Anti-microbial resistance to β-lactams and prevalence of colicin genes among phylotypes of <i>Escherichia coli</i> isolates from hedgehogs.

Several bacteria, such as <i>Escherichia</i> <i>coli</i>, <i>Pseudomonas</i>, and <i>Staphylococcus</i> are considered as indicators of anti-microbial resistance (AMR) in a wide range of hosts and environments, because they may transfer AMR genes to important pathogenic bacteria. Hedgehog is one of the most important wild species living in urban areas. So, this study aimed to determine AMR against β-lactams and prevalence of colicin genes among various phylotypes of <i>E. coli</i> isolates from hedgehogs in the Kerman, Iran. Totally, 105 <i>E. coli</i> isolates were obtained from 21 hedgehogs (five isolates from each hedgehog). Resistances to the ampicillin (79.10%), cefotaxime (66.70%), and amoxicillin-clavulanate (62.00%) were the most prevalent, and resistance against ceftiofur (39.10%), ceftazidime (39.10%), and ceftriaxone (34.30%) had the lowest prevalence rates. In phenotypic tests, 2.90% of the isolates were extended spectrum β-lactamase producers. The prevalence of β-lactam resistance genes was 26.60% for <i>bla</i> _TEM, 3.80% for <i>bla</i> _CTX _- _M, 8.50% for <i>bla</i> _SHV, and 1.90% for <i>bla</i> _CMY. The frequency of colicin genes, including <i>E1</i>, <i>V</i>, <i>E2</i>-<i>E9</i>, and <i>Ia</i>.<i>Ib</i> was 5.71, 4.76, 10.47, and 11.42%, respectively. All <i>E. coli</i> isolates were negative for <i>5.10.K</i>, <i>Y.U</i>, and <i>A.N.S4</i> genes. Phylogenetically, B1 (49.50%), A (40.90%), and D (5.70%) were identified among the isolates, and 3.80% remained unknown. Wildlife could be considered as a bio-marker to determine the environmental dissemination of AMR. Also, hedgehog may be an important reservoir of antibiotic-resistant and non-pathogenic <i>E. coli</i> strains in urban environments. This study highlights the necessity of <i>E. coli</i> surveillance among domestic and wild animals.