Investigation of Antibiotic Susceptibility and Virulence Genes in Escherichia coli Strains Isolated from Blood and Urine Samples

Abstract

Objective Extraintestinal Escherichia coli isolates are the most common gram-negative pathogens in humans and cause urinary tract infections, sepsis, neonatal meningitis, and others. The aim of this study was to investigate the rates of antibiotic resistance and virulence factors (kpsM II, neuc K1, hlyF, fyuA, afa/draBC, sat, chuA, fimH, tsh, yfcv, ibeA, traT, iucD, usp, iutA, cnf1, hlyA, papC, sfa/focDE, and ompT) of E. coli strains isolated from blood and urine samples. Methods A total of 150 E. coli strains isolated from blood and urine samples sent to the Microbiology Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine Hospital, Selcuk University were included in the study. The identification and antibiotic susceptibility tests were performed with the VITEK 2 automated system. Multiplex polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the virulence genes. Results Although the highest antibiotic resistance rate found was against ampicillin (73.3%), the lowest rates were against ertapenem and meropenem (0.7%). Extended-spectrum β-lactamase positivity was 38% in E. coli blood isolates and 29% in urine. The highest rates of virulence genes were detected in fimH gene (92%). iutA gene was 91.3%, traT 76%, fyuA 50%, chuA 54.7%, iucD 46.7%, ompT 32.7%, yfcv 31.3%, hlyF 28.7%, sat 22%, papC and sfa/focDE 20%, kpsM II 19.3%, neuc K1 14.7%, tsh 13.3%, cnf1 6.7%, afa/draBC 6%, ibeA 5.3%, usp 4.7%, and hlyA 3.3%. kpsM II, tsh, hlyA, papC, sfa/focDE, and ompT genes were higher in blood isolates. Conclusion High antibiotic resistance rates and virulence genes were detected in E. coli strains in Konya, Turkey. This is the first study in Turkey where both a large number and a variety of virulence factors were investigated and compared. Multicenter studies are needed to better understand E. coli virulence.

Resistance and Virulence Surveillance in Escherichia coli Isolated from Commercial Meat Samples: A One Health Approach

“…The episomal outer membrane protease gene, ompT, which cleaves colicins, was the most prevalent among these strains. This gene has previously been detected in strains responsible for urinary tract infections in humans [76,77]. Soncini et al [32] pointed out the existence of a clonal relationship between strains isolated from humans and those isolated from animal protein, highlighting the importance of monitoring strains originating from meat sources.…”

Multi-drug Resistance, β-Lactamases Production, and Coexistence of blaNDM-1 and mcr-1 in Escherichia coli Clinical Isolates From a Referral Hospital in Kathmandu, Nepal

“… 39 , 40 High rates of AMR and occurrence of virulence genes are being common in E. coli causing urinary tract and blood- associated infections. 41 , 42 …”

“…39,40 High rates of AMR and occurrence of virulence genes are being common in E. coli causing urinary tract and blood-associated infections. 41,42 In the antibiotic susceptibility testing, E. coli isolates were commonly resistant to the aminopenicillin antibiotic, ampicillin. Ampicillin resistance has increased extensively due to inappropriate prescription and injudicious use of antibiotics.…”

The efficiency of molecular methods compared to traditional methods in identifying bacteria from blood and cerebrospinal fluid samples

“…is the third most prevalent human pathogen from Enterobacteriaceae, causing blood infections (Wu et al, 2021). Escherichia coli is the most prevalent Gramnegative pathogen in humans, which also causes sepsis, newborn meningitis and urinary tract infections (Hasanli et al, 2022). As a result, the detection of E. coli in 11% of our samples is expected.…”