Edible river fish-derived extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacterales harboring transferable plasmids encoding , , and .

Transmission of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) genes has increased the global prevalence of ESBL-producing bacteria, especially in developing countries. Human infection with these bacteria may be food-mediated but has not been fully elucidated. Therefore, we aimed to examine ESBL-producing bacteria in edible river fish and elucidate their potential for horizontal gene transfer. A total of 173 ESBL-producing Enterobacterales were isolated ( [ = 87], [ = 52], complex [ = 18], complex [ = 14], [n = 1] and [n = 1]) from 56 of 80 fish intestinal contents sampled. Among the bacterial genotypes, was the most predominant, followed by , , and . Furthermore, we found that ESBL-producing Enterobacterales were able to transfer their genes to . In summary, our results suggest that ESBL-producing Enterobacterales transfer to indigenous gut in humans, following the consumption of contaminated fish.