Complete genome sequences of multidrug-resistant Campylobacter jejuni 14980A (turkey feces) and Campylobacter coli 14983A (housefly from turkey farm), harboring a novel gentamicin resistance mobile element.

Authors: Miller, William - Bill; Huynh, Steven; Parker, Craig; NEIDERMAYER, JEFFREY - North Carolina State University; KATHARIOU, SOPHIA - North Carolina State University

Submitted to: Genome Announcements
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/2/2016
Publication Date: 10/20/2016
Citation: Miller, W.G., Huynh, S., Parker, C., Neidermayer, J., Kathariou, S. 2016. Complete genome sequences of multidrug-resistant Campylobacter jejuni 14980A (turkey feces) and Campylobacter coli 14983A (housefly from turkey farm), harboring a novel gentamicin resistance mobile element. Genome Announcements. 4(5):e01175-16. doi:10.1128/genomeA.01175-16.

Interpretive Summary: Campylobacter species are isolated typically from a wide variety of warm-blooded animals and birds, including a large number of food animals and poultry. Antibiotic resistance is encountered frequently in Campylobacter with multidrug-resistant Campylobacter (that is, organisms resistant to three or more classes of antimicrobials) becoming increasingly prevalent. This study characterizes two multidrug-resistant Campylobacter strains: a Campylobacter coli strain isolated from a housefly at a turkey production facility (resistant to tetracycline, streptomycin, erythromycin, kanamycin, ciprofloxacin, nalidixic acid and gentamicin) and a Campylobacter jejuni strain isolated from turkey feces at the same facility (resistant to tetracycline, streptomycin, kanamycin, ciprofloxacin, nalidixic acid and gentamicin). Genes and mutations associated with the antibiotic resistances were identified in both strains. However, a singular characteristic of both strains is the presence of a novel mobile genetic element that confers gentamicin resistance. This element was present on the chromosome of both strains, albeit at different locations. Furthermore, this element was nearly identical in both strains, suggesting recent acquisition of the element by one strain from the other, or by both strains from a common, and as yet undetermined, third source.

Technical Abstract: Multidrug resistance (MDR) in foodborne pathogens is a major food safety and public health issue. Here we describe whole-genome sequences of two MDR strains of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli from turkey feces and a housefly in a turkey farm. Both strains harbor a novel chromosomal gentamicin resistance mobile element.