Antimicrobial resistance and genomic characterization of Escherichia coli isolated from mink in northern China

Key Points

• Antimicrobial resistance was identified in Escherichia coli from mink samples, indicating significant pathogen transmission risks.
• Key findings include the presence of resistance genes across multiple strains and specific pathogenicity islands.
• Genomic characterization revealed diverse plasmids that could facilitate gene transfer among bacteria.
• The implications call for enhanced monitoring of antimicrobial resistance in wildlife populations to protect public health.