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Identification and Characterization of Cronobacter Strains Isolated from Environmental Samples

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Abstract

As an emerging food-borne pathogen, Cronobacter species are ubiquitous in the food and environment. In order to know the characteristics of Cronobacter spp. from the environment, we isolated Cronobacter spp. from soil and water, and then studied the molecular typing and antibiotic resistance characteristics of these isolates. In 2016, 141 soil and water samples were collected from farms and Riverside Park in Beijing. Isolates were identified by real-time PCR, 16s rRNA sequencing, and whole-genome sequencing. Molecular subtyping of these isolates was characterized by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, multilocus sequence typing (MLST), and antibiotic susceptibility tests. Cronobacter species were classified based on fusA sequencing. Twenty-two samples (15.60%) contained Cronobacter spp., and four species were detected, i.e., C. dubliniensis (n = 10), C. sakazakii (n = 6), C. turicensis (n = 4), and C. malonaticus (n = 2). For MLST, 12 types (ST519–ST525, ST533–ST537) were newly identified, indicating high diversity. Most isolates (68.18%) showed resistance to cefazolin. Siccibacter turicensis and Cronobacter both with blue-green colonies on selective media should be respectively identified. Apparently, major Cronobacter species in soil and water samples differed from those in food. Molecular subtyping showed that the environment could not be excluded as a source of Cronobacter infection. The resistance to cefazolin of most isolates indicated natural resistance.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (81501799) and the National Science and Technology Key Project of China.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Disease, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, No. 155 Chang Bai Road, Chang Ping District, Beijing, 102206, China

    Jinrui Hu, Xiaoli Du, Zhigang Cui & Jinghua Cui

  2. Shanxi Key Laboratory of Stem Cell for Immunological Dermatosis, Institute of Dermatology, Taiyuan City Center Hospital, No. 1 Dong San Dao Xiang, Jiefang Road, Taiyuan, 030009, Shanxi Province, China

    Xiaofang Li

  3. Department of Bacteriology, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Chaoyang District, Yabao Road, Beijing, 100020, China

    Jinghua Cui

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  1. Jinrui Hu
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Hu, J., Li, X., Du, X. et al. Identification and Characterization of Cronobacter Strains Isolated from Environmental Samples. Curr Microbiol 76, 1467–1476 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00284-019-01776-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00284-019-01776-8

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