Coexistence of optrA and fexA in Campylobacter

Previous studies indicated that Campylobacter has developed several mechanisms that confer resistance to florfenicol, which is used in food animal production. This study describes the coexistence of optrA and fexA in Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli isolates from pigs and poultry. Moreover, whole-genome sequencing data showed that the two genes are located in various multidrug resistance genomic islands within different regions of the Campylobacter genomes. The emergence of optrA and fexA may support the spread of florfenicol-resistant Campylobacter strains of animal origin. IMPORTANCE Florfenicol is widely used for the treatment of respiratory infections and as a feed additive in food animal production. As a foodborne pathogen, Campylobacter is constantly exposed to florfenicol, and resistance to this antimicrobial agent has increased in recent years. Previous studies indicated that Campylobacter has developed several mechanisms that confer resistance to florfenicol. This study describes for the first time the coexistence of the florfenicol exporter FexA and the ribosomal protective protein OptrA in Campylobacter jejuni isolated from pigs. The two genes were located in various multidrug resistance genomic islands within different regions of the Campylobacter genomes. Although phenicols are not commonly used for the treatment of Campylobacter infections, the extensive use of florfenicol in food animals may play a role in the coselection of multidrug resistance genomic island (MDRGI)-carrying Campylobacter isolates which also exhibited resistance to critically important antimicrobial agents (macrolides, aminoglycosides, and tetracyclines) commonly used for the treatment of human campylobacteriosis.