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Comparison of the antibiotic resistance between genetically diverse and toxigenic Bacillus cereus sensu lato from milk, pepper and natural habitats
Author(s) -
Bartoszewicz M.,
Czyżewska U.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of applied microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.889
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1365-2672
pISSN - 1364-5072
DOI - 10.1111/jam.14792
Subject(s) - biology , cereus , bacillus cereus , microbiology and biotechnology , multilocus sequence typing , antibiotic resistance , antibiotics , context (archaeology) , tetracycline , bacteria , genotype , genetics , gene , paleontology
Abstract Aims Bacillus cereus sensu lato is a complex group of closely related bacteria, which are commonly present in the natural environment and food products. These organisms may cause food poisoning and spoilage as well as opportunistic infections. Thus far, their resistance to selected antibiotics has been explored only in part, especially in the context of strain source. Therefore, our goal was to compare the resistance of B. cereus sl from milk (environment with the potential impact of antibiotics) with strains from soil and pepper (environment without contact with antibiotics) in relation to their origin, toxicity and phylogenetic relationships. Methods and results Antibiotic resistance of B. cereus sl was assessed by determining their minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) followed by statistical analyses. The phylogeny of the bacteria was investigated by multilocus sequence typing, and toxicity was determined with quantitative reverse‐transcription real‐time PCR. We found that the isolates from milk were more often multiresistant and exhibited a common resistance pattern to β‐lactams but a varied sensitivity to the tested macrolides, clindamycin, tetracycline and vancomycin. Moreover they displayed often significantly higher average MICs; however, their resistance did not correlate with phylogeny, toxicity, or in most cases, with taxonomic affiliation. Conclusion We conclude that mainly food matrices may serve as an important reservoir of resistant isolates of B. cereus sl and that the use of antibiotics for the treatment of animal diseases must be carefully monitored as it strongly promotes natural selection for multiresistant strains, even among opportunist pathogens. Significance and Impact of the Study The fact that compared to the isolates from natural habitats, nonpathogenic B. cereus sl isolated from food acquire antibiotic resistance faster, should increase producers and consumers awareness and result in protection of public health.