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<p><i>Escherichia coli</i> (<i>E. coli</i>) is a common gut commensal and an important opportunistic pathogen in humans and animals. Here, we investigated antimicrobial resistance (AMR), virulence traits, and dissemination potential of <i>E. coli</i> from farmed foxes raised for fur production in northern China. From 248 fecal samples collected in Liaoning, Hebei, and Shandong, 109 <i>E. coli</i> isolates were recovered. We first performed phenotypic screening using four clinically important sentinel antibiotics (meropenem, polymyxin B, tigecycline, and ceftazidime) and then conducted in-depth characterization of the 34 screen-positive isolates, including extended susceptibility testing, PCR detection of resistance/virulence genes, conjugation assays, biofilm quantification, and whole-genome sequencing of 25 representative isolates. The screen-positive isolates showed widespread multidrug resistance and a diverse resistome; transfer of resistance determinants was observed in a subset of isolates. Targeted virulence screening detected only six virulence gene targets (<i>irp2</i>, <i>fimH</i>, <i>fimC</i>, <i>fyuA</i>, <i>astA</i>, and <i>invE</i>), and selected representative strains reduced survival in the <i>Galleria mellonella</i> infection model at high inocula. Biofilm formation varied across isolates, with a subset exhibiting strong biofilm-forming capacity. Whole-genome analysis further revealed abundant resistance determinants, virulence factors, and mobile genetic element–associated genes, highlighting the potential for persistence and dissemination within farm environments. Collectively, these findings provide an integrated view of AMR and virulence features of fox-derived <i>E. coli</i> and support ongoing surveillance and risk-mitigation efforts in fur-animal production systems.</p>

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Antimicrobial resistance analysis of Escherichia coli isolated from foxes in China

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年3月28日

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  • Hao Ni,
  • Jiagong Hou,
  • Qing-Yu Hou,
  • Chao Xu,
  • Xue Leng,
  • Xue-Min Li,
  • Ya Qin,
  • Shuo Liu,
  • Meng-Ting Yang,
  • Lu-Yao Tang,
  • Yu-Zhe Sun,
  • Quan Zhao,
  • Hong-Bo Ni,
  • Xiao-Xuan Zhang,
  • Zhong-Yuan Li,
  • Jing Jiang,
  • Ying Li,
  • He Ma

摘要

Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a common gut commensal and an important opportunistic pathogen in humans and animals. Here, we investigated antimicrobial resistance (AMR), virulence traits, and dissemination potential of E. coli from farmed foxes raised for fur production in northern China. From 248 fecal samples collected in Liaoning, Hebei, and Shandong, 109 E. coli isolates were recovered. We first performed phenotypic screening using four clinically important sentinel antibiotics (meropenem, polymyxin B, tigecycline, and ceftazidime) and then conducted in-depth characterization of the 34 screen-positive isolates, including extended susceptibility testing, PCR detection of resistance/virulence genes, conjugation assays, biofilm quantification, and whole-genome sequencing of 25 representative isolates. The screen-positive isolates showed widespread multidrug resistance and a diverse resistome; transfer of resistance determinants was observed in a subset of isolates. Targeted virulence screening detected only six virulence gene targets (irp2, fimH, fimC, fyuA, astA, and invE), and selected representative strains reduced survival in the Galleria mellonella infection model at high inocula. Biofilm formation varied across isolates, with a subset exhibiting strong biofilm-forming capacity. Whole-genome analysis further revealed abundant resistance determinants, virulence factors, and mobile genetic element–associated genes, highlighting the potential for persistence and dissemination within farm environments. Collectively, these findings provide an integrated view of AMR and virulence features of fox-derived E. coli and support ongoing surveillance and risk-mitigation efforts in fur-animal production systems.