First Report of aac(6′)-Ib and aac(6′)-Ib-cr Variant Genes Associated with Mutations in gyrA Encoded Fluoroquinolone Resistance in Avian Campylobacter coli Strains Collected in Tunisia

The aac(6 ')-Ib gene is the most widespread gene encoding aminoglycoside-modifying enzyme and conferring resistance to tobramycin, streptomycin and kanamycin. The variant aac(6 ')-Ib-cr gene confers resistance to both aminoglycosides and fluoroquinolones (FQ). A total of 132 Campylobacter isolates, including 91 C. jejuni and 41 C. coli, were selected from broiler hens isolates. The aac(6 ')-Ib gene was amplified using PCR and was subsequently digested with the BtsCI restriction enzyme to identify aac(6 ')-Ib-cr. Among these isolates, 31 out of 41 C. coli (75.6%) and 1 (0.98%) C. jejuni were positive for the aac(6 ')-Ib gene, which was identified as the aac(6 ')-Ib-cr variant in 10 (32.25%) C. coli isolates. This variant was correlated with mutations in gyrA (Thr-86-Ile), as well as resistance to FQs. This study is the first report in Tunisia on Campylobacter coli strains harboring both the aac(6 ')-Ib and aac(6 ')-Ib-cr variants. These genes were present in Campylobacter isolates exhibiting resistance to multiple antibiotics, which restricts the range of available treatments.

Automated summary

This study reports the first identification of Campylobacter coli strains harboring both aac(6 ')-Ib and aac(6 ')-Ib-cr variants in Tunisia. These genes are present in isolates exhibiting resistance to multiple antibiotics.