Genomic epidemiology and plasmid characterization of antimicrobial resistance and virulence in cattle <i>Escherichia coli</i> from China.

ABSTRACT: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Escherichia coli from livestock poses a growing public health threat, yet genomic data on cattle-derived strains in China remain limited. This study investigated AMR, virulence, and plasmid profiles of E. coli from diarrheic cattle in four provinces: Anhui (AH), Ningxia (NX), Shandong, and Shanxi (SX). Ninety-one isolates were characterized using antimicrobial susceptibility testing and whole-genome sequencing. Resistance to ampicillin (49.5%), cefotaxime (37.4%), and tetracycline (36.3%) was common, with NX showing the highest resistance rate. Twenty-one multidrug-resistant strains were identified, mainly from NX and SX. Genomic analysis revealed 53 distinct antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), predominantly mdf(A), aph(6

SUBMITTER: Wang X-Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12772300 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature