Genomic and Functional Characterization of Poultry From India Revealed Diverse Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase-Producing Lineages With Shared Virulence Profiles.

Extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) form the most important resistance determinants prevalent worldwide. Data on ESBL-producing from poultry and livestock are scarce in India. We present data on the functional and genomic characterization of ESBL-producing obtained from poultry in India. The whole genome sequences of 28 ESBL-producing were analyzed comprising of 12 broiler chicken isolates, 11 free-range chicken isolates, and 5 human extraintestinal pathogenic . All of the 28 ESBL-producing isolates were tested for antibiotic susceptibilities, conjugation, and virulence-associated phenotypic characteristics. A total of 13 sequence types were identified from the poultry , which included globally successful sequence types such as ST117 (9%), ST131 (4.3%), and ST10 (4.3%). The most common ESBL gene detected in poultry genomes was (17%). Also, FIB (73%) and FII (73%) were the most common plasmid replicons identified. Conjugation experiments demonstrated 54 (7/13), 30 (3/10), and 40% (2/5) of broiler, free-range, and human ExPEC to be able to transfer their ESBL genes, respectively. The virulence-associated phenotypic tests revealed the broiler, free-range, and human ExPEC isolates to be comparable in biofilm formation, resistance to serum bactericidal activity, adherence, and invasion capabilities. Our overall results showed prevalence of virulence phenotypes among the diverse ESBL-producing from poultry; while certain clones from broiler-poultry may indeed have the potential to cause infection in humans.