Extensive Genetic Commonality among Wildlife, Wastewater, Community, and Nosocomial Isolates of Escherichia coli Sequence Type 131 ( <i>H</i> 30R1 and <i>H</i> 30Rx Subclones) That Carry <i>bla</i> _CTX-M-27 or <i>bla</i> _CTX-M-15

Abstract

Escherichia coli sequence type 131 (ST131) is currently one of the leading causes of multidrug-resistant extraintestinal infections globally. Here, we analyzed the phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of 169 ST131 isolates from various sources (wildlife, wastewater, companion animals, community, and hospitals) to determine whether wildlife and the environment share similar strains with humans, supporting transmission of ST131 between different ecological niches.