Abstract:
Objective To analyze the pathogenic characteristics of Arcobacter based on diarrhea surveillance, and provide basic data for the prevention and control of diarrheal diseases caused by Arcobacter.
Methods Basic information, clinical data of the diarrhea cases were collected in adults in a district of Beijing during 2021−2023, and the stool samples taken from the diarrhea cases were used for Arcobacter isolation. The strains identification was performed using real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Antibiotic susceptibility test and whole-genome sequencing (WGS) were carried out for all the isolates. The average nucleotide identity (ANI) analysis, virulence genes identification and core genome single nucleotide polymorphism analysis were performed based on WGS sequence.
Results The detection rate of Arcobacter in the diarrhea cases from 2021 to 2023 was 0.80% (6/748) and two strains of Arcobacter were isolated in diarrhea surveillance in 2017, and all the isolates were identified as A. butzleri by real time PCR. In the 8 A. butzleri positive cases, 5 were positive other enteric pathogens. In the 8 A. butzleri strains, 7 were resistant to tetracycline, 6 were resistant to flufenicol, 6 were resistant to streptomycin, 5 were resistant to azithromycin and 5 were resistant to clindamycin. A total of 7 resistance spectrums were observed; and 6 strains were resistant to three or more classes of antibiotics. All the 8 strains identified by the ANI analysis based on the genome sequences were A. butzleri.
Conclusion A. butzleri was the predominant species of Arcobacter isolated from diarrhea cases in this district of Beijing during 2021−2023. Further investigation is needed to obtain more data for Arcobacter infection in human.