Multi-drug resistance and diversity of mobile genetic elements in Escherichia coli isolated from migratory bird in Poyang Lake.

With the spread of antibiotic resistance genes such as blaCTX-M-2, dfrA1 and blaNDM-1, the problem of drug resistance in E. coli is becoming increasingly serious [1]. This study aimed to identify integrons genes and MGEs in E. coli isolated from migratory birds' feces at Poyang Lake, Jiangxi Province, focusing on their role in antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The 114 isolated E. coli strains were tested by standard disk diffusion method and genetic testing method. Results showed 64.04 % (73/114) of isolates were multi-drug resistance (MDR), mainly resistant to 3-6 antibiotics. Common resistances included neomycin (50 %) and streptomycin (48.25 %). We detected 21 mobile genetic elements, including IS903 (92.11 %), traA (72.81 %), ISCR3 (64.91 %), and ISpa7 (50 %). These elements were present in all isolates, forming 112 combinations. Significant differences in resistance rates were found between class I integron-positive and negative strains for doxycycline, tetracycline, bacitracin, and streptomycin (P < 0.01), and for neomycin (P < 0.05). Class II integron-positive bacteria showed higher resistance to doxycycline (P < 0.01) and ceftizoxime (P < 0.05). No significant differences were observed for class III integron-positive strains. This study underscores the prevalence of multidrug-resistant and the diversity of mobile genetic elements in E. coli, emphasizing the need for continuous monitoring.