Complete genomic sequencing and characterization of an ESBL-producing Escherichia coli , sequence type 8211, isolated from the fecal material of an Eastern Bongo.

The Eastern Bongo ( Tragelaphus eurycerus isaaci ) is a critically endangered species in the wild. In zoos, animals are common carriers of Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL) producing bacteria. The purpose of this study was to determine if the fecal material of an Eastern Bongo from the Great Plains Zoo contained ESBL producing Enterobacteriaceae . Bacteria from this animal were inoculated onto HardyCHROM™ ESBL agar. Isolates with a pink colored colony were subject to whole-genome sequencing. One isolate was identified as Escherichia coli using PubMLST. A putative conjugative plasmid containing seven antimicrobial resistance genes was also found. A Microscan autoSCAN-4 System was then used to determine antimicrobial susceptibility of the isolate. The sequence type identified was (ST/phylogenetic-group/β-lactamase): ST8211/B1/CTX-M-55 + LAP-2 + TEM-1B.