Abstract
Escherichia coli is a multifaceted microbe since some are commensals, normally inhabiting the gut of both humans and animals while others are pathogenic responsible for a wide range of intestinal and extra-intestinal infections. It is one of the leading causes of septicemia, neonatal meningitis, urinary tract infections (UTIs), cystitis, pyelonephritis, and traveler’s diarrhea. The present study aims to survey the distribution and unravel the association of phylotypes, virulence determinants, and antimicrobial resistance of E. coli isolated from different clinical sources in Mansoura hospitals, Egypt. One hundred and fifty E. coli isolates were collected from different clinical sources. Antimicrobial resistance profile, virulence determinants, and virulence encoding genes were detected. Moreover, phylogenetic and molecular typing using ERIC-PCR analysis was performed. Our results have revealed that phylogroup B2 (26.67%) with the greatest content in virulence traits was the most prevalent phylogenetic group. Different virulence profiles and varying incidence of virulence determinants were detected among tested isolates. High rates of resistance to different categories of antimicrobial agents, dramatic increase of MDR (92.67%), and emergence of XDR (4%) were detected. ERIC-PCR analysis revealed great diversity among tested isolates. There was no clustering of isolates according to resistance, virulence patterns, or phylotypes. Our research has demonstrated significant phylogenetic diversity of E. coli isolated from different clinical sources in Mansoura hospitals, Dakahlia governorate, Egypt. E. coli isolates are equipped with various virulence factors which contribute to their pathogenesis in human. The elevated rates of antimicrobial resistance and emergence of MDR and XDR mirror the trend detected globally in recent years.Key points• Clinical E. coli isolates exhibited substantial molecular and phylogenetic diversity.• Elevated rates of antimicrobial resistance and emergence of XDR in pathogenic E. coli.• B2 Phylogroup with the highest VS was the most prevalent among pathogenic E. coli.
Highlights
Escherichia coli is a ubiquitous organism having a remarkable adaptive competence in distinct ecological habitats
One hundred and fifty non-duplicate isolates were identified as E. coli based on microscopic examination and standard laboratory protocols including indole, methyl red (MR), Voges-Proskauer (VP), citrate utilization, and green metallic sheen on eosin methylene blue medium
E. coli isolates were recovered from different clinical sources including urine (n = 69), wounds (n = 40), blood (n = 6), stool (n = 18), urinary bladder drain (n = 9), sputum (n = 5), throat swab (n = 2), and vaginal smear (n = 1) (Table S1)
Summary
Escherichia coli is a ubiquitous organism having a remarkable adaptive competence in distinct ecological habitats. It is a commensal resident of the gastrointestinal tracts of several animal species and healthy humans (Rojas-Lopez et al 2018). It can cause a broad range of illnesses, ranging from enteric disease, to extra-intestinal and systemic infections (ExPEC) in humans and animals (Um et al 2018). It has been suggested that pathogenic strains of E. coli have originated from commensal ones by the acquisition of chromosomal or extra-chromosomal virulence encoding genes and operons (Sobhy et al 2020). E. coli is one of the commanding bacterial species leading to urinary tract infections (UTIs) including cystitis and pyelonephritis, septicemia (SEPEC), and neonatal meningitis (NMEC) (Nojoomi and Ghasemian 2019)
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