Characterization of virulence determinants and phylogenetic background of multiple and extensively drug resistant Escherichia coli isolated from different clinical sources in Egypt

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.

Increased Levels of (p)ppGpp Correlate with Virulence and Biofilm Formation, but Not with Growth, in Strains of Uropathogenic Escherichia coli

“…Such a high distribution of the fimH gene was also confirmed in studies conducted in Ethiopia, Romania, Mongolia, Iran, Mexico, and China [ 13 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 ], which may indicate a key role of this factor in the development of UTI. The percentage of other VFs (Sfa, PapC, HlyA, CNF1) that characterize the strains in the studied collection is on par with another study conducted in Poland [ 47 ], while in other countries, the share of these factors varies [ 13 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 ]. A high percentage of sequences encoding SitA and Aer characterized the UPEC studied, and this observation is in line with the results obtained in other studies [ 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 ].…”

Characterization of genes related to the efflux pump and porin in multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli strains isolated from patients with COVID-19 after secondary infection

“…However, they demonstrated complete resistance to AMP, 60% resistance to AMX-C acid, and significant resistance to cephalosporins, GEN, and AMK. According to other studies, ESBL-producing bacteria are known to produce a significant level of antibiotic resistance in E. coli [ 42 , 43 ].…”

Isolation and characterization of multi-drug resistant (MDR) and extensively drug resistant (XDR) bacterial pathogens from diverse environmental niches of Shimla, Himachal Pradesh (India)

“…One study from Himachal Pradesh (India) also observed no signi cant difference between MDR and MDS P. aeruginosa clinical isolates for expression of virulence traits [15]. Other studies have also reported no signi cant relation between expression of virulence traits and multi drug resistant phenotype [49][50][51][52].…”