Detection and Characterization of <i>Escherichia coli</i> and <i>Escherichia coli</i> O157:H7 in Human, Animal, and Food Samples from Kirkuk Province, Iraq
This study aims to investigate the prevalence of <i>E. coli</i> and <i>E. coli</i> O157:H7 in 353 samples collected in Kirkuk from human stool, animal feces, raw and pasteurized milk, and beef hamburgers. <i>E. coli</i> was isolated using conventional methods and...
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| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Microbiology Research |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2036-7481/16/1/20 |
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| Summary: | This study aims to investigate the prevalence of <i>E. coli</i> and <i>E. coli</i> O157:H7 in 353 samples collected in Kirkuk from human stool, animal feces, raw and pasteurized milk, and beef hamburgers. <i>E. coli</i> was isolated using conventional methods and identified with the Enterosystem Kit 18R. Suspected <i>E. coli</i> O157:H7 were confirmed serologically and tested for antimicrobial resistance and virulence genes (<i>stx1</i>, <i>stx2</i>, <i>eaeA</i>, and <i>hlyA</i>). The overall prevalence rates of 20.4% for <i>E. coli</i> and 7.9% for <i>E. coli</i> O157:H7 were found, with the highest prevalence in human stool. The antimicrobial susceptibility profile of 28 <i>E. coli</i> O157:H7 isolates revealed significant resistance and sensitivity patterns, highlighting important implications for public health. The isolates demonstrated complete sensitivity to gentamicin (100%), while also showing high sensitivity to ciprofloxacin (92.86%), ceftriaxone (85.71%), and amikacin (64.29%). Conversely, the isolates exhibited notable resistance to tetracycline (85.71%), ampicillin (75.00%), sulfamethoxazole (71.43%), and streptomycin (67.86%). All the <i>E. coli</i> O157:H7 strains isolated in this study were positive for <i>stx1</i> and/or <i>stx2</i>, as well as the <i>eaeA</i> gene, and are referred to as enterohemorrhagic (EHEC) strains. In order to highlight the genotypic variability among the EHEC <i>E. coli</i> O157:H7 isolates, five virulence profiles were identified, with profile III (<i>stx2</i>, <i>eaeA</i>, and <i>hlyA</i>) being the most common (35.7%). This profile was closely associated with diarrheic humans, while profile V (<i>stx1</i>, <i>eaeA</i>) was prevalent in animal feces and products. These findings may raise awareness of the risks associated with this pathogen, helping to reduce the incidence of <i>E. coli</i>-related diseases and to protect human health. |
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| ISSN: | 2036-7481 |