Abstract
The study investigated the prevalence of potentially pathogenic and drug resistant Escherichia coli among drinking water sources in Jordan. A total of 109 confirmed E. coli isolates were analyzed. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was done using the Kirby Bauer disk diffusion method. Phenotypic identification of extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) and carbapenemase production was done using the double disk synergy test and the modified Hodge test, respectively. Isolates’ plasmid profiles were determined by gel electrophoresis. PCR was used for detection of virulence and resistance genes. Overall, 22.0% of the isolates were potentially intestinal pathogenic E. coli (IPEC); namely enteroaggregative E. coli (16.5%), enteropathogenic E. coli (2.8%), enteroinvasive E. coli (1.8%), and enterohemorrhagic E. coli (0.9%). A third of the isolates were multi-drug resistant. The highest rates of antimicrobials resistance were observed against ampicillin (93.6%) and sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (41.3%). All isolates were susceptible to imipenem, meropenem, doripenem and tigecycline. The prevalence of ESBL and carbapenemase producers was 54.1% and 2.8%, respectively. BlaVIM was the most prevalent resistance gene (68.8%), followed by blaCTX (50.5%), blaTEM (45.9%), blaNDM (11%), blaKPC (4.6%), and blaSHV (0.9%). Fifty-eight (53.2%) isolates contained one or more plasmid ranging from 1.0 to 8.0 kbp. Overall, high prevalence of potentially pathogenic and resistant isolates was observed.
Highlights
Diarrheal diseases are considered major infectious diseases leading to high rates of morbidity and mortality worldwide [1]
Diarrheagenic E. coli strains known as intestinal pathogenic E. coli (IPEC) have been grouped into six pathotypes: Enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC), enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC), enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC), enteroinvasive E. coli (EIEC), enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC), and Pathogens 2019, 8, 86; doi:10.3390/pathogens8020086
We identified the prevalence of potentially IPEC among drinking water sources in Jordan, antimicrobial susceptibility genotypes and phenotypes, and bacterial plasmid profiles
Summary
Diarrheal diseases are considered major infectious diseases leading to high rates of morbidity and mortality worldwide [1]. Diarrheal diseases occur more commonly in developing countries and among children, in which diarrhea is considered the second-most common cause (after pneumonia) of death under the age of five [2]. Most of the known E. coli strains are members of the gut normal flora. Some strains are considered true pathogens, capable of causing urinary tract infections, sepsis, meningitis, and enteric or diarrheal diseases [3]. E. coli is an etiologic agent of diarrhea in developing countries. It is responsible for major waterborne bacterial infections and is successfully transmitted through the direct intake of contaminated water or indirectly through food crops exposed to contaminated water sources [3]. Diarrheagenic E. coli strains known as intestinal pathogenic E. coli (IPEC) have been grouped into six pathotypes: Enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC), enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC), enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC), enteroinvasive E. coli (EIEC), enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC), and Pathogens 2019, 8, 86; doi:10.3390/pathogens8020086 www.mdpi.com/journal/pathogens
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