Abstract
Several bacteria, such as Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas, and Staphylococcus 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 E. coli isolates from hedgehogs in the Kerman, Iran. Totally, 105 E. coli 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 bla (TEM), 3.80% for bla (CTX) (-) (M), 8.50% for bla (SHV), and 1.90% for bla (CMY). The frequency of colicin genes, including E1, V, E2-E9, and Ia.Ib was 5.71, 4.76, 10.47, and 11.42%, respectively. All E. coli isolates were negative for 5.10.K, Y.U, and A.N.S4 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 E. coli strains in urban environments. This study highlights the necessity of E. coli surveillance among domestic and wild animals.