biostudies-literatureLopes RCentro de Estudos do Ambiente e do MarCoordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível SuperiorMCTI | Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e TecnológicoFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São PauloBill and Melinda Gates Foundatione01125-20https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC7883542biostudies-literatureUnknown6(1)The global spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and their resistance genes is a critical issue that is no longer restricted to hospital settings, but also represents a growing problem involving environmental and food safety. In this study, we have performed a microbiological and genomic investigation of critical priority pathogens resistant to broad-spectrum cephalosporins and showing endophytic lifestyles in fresh vegetables sold in a country with high endemicity of extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs). We report the isolation of international high-risk clones of CTX-M-15-producing Escherichia coli, belonging to clonal complexes CC38 and CC648, and Klebsiella pneumoniae of complex CC307 from macerated tissue of surface-sterilized leaves of spinach, cabbage, arugula, and lettuce. RegamSystemsEndophytic Lifestyle of Global Clones of Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase-Producing Priority Pathogens in Fresh Vegetables: a Trojan Horse Strategy Favoring Human Colonization?PMC78835421541491/2015-815/21325-0312249/2017-9UIDB/50017/2020443819/2018-1433128/2018-6OPP1193112UIDP/50017/20202016/08593-9Lopes RCerdeira LDantas KFuentes-Castillo DLincopan NHenriques IRodrigues LFontana HfalseEndophytic Lifestyle of Global Clones of Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase-Producing Priority Pathogens in Fresh Vegetables: a Trojan Horse Strategy Favoring Human Colonization?The global spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and their resistance genes is a critical issue that is no longer restricted to hospital settings, but also represents a growing problem involving environmental and food safety. In this study, we have performed a microbiological and genomic investigation of critical priority pathogens resistant to broad-spectrum cephalosporins and showing endophytic lifestyles in fresh vegetables sold in a country with high endemicity of extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs). We report the isolation of international high-risk clones of CTX-M-15-producing Escherichia coli, belonging to clonal complexes CC38 and CC648, and Klebsiella pneumoniae of complex CC307 from macerated tissue of surface-sterilized leaves of spinach, cabbage, arugula, and lettuce. Rega2021-01-01T00:00:00Z2021 Feb2025-05-29T21:45:18.428Z2022-02-11T12:37:59.485ZS-EPMC78835423356377910.1128/mSystems.01125-20