LAUSR

OBJECTIVE The study aimed to identify the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) determinants and virulence factors in Salmonella spp. and Escherichia coli recovered from different anthropogenic areas in North Carolina. METHODS Soil samples were collected from different anthropogenic areas: urban and natural. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined by using the broth microdilution method. Whole genome sequencing and analysis were done to identify the AMR determinants and virulence factors. RESULTS A higher prevalence of Salmonella spp. and E. coli was detected in the urban environment. The Salmonella spp. isolates showed resistance to Sulfisoxazole and Streptomycin, while E. coli was resistant to Sulfisoxazole, Cefoxitin, and Ampicillin. Salmonella serotypes Schwarzengrund and Mississippi were identified based on WGS analysis. Aminoglycoside resistance genes and IncFIB and IncFIC(FII) plasmids were detected among Salmonella spp. In general, E. coli was predominated by isolates from phylogroup B1, B2, and D. Multidrug transporter mdfA gene was detected in majority of the E. coli from both the urban (100%) and natural (84.5%) environment. FosA7 gene was detected in an isolate from a residential yard. The pCoo and pB171 plasmids were detected in urban, while col(156) and pHN7A8 plasmids were detected in natural environments. CONCLUSION The detection of AMR determinants and virulence factors in these bacteria is significant in understanding the occurrence and even the development of AMR. The presence of these determinants in different anthropogenic areas suggests the need to conduct longitudinal studies for comparing the profile of pathogens across different environments.