Comparisons of CTX-M-Producing Escherichia coli Isolates from Humans and Animals in South Korea

To investigate the possibility of transmission of CTX-M-producing Escherichia coli isolates among humans and animals, we compared CTX-M-producing E. coli isolates showing the same genotype from humans and dogs in Korea. Sixteen CTX-M-producing E. coli isolates from animals were selected and their genotypes were identified using MLST. Among clinical CTX-M-producing E. coli isolates from humans, which have been identified in previous studies, 12 isolates showing the same STs with those of E. coli isolates from animals were selected. For these 28 CTX-M-producing E. coli isolates, identification of blaCTX-M genes and their genetic environments, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, extended MLST, and PFGE were performed. Some CTX-M-producing E. coli isolates from humans showed the same genotypes, such as ST10, ST38, ST58, and ST95, but different CTX-M enzymes and PFGE patterns. Thus, it can be concluded that dissemination of ESBL-producing E. coli isolates between humans and animals is rare so far.