Third-Generation Cephalosporin-Resistant Enterobacterales and Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in Pigs in Rwanda

Title (eng)
Third-Generation Cephalosporin-Resistant Enterobacterales and Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in Pigs in Rwanda
Author
Emmanuel Irimaso
Author
Valens Hagenimana
Author
Emmanuel Nzabamwita
Author
Michael Blümlinger
Author
Otto W. Fischer
Author
Lukas Schwarz
Author
Michael P. Szostak
Author
Olga Makarova
Author
Adriana Cabal Rosel
Author
Werner Ruppitsch
Author
Elke Müller
Author
Andrea T. Feßler
Author
Sascha D. Braun
Author
Stefan Schwarz
Author
Stefan Monecke
Author
Ralf Ehricht
Author
Suzana Tkalcic
Author
Christophe Ntakirutimana
Author
Joachim Spergser
Author
Doris Verhovsek
Author
Igor Loncaric
Abstract (eng)
This pilot study investigated the presence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and third-generation cephalosporin-resistant (3GC-R) Enterobacterales in conventionally kept domestic pigs and their environment across four districts in Rwanda. A total of 114 swabs (nasal, rectal, manure, dust) from 29 farms were collected and processed to isolate resistant bacteria. Thirty-two 3GC-R Enterobacterales were detected. Escherichia coli predominantly harboring blaCTX-M group 1 β-lactamase genes, alongside Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates, all displaying extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) phenotypes. Four MRSA isolates, all belonging to clonal complex 398 and SCCmec type IV, the typical livestock MRSA, were recovered from nasal and environmental samples. Multidrug resistance was frequently observed. The co-occurrence of β-lactamase genes, non-β-lactam resistance genes, and virulence factors such as fimH and loci associated with extraintestinal pathogenic and enteropathogenic E. coli. The detection of both MRSA and 3GC-R Enterobacterales in the present study indicates pigs and their farm environments as reservoirs of WHO priority pathogens in Rwanda, highlighting a potential public health risk in the context of extensive human–animal–environment interaction. These findings emphasize the urgent need for integrated One Health surveillance and comprehensive AMR control strategies addressing both animal and environmental reservoirs to support Rwanda’s National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance.
Keywords (eng)
Staphylococcus AureusE. ColiKlebsiella PneumoniaeEnterobacteralesMRSAESBLPorcineOne Health ApproachAntimicrobial Resistance
Type (eng)
journal article
Language
[eng]
Persistent identifier
https://phaidra.vetmeduni.ac.at/o:5283
DOI
10.3390/ani16010122
Is in series
Title (eng)
Animals
Volume
16
ISSN
2076-2615
Issued
2026
Number of pages
12
Publication
MDPI
Version type (eng)
version of record (published version)
Date issued
2026
Access rights (eng)
open access
License
CC BY 4.0 International
Rights statement (eng)
© 2025 by the authors