One Health Genomic Surveillance of Escherichia coliDemonstrates Distinct Lineages and Mobile Genetic Elements in Isolates from Humans versus Livestock

The increasing prevalence of E. colibloodstream infections is a serious public health problem. We used genomic epidemiology in a One Health study conducted in the East of England to examine putative sources of E. coliassociated with serious human disease. E. colifrom 1,517 patients with bloodstream infections were compared with 431 isolates from livestock farms and meat. Livestock-associated and bloodstream isolates were genetically distinct populations based on core genome and accessory genome analyses. Identical antimicrobial resistance genes were found in livestock and human isolates, but there was limited overlap in the mobile elements carrying these genes. Within the limitations of sampling, our findings do not support the idea that E. colicausing invasive disease or their resistance genes are commonly acquired from livestock in our region.