprehensive analysis of several viromes from diverse marine habitats was performed to investigate whether or not phages carry ARGs. The analysis provides strong evidence that phages from marine habitats are potential reservoirs of ARGs. In fact, genes conferring resistance to aminocoumarin, bacitracin and multidrug resistance (particularly the mexB gene) were found in all analyzed marine viromes. Given this, the role of phages as reservoirs of ARGs should not be underestimated considering their global distribution.

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