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STEC in the natural environment of Uruguay: genomic surveillance and environmental circulation in the framework of One Health

Y. Figueroa,C. Stoletniy,V. Michelacci,D. Montero,J. Silvera,G. M. D. L. Escalera,F. Bertoglio,C. Croci,F. Lepillanca,H. Coitiño,P. Zunino,R. M. Vidal,S. Morabito,C. Piccini,A. Umpiérrez,Valenzano Bari Italy Aldo Moro

Published 2025 in Microbiology spectrum

ABSTRACT

ABSTRACT Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) are zoonotic pathogens with significant public health implications. The interplay between humans, domestic animals, wildlife, and environmental reservoirs such as water bodies influences their circulation. This study aimed to evaluate the role of the environment in the dissemination of STEC. Fourteen STEC isolates were recovered from stream water and feces of wild animals collected between 2022 and 2024 in a tourist and wild village-like region in Uruguay. All isolates carried the stx2 gene, and one also harbored stx1 and eae (E. coli O157:H7). The remaining isolates were LEE-negative. Most isolates were susceptible to tested antibiotics. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) revealed a wide diversity of serotypes, sequence types, and virulence gene profiles. Pangenome analysis revealed genomic variability among the analyzed isolates, suggesting the presence of adaptive mechanisms and potential ecological plasticity. The Locus of Adhesion and Autoaggregation (LAA), a pathogenicity island described in some LEE-negative strains, was detected complete in three isolates and partially in three others. Core genome SNP-based phylogenetics and cgMLST analysis (chewBBACA) indicated that the local isolates clustered with strains previously reported from food, livestock, and wildlife across the Americas and Europe, suggesting genetic relatedness. These findings underscore the STEC’s environmental diversity and potential public health risk of STEC circulating in a One Health context. The seasonal detection of the isolates, genomic features, and phylogenetic relationships suggests ongoing interactions between human activity, wildlife, and water sources as key factors in STEC ecology. IMPORTANCE Understanding the presence of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) in the environment is essential to assess potential exposure pathways for animals and humans. In this study, we analyzed STEC isolates recovered from wildlife and environmental samples within a single watershed under a One Health framework. Comparative genomic analyses revealed considerable diversity and the presence of shared virulence determinants, including the Locus of Adhesion and Autoaggregation (LAA) pathogenicity island. The detection of related lineages across ecological compartments may suggest possible exchange between environmental and animal reservoirs. These findings provide novel evidence of the environmental presence and dissemination of STEC in this watershed and highlight the importance of integrating genomic surveillance across environmental, animal, and human sectors to better understand the ecological dynamics and public health implications of this pathogen. Understanding the presence of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) in the environment is essential to assess potential exposure pathways for animals and humans. In this study, we analyzed STEC isolates recovered from wildlife and environmental samples within a single watershed under a One Health framework. Comparative genomic analyses revealed considerable diversity and the presence of shared virulence determinants, including the Locus of Adhesion and Autoaggregation (LAA) pathogenicity island. The detection of related lineages across ecological compartments may suggest possible exchange between environmental and animal reservoirs. These findings provide novel evidence of the environmental presence and dissemination of STEC in this watershed and highlight the importance of integrating genomic surveillance across environmental, animal, and human sectors to better understand the ecological dynamics and public health implications of this pathogen.

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