Molecular and phenotypic typing of enteropathogenic Escherichia coli isolated in childhood acute diarrhea in Abuja, Nigeria

Abstract

Introduction: Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) causes infectious diarrhea among children in developing countries. However, in Nigeria, due to limited laboratory resources, the genetic diversity of its virulence factors, which include intimin subtypes, remains undefined. Methodology: EPEC isolates from diarrheic children 60 months of age and younger in Abuja, Nigeria, were analyzed. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for EPEC virulence gene, Hep-2 cell adherence, and serotyping were performed. EPEC strains were further subtyped by PCR for the identification of intimin subtype genes α (alpha), β (beta), γ1 (gamma-1), and έ (epsilon). Antibiotic resistance and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) production was determined by Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines. Results: Overall, 18 (4.5%) out of 400 children with acute diarrhea had EPEC infection. Typical EPEC (tEPEC) strains were detected in 14 (3.5%), whereas 4 (1.1%) were atypical EPEC (aEPEC). A total of 15 (83.3%) of the EPEC isolated belonged to β intimin subtype gene, while the remaining 3 EPEC isolates possessed the intimin έ subtype. No α and γ intimin subtypes were detected. Traditional EPEC serotypes O114:H14 were detected only in tEPEC strains. Marked resistance to β-lactam agents were observed but no ESBL-producing tEPEC or aEPEC was detected. Conclusions: This is the first report of intimin subtype genes in Abuja, Nigeria. EPEC isolates of diverse serotypes resistant to β-lactam antimicrobial agents were observed. These data will be useful in facilitating the characterization of intimin variants of EPEC and some Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) in humans and other animal species.

Epidemiology and risk factors for diarrhoeagenic Escherichia coli carriage among children in northern Ibadan, Nigeria

“…Atypical EPEC strains carrying LEE genes including eae, but lacking bfpA gene, were isolated from seven cases and 16 controls. EPEC have been historically prominent in Nigeria, 14,16 based on reports from studies that used serotyping but more recent studies using hybridization, 17 and PCR, [18][19][20]56,57 like our current WGS study have found this pathotype much less common suggesting that earlier results may be due to methodological artefacts. Shigella has been reported as a principal etiological agent of diarrheal disease in African countries and has consequently been prioritized for vaccine development.…”

Detection of the mcr-1 gene in Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) and Shigatoxigenic E. coli (STEC) strains isolated from broilers

“…The presence of the mcr-1 gene in these strains is of concern because it is pathogenic to humans, posing a public health risk. The use of antimicrobials to treat infections caused by the EPEC and STEC pathotypes is recommended only in severe cases (Wong et al 2012, Ifeanyi et al 2016. As colistin has been cited as a last resort for the treatment of multidrugresistant bacteria, resistance to this antimicrobial is very important, as it may be a limiting factor for the successful treatment of infections.…”

“…The Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) and Shigatoxigenic E. coli (STEC) strains are pathogens of public health importance due to their ability to cause enteric diseases in humans (Ifeanyi et al 2016, Fierz et al 2017, Torres 2017) these pathogens are isolated from poultry and poultry products (Dutta et al 2011, Alonso et al 2012, Samanta et al 2015, Doregiraee et al 2016, Badi et al 2018.…”

“…These animals are possible reservoirs and sources of infection for humans and the environment. In humans, in most cases, EPEC-induced diarrhea is self-limiting and is treated with rehydration therapy, but requires the use of antimicrobials in persistent infections (Ifeanyi et al 2016).…”

Antimicrobial Resistance Profile and Detection of Extended Spectrum and Amp C β-Lactamase Resistance Genes in Escherichia coli Isolated from Diarrheic Children in Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria

“…Several studies worldwide have reported on ESBL resistance in E. coli from stool of diarrheic children [5,14,[21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29]. There are few reports in Nigeria on ESBL production in E. coli isolated from stool of diarrheic patients [30][31][32][33][34]. However, no report is known to us on ESBL and AmpC βlactamase resistance in E. coli from diarrheic patients of any age group in the study area.…”