The Frequency of PAI, aer and traT Genes in Escherichia coli Commensal and Urinary Pathogenic E. coli Isolates in Shahrekord and the Relationship Between the Two Groups by Multiplex PCR

Background: Nosocomial infections are acquired during hospital treatment or in a hospital environment. One such infecting agent is uropathogenic Escherichia coli and many virulence genes enable it to become pathogenic, thereby causing damage to the host. Objectives: This study aimed to identify aer, traT, and PAI genes in E. coli isolates collected from fecal and urinary tract infection (UTI) specimens and determine the relationship between them in both populations studied in a center in Iran by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. Methods: Seventy-five isolates of E. coli from the urine of inpatients and 75 isolates from commensal fecal without UTI and diarrhea were collected. The E. coli bacteria were detected and isolated, using biochemical techniques and supplementary tests in the Microbiology Laboratory of Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences. Antibiotic susceptibility pattern for 14 antibiotics was done utilizing the disc diffusion method. The existence of aer, traT, and PAI virulence genes among all isolates was investigated by multiplex PCR. Results: Among the urinary pathogenic E. coli isolates, the highest antibiotic resistance was observed in cefazolin, ampicillin, and cotrimoxazole antibiotics. The prevalence rates of aer, traT, and PAI genes in the fecal isolates were 92%, 90.6%, and 46.6%, respectively. Further, their prevalence rates in urine isolates were 96%, 97.3%, and 41.3%, in that order. Conclusions: The presence of the high frequency of pathogenic islands (PAIs), especially in fecal samples, is important because these genes are easily transmitted and convert a commensal bacterium into a pathogen. Because only the genome of pathogenic bacteria has been unwrapped, little attention has been paid to PAIs in commensal bacteria.

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Absence of Escherichia coli Phylogenetic Group B2 Strains in Humans and Domesticated Animals from Jeonnam Province, Republic of Korea

Applied and Environmental Microbiology ◽

10.1128/aem.00443-09 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 75 (17) ◽

pp. 5659-5666 ◽

Cited By ~ 33

Author(s):

Tatsuya Unno ◽

Dukki Han ◽

Jeonghwan Jang ◽

Sun-Nim Lee ◽

GwangPyo Ko ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Escherichia Coli ◽

South Korea ◽

Beef Cattle ◽

Multiplex Pcr ◽

Virulence Genes ◽

Phylogenetic Group ◽

Phylogenetic Groups ◽

Domesticated Animals ◽

E Coli ◽

The Relationship

ABSTRACT Multiplex PCR analyses of DNAs from genotypically unique Escherichia coli strains isolated from the feces of 138 humans and 376 domesticated animals from Jeonnam Province, South Korea, performed using primers specific for the chuA and yjaA genes and an unknown DNA fragment, TSPE4.C2, indicated that none of the strains belonged to E. coli phylogenetic group B2. In contrast, phylogenetic group B2 strains were detected in about 17% (8 of 48) of isolates from feces of 24 wild geese and in 3% (3 of 96) of isolates obtained from the Yeongsan River in Jeonnam Province, South Korea. The distribution of E. coli strains in phylogenetic groups A, B1, and D varied depending on the host examined, and there was no apparent seasonal variation in the distribution of strains in phylogenetic groups among the Yeongsan River isolates. The distribution of four virulence genes (eaeA, hlyA, stx 1, and stx 2) in isolates was also examined by using multiplex PCR. Virulence genes were detected in about 5% (38 of 707) of the total group of unique strains examined, with 24, 13, 13, and 9 strains containing hlyA, eaeA, stx 2, and stx 1, respectively. The virulence genes were most frequently present in phylogenetic group B1 strains isolated from beef cattle. Taken together, results of these studies indicate that E. coli strains in phylogenetic group B2 were rarely found in humans and domesticated animals in Jeonnam Province, South Korea, and that the majority of strains containing virulence genes belonged to phylogenetic group B1 and were isolated from beef cattle. Results of this study also suggest that the relationship between the presence and types of virulence genes and phylogenetic groupings may differ among geographically distinct E. coli populations.

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Molecular characterisation of antimicrobial resistance and virulence genes in Escherichia coli strains isolated from diarrhoeic and healthy rabbits in Tunisia

World Rabbit Science ◽

10.4995/wrs.2020.10879 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 28 (2) ◽

pp. 81

Author(s):

Raouia Ben Rhouma ◽

Ahlem Jouini ◽

Amira Klibi ◽

Safa Hamrouni ◽

Aziza Boubaker ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Escherichia Coli ◽

Antimicrobial Resistance ◽

Virulence Genes ◽

Antimicrobial Agents ◽

Antibiotic Resistance Genes ◽

Virulence Gene ◽

Diffusion Method ◽

Class 1 Integron ◽

E Coli ◽

Class 1

The purpose of this study was to identify Escherichia coli isolates in diarrhoeic and healthy rabbits in Tunisia and characterise their virulence and antibiotic resistance genes. In the 2014-2015 period, 60 faecal samples from diarrhoeic and healthy rabbits were collected from different breeding farms in Tunisia. Susceptibility to 14 antimicrobial agents was tested by disc diffusion method and the mechanisms of gene resistance were evaluated using polymerase chain reaction and sequencing methods. Forty E. coli isolates were recovered in selective media. High frequency of resistance to tetracycline (95%) was detected, followed by different levels of resistance to sulphonamide (72.5%), streptomycin (62.5%), trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (60%), nalidixic acid (32.5%), ampicillin (37.5%) and ticarcillin (35%). E. coli strains were susceptible to cefotaxime, ceftazidime and imipenem. Different variants of blaTEM, tet, sul genes were detected in most of the strains resistant to ampicillin, tetracycline and sulphonamide, respectively. The presence of class 1 integron was studied in 29 sulphonamide-resistant E. coli strains from which 15 harboured class 1 integron with four different arrangements of gene cassettes, dfrA17+aadA5 (n=9), dfrA1 + aadA1 (n=4), dfrA12 + addA2 (n=1), dfrA12+orf+addA2 (n=1). The qnrB gene was detected in six strains out of 13 quinolone-resistant E. coli strains. Seventeen E. coli isolates from diarrhoeic rabbits harboured the enteropathogenic eae genes associated with different virulence genes tested (fimA, cnf1, aer), and affiliated to B2 (n=8) and D (n=9) phylogroups. Isolated E. coli strains from healthy rabbit were harbouring fim A and/or cnf1 genes and affiliated to A and B1 phylogroups. This study showed that E. coli strains from the intestinal tract of rabbits are resistant to the widely prescribed antibiotics in medicine. Therefore, they constitute a reservoir of antimicrobial-resistant genes, which may play a significant role in the spread of antimicrobial resistance. In addition, the eae virulence gene seemed to be implicated in diarrhoea in breeder rabbits in Tunisia.

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Detection of virulence genes and antimicrobial resistance profiles of Escherichia coli isolates from raw milk and artisanal cheese in Southern Brazil

Semina Ciências Agrárias ◽

10.5433/1679-0359.2019v40n1p163 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 40 (1) ◽

pp. 163 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Leandro Parussolo ◽

Ricardo Antônio Pilegi Sfaciotte ◽

Karine Andrezza Dalmina ◽

Fernanda Danielle Melo ◽

Ubirajara Maciel Costa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Escherichia Coli ◽

Antimicrobial Susceptibility ◽

Virulence Genes ◽

Antimicrobial Agents ◽

Raw Milk ◽

Diffusion Method ◽

Public Health Issue ◽

Southern Brazil ◽

E Coli

The serrano artisanal cheese is a typical product from South region of Brazil, which is produced by skilled cheesemakers using raw milk. The contamination of this food by Escherichia coli has a great impact on public health, since it could threat the consumers’ health. The study evaluated the presence of virulence genes, antimicrobial susceptibility profiles and bofilm-production ability of Escherichia coli isolates obtained from raw milk and artisanal cheese produced in Southern Brazil. A total of 117 isolates of E. coli were characterized by multiplex PCR to detect the following virulence genes: eae for enteropatogenic E. coli (EPEC), lt and st for enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC), stx for shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), stx and eae for enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC), ipaH for enteroinvasive E. coli (EIEC) and aggR for enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC). In addition, antimicrobial susceptibility profile to 22 antimicrobial agents was also performed by disk diffusion method, and we searched for extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL) and/or carbapenemase- producing isolates. Isolates that were positive for ESBL and carbapenemase were further investigated for the presence of the genes: blaTEM, blaSHV, blaOXA, blaCTX-M, for ESBL and blaOXA-48 for carbapenemase. Further, isolates had their ability to form biofilms investigated by the red Congo agar method. Virulence genes of E. coli were identified in 21.37% of the tested isolates, which were classified as EPEC (the most prevalent pathotype) and ETEC or EAEC. Ten (8.55%) of the total studied E. coli isolates revealed a multidrug-resistant profile, since they were resistant to three or more antimicrobial classes; whereas four isolates (3.42%) were classified as ESBL-producers and showed the presence of blaTEM gene. None of the isolates exhibited carbapenemase activity nor did they carry carbapenemase genes. From the total of E. coli isolates, 79 (67.52%) were considered potential biofilm producers. These results address a serious public health issue, since artisanal cheeses pose a risk to consumers’ health, since may be sources of dissemination of diarrheogenic E. coli, that can cause from subclinical to severe and fatal infections in children and adults, and also emphasize the need to improve adaptations/adjustments in the manufacturing processes of these products.

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Antibiotic resistance and virulence genes of extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli from tropical estuary, south India

The Journal of Infection in Developing Countries ◽

10.3855/jidc.5627 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 9 (05) ◽

pp. 496-504 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Divya Sukumaran ◽

Abdulla A Mohamed Hatha

Keyword(s):

Escherichia Coli ◽

Antibiotic Resistance ◽

Multidrug Resistance ◽

Virulence Factor ◽

Virulence Genes ◽

Antimicrobial Agents ◽

Diffusion Method ◽

Disk Diffusion Method ◽

E Coli ◽

Virulence Factor Genes

Introduction: Escherichia coli strains can cause a variety of intestinal and extraintestinal diseases. Extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC) strains have the ability to cause severe extraintestinal infections. Multidrug resistance among ExPEC could complicate human infections. Methodology: Escherichia coli strains were isolated during the period of January 2010 to December 2012 from five different stations set at Cochin estuary. Susceptibility testing was determined by the disk-diffusion method using nine different antimicrobial agents. A total of 155 strains of Escherichia coli were screened for the presence of virulence factor genes including papAH, papC, sfa/focDE, iutA,and kpsMT II associated with ExPEC. Results: Among the 155 E. coli isolates, 26 (16.77%), carried two or more virulence genes typical of ExPEC. Furthermore, 19.23% of the ExPEC isolates with multidrug resistance were identified to belong to phylogenetic groups B2 and D. Statistically significant association of iutA gene in ExPEC was found with papC (p < 0.001) and kpsMT II (p < 0.001) genes. ExPEC isolates were mainly resistant to ampicillin (23.07%), tetracycline (19.23%), co-trimoxazole (15.38%), and cefotaxime (15.38%). The adhesion genes papAH and sfa/focDE were positively associated with resistance to gentamicin, chloramphenicol, and cefotaxime (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Co-occurrence of virulence factor genes with antibiotic resistance among ExPEC poses considerable threat to those who use this aquatic system for a living and for recreation.

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Detection of virulence genes, phylogenetic group and antibiotic resistance of uropathogenic Escherichia coli in Mongolia

The Journal of Infection in Developing Countries ◽

10.3855/jidc.7903 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 11 (01) ◽

pp. 51-57 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Yandag Munkhdelger ◽

Nyamaa Gunregjav ◽

Altantsetseg Dorjpurev ◽

Nishi Juniichiro ◽

Jav Sarantuya

Keyword(s):

Escherichia Coli ◽

Antibiotic Resistance ◽

Virulence Genes ◽

Wide Spectrum ◽

Iron Acquisition ◽

Uropathogenic Escherichia Coli ◽

Phylogenetic Group ◽

Diffusion Method ◽

Phylogenetic Groups ◽

E Coli

Introduction: The severity of urinary tract infection (UTI) produced by uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) is due to the expression of a wide spectrum of virulence genes. E. coli strains were divided into four phylogenetic groups (A, B1, B2 and D) based on their virulence genes. The present study aimed to assess the relationship between virulence genes, phylogenetic groups, and antibiotic resistance of UPEC. Methodology: A total of 148 E. coli were tested for antimicrobial resistance against 10 drugs using the disk diffusion method. The isolates were screened by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for detection of virulence genes and categorized into the four major phylogenetic groups. Results: Phylogenetic group B2 was predominant (33.8%), followed by D (28.4%), A (19.6), and B1 (18.2%). A higher prevalence of fimH (89.9%), fyuA (70.3%), traT (66.2%), iutA (62.2%), kpsMTII (58.8%), and aer (56.1%) genes were found in UPEC, indicating a putative role of adhesins, iron acquisition systems, and protectins that are main cause of UTIs. The most common antibiotic resistance was to cephalotin (85.1%), ampicillin (78.4%) and the least to nitrofurantoin (5.4%) and imipenem (2%). In total, 93.9% of isolates were multidrug resistant (MDR). Conclusions: This study showed that group B2 and D were the predominant phylogenetic groups and virulence-associated genes were mostly distributed in these groups. The virulence genes encoding components of adhesins, iron acquisition systems, and protectins were highly prevalent among antibiotic-resistant UPEC. Although the majority of strains are MDR, nitrofurantoin is the drug of choice for treatment of UTI patients in Ulaanbaatar.

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Antibacterial Activity of Liverworts of Dumortiera hirsute (Sw.) Nees Ethyl Acetate Extract Against Pathogenic Bacteria

BERKALA SAINSTEK ◽

10.19184/bst.v9i2.22645 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (2) ◽

pp. 75

Author(s):

Luthfiah Luthfiah ◽

Dwi Setyati ◽

Sattya Arimurti

Keyword(s):

Escherichia Coli ◽

Antibacterial Activity ◽

Ethyl Acetate ◽

Pathogenic Bacteria ◽

Ethyl Acetate Extract ◽

Antibacterial Properties ◽

Salmonella Typhi ◽

Diffusion Method ◽

E Coli ◽

Agar Well Diffusion Method

Dumortiera hirsuta is one of the liverworts that can be used as a medicinal to prevent infection by pathogenic bacteria. The content of secondary metabolites of D. hirsuta has potential as antibacterial properties includes flavonoids, alkaloids and steroids. This research is to analyze the antibacterial activity of moss D. hirsuta against pathogenic bacteria that will be beneficial to humans. Liverworts of D. hirsuta were extracted using ethyl acetate solvent and tested against three types of pathogenic bacteria using the agar well-diffusion method. The results of this study indicated that the ethyl acetate extract of D. hirsuta at 100% concentration could inhibit the growth of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Salmonella typhi bacteria. The range of antibacterial activity categories of the ethyl acetate extract of D. hirsuta to E. coli, S. aureus, and S. typhi between weak to moderate.

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Emergence and spread of two distinct clonal groups of multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli in a veterinary teaching hospital in Australia

Journal of Medical Microbiology ◽

10.1099/jmm.0.46598-0 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 55 (8) ◽

pp. 1125-1134 ◽

Cited By ~ 30

Author(s):

Hanna E. Sidjabat ◽

Kirsty M. Townsend ◽

Michael Lorentzen ◽

Kari S. Gobius ◽

Narelle Fegan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Escherichia Coli ◽

Multiplex Pcr ◽

Teaching Hospital ◽

Opportunistic Infections ◽

Multidrug Resistant ◽

Hospital Environment ◽

Class 1 Integron ◽

E Coli ◽

Extraintestinal Infection ◽

Rectal Swabs

Multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli (MDREC) expressing AmpC β-lactamases have emerged as a cause of opportunistic infections in dogs. Following a cluster of extraintestinal infections caused by two distinct clonal groups (CGs) of bla CMY-producing MDREC, a 12-month infection control study was undertaken at a veterinary teaching hospital in Brisbane, Australia. Swabs from the rectum of hospitalized dogs (n=780), hospital staff (n=16) and the hospital environment (n=220) were plated onto selective agar to obtain multidrug-resistant (MDR) coliforms. These were then tested by multiplex PCR for E. coli uspA, bla CMY and the class 1 integron-associated dfrA17-aadA5 gene cassette for rapid identification of MDREC CG 1 (positive for all three genes) and CG 2 (positive for uspA and bla CMY only). A total of 16.5 % of the dog rectal swabs and 4.1 % of the hospital environmental swabs yielded MDREC, and on the basis of multiplex PCR, PFGE and plasmid profiling, these were confirmed to belong to either CG 1 or CG 2. Both CG 1 and CG 2 isolates were obtained from clinical cases of extraintestinal infection and rectal swabs from hospitalized dogs over the same period of time, whereas only CG 1 isolates were obtained from the hospital environment. Both CGs were prevalent during the first 6 months, but only CG 2 was isolated during the second 6 months of the study. Two isolates obtained from rectal swabs of staff working in the hospital belonged to CG 2, with one of the isolates possessing the same REDP as nine isolates from dogs, including six isolates associated with cases of extraintestinal infection. CG 1 isolates belonged to E. coli serotypes O162 : H−, OR : H− or Ont : H−, whereas CG 2 isolates belonged to O153 : HR, OR : HR or OR : H34. These results confirm that in this particular outbreak, canine MDREC were highly clonal and CG 2 MDREC may colonize both humans and dogs.

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Fecal carriage of extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae in hospital and community settings in Chad

Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control ◽

10.1186/s13756-019-0626-z ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Oumar Ouchar Mahamat ◽

Abdelsalam Tidjani ◽

Manon Lounnas ◽

Mallorie Hide ◽

Julio Benavides ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Escherichia Coli ◽

Pathogenic Bacteria ◽

Hospitalized Patients ◽

Diffusion Method ◽

Community Settings ◽

Carriage Rate ◽

Disk Diffusion Method ◽

E Coli ◽

Fecal Carriage ◽

Extended Spectrum

Abstract Background Fecal carriage of extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-PE) remains poorly documented in Africa. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of ESBL-PE fecal carriage in Chad. Methods In total, 200 fresh stool samples were collected from 100 healthy community volunteers and 100 hospitalized patients from January to March 2017. After screening using ESBL-selective agar plates and species identification by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, antibiotic susceptibility was tested using the disk diffusion method, and ESBL production confirmed with the double-disc synergy test. The different ESBL genes in potential ESBL-producing isolates were detected by PCR and double stranded DNA sequencing. Escherichia coli phylogenetic groups were determined using a PCR-based method. Results ESBL-PE fecal carriage prevalence was 44.5% (51% among hospitalized patients vs 38% among healthy volunteers; p < 0.05). ESBL-producing isolates were mostly Escherichia coli (64/89) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (16/89). PCR and sequencing showed that 98.8% (87/89) of ESBL-PE harbored blaCTX-M genes: blaCTX-M-15 in 94.25% (82/87) and blaCTX-M-14 in 5.75% (5/87). Phylogroup determination by quadruplex PCR indicated that ESBL-producing E. coli isolates belonged to group A (n = 17; 27%), C (n = 17; 27%), B2 (n = 9; 14%), B1 (n = 8; 13%), D (n = 8; 13%), E (n = 1; 1.6%), and F (n = 1; 1.6%). The ST131 clone was identified in 100% (9/9) of E. coli B2 strains. Conclusions The high fecal carriage rate of ESBL-PE associated with CTX-M-15 in hospital and community settings of Chad highlights the risk for resistance transmission between non-pathogenic and pathogenic bacteria.

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Pathogenic features of urinary Escherichia coli strains causing Asymptomatic Bacteriuria during Pregnancy

10.21203/rs.2.22234/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Samane Mohebi ◽

zahra Hashemizade ◽

Mahtab Hadadi ◽

Soudeh Kholdi ◽

Kasra Javadi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Escherichia Coli ◽

Virulence Genes ◽

Asymptomatic Bacteriuria ◽

Urine Samples ◽

Diffusion Method ◽

Low Birth Weight Infants ◽

Phylogenetic Groups ◽

Disk Diffusion Method ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

E Coli

Abstract Background Asymptomatic bacteriuria is one of the common problems in pregnancy. Pyelonephritis, preterm labor and low birth weight infants have been associated with bacterial infection. Urinary tract infection (UTI) during pregnancy is frequently associated with complications. An observational cross-sectional study including investigated the prevalence of virulence genes, antimicrobial resistance, and its relationship with phylogenetic groups among E. coli strains isolated from pregnant women with asymptomatic bacteriuria who referred to Hafez hospital, Shiraz, Iran.Material and Methods A total of 300 urine samples were screened for Escherichia coli strains. Susceptibility testing was determined by the disk-diffusion method. The phylogenetic groups and 13 virulence genes were identified by PCR. ESBL and AmpC producing isolates were detected using phenotypic methods. PCR was used to identify the bla TEM , bla SHV and bla CTXM genes in ESBL and AmpC-positive isolates.Results Our results revealed that among 300 urine samples, 105 (35%) were positive for E. coli . The data showed that the highest and the lowest resistance rates were observed against nalidixic acid (82.1%), and imipenem (2.8%), respectively. The prevalence of ESBLs and AmpC-β-lactamase, in the E. coli isolates was 41% and 9.5% respectively. bla CTXM was the commonest genotype (93%). Phylogenetic group distribution was as follow: B1 2.8%, A 14.2%, B2 61.9%, and D 4.6%. Our result showed that most of the virulence genes belonged to group B2 and also several virulence genes such as hlyA , cnf-1 , and papGII genes were positively associated with group B2. Conclusion Among E. coli strains isolated from patients with UTIs, different features phylogroups, with special virulence factors, could cause severe infection. Awareness about the Virulence patterns distribution among Phylogenetic groups of UPEC could greatly aid in confine and prevent the development of lethal infection caused by these strains.

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IDENTIFICATION OF THE AVIAN PATHOTYPE OF ESCHERICHIA COLI ON LAYER FLOCKS BY MULTIPLEX PCR

CBU International Conference Proceedings ◽

10.12955/cbup.v7.1473 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 7 ◽

pp. 905-911

Author(s):

Marilena Burtan ◽

Virgilia Popa ◽

Maria Rodica Gurau ◽

Doina Danes

Keyword(s):

Escherichia Coli ◽

Multiplex Pcr ◽

Virulence Genes ◽

Virulence Gene ◽

Economic Losses ◽

Ompa Gene ◽

Avian Pathogenic Escherichia Coli ◽

E Coli ◽

Pathogenic Escherichia Coli

Introduction: Colibacillosis in poultry is determined by avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) and represents an important source of economic losses in the poultry industry. APEC’s pathogenicity relies on the presence and expression of different virulence factors. The genes ompA , iss and fimH, encoding the outer membrane protein, the protein inducing resistance to complement and the synthesis of type 1 fimbria are present in APEC strains. Objective: Escherichia coli strains isolated from layers were analysed to assess the pathotype they belong to. Methods: In order to detect the three genes associated with APEC strains, 16 E. coli isolates were investigated for virulence associated genes ompA, iss and fimH, using multiplex PCR. Results: From the 16 E.coli strains submitted, multiplex PCR assessment revealed that 14 (87.5%) of the E. coli strains isolated contained at least one virulence gene, while 2 (12.5%) strains did not harbour any of the virulence genes tested. The fimH gene was noted in 13 (81.25%) of the strains tested, the ompA gene has been present in 12 (75%) strains and the iss gene was present in 9 (56.25%) strains. Eight (50%) strains were found to present all three investigated genes. Conclusion: Presence of these genes is a strong indicatory to consider those strains as belonging to the APEC pathotype.

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