Research Article
Antimicrobial Resistance and Virulence Gene Profiles of Escherichia Coli Isolated from Stool Samples of Patients with Gastrointestinal Disorders in Buea, Cameroon
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 1, February 2025
Pages:
1-10
Received:
3 December 2024
Accepted:
17 December 2024
Published:
7 January 2025
DOI:
10.11648/j.ejcbs.20251101.11
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Abstract: The rising antibiotic resistance in Escherichia coli (E. coli), coupled with the presence of virulence factors, poses significant challenges for infection management, amplifying pathogenicity and therapeutic failure. This study investigated the antimicrobial resistance and virulence gene profiles of E. coli isolates from stool samples of patients with gastrointestinal disorders and explored potential associations between antibiotic resistance and virulence factors. A total of 244 E. coli isolates were recovered from 373 stool samples, identified through biochemical methods and confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Singleplex and multiplex PCR assays were employed to screen for 22 virulence genes, categorized into adhesins (fimH, afa, papE, papC, nfaE, bmaE), invasins (ibeA, colV), toxins (stx1, stx2, cdtB, est, elt), capsule synthesis genes (kpsII, rfc), siderophores (iutA, chuA, ire), and others, including pai, hlyA, and eaeA. Antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) was performed on 50 randomly selected isolates harboring at least one virulence gene using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Among the 244 E. coli isolates, 178 (73.0%) harbored at least one virulence gene. The detected genes were categorized into adhesins (33.2%), toxins (13.5%), siderophores (10.7%), and capsule synthesis and invasins (5.3%), with fimH (18.0%) and papC (6.1%) being the most prevalent. Notably, two virulence genes, rfc and eaeA, were not detected in any isolates. Antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) revealed alarmingly high resistance rates to beta-lactams (90% for Amoxicillin and Ampicillin), Tetracycline (80%), Doxycycline (74%), and Sulfamethoxazole (88%), with all isolates exhibiting complete resistance to Metronidazole. In contrast, Ceftriaxone demonstrated moderate efficacy (48% sensitivity), while Ciprofloxacin (74%) and Gentamicin (76%) were the most effective antibiotics. A significant positive correlation (r = 0.635, P = 0.000) was observed between the presence of virulence genes and antibiotic resistance, underscoring the interplay between these factors. These findings highlight the need for further research to unravel the molecular mechanisms linking virulence and resistance in E. coli. Targeted interventions addressing both virulence and resistance factors are essential to improving therapeutic outcomes and combating multidrug-resistant E. coli.
Abstract: The rising antibiotic resistance in Escherichia coli (E. coli), coupled with the presence of virulence factors, poses significant challenges for infection management, amplifying pathogenicity and therapeutic failure. This study investigated the antimicrobial resistance and virulence gene profiles of E. coli isolates from stool samples of patients w...
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