Molecular detection of the Escherichia coli heme-utilization gene A virulence factor in E. coli isolated from the feces of horses in Sumbawa island, Indonesia.
Abstract: The transmission of () containing virulent genes from animals to humans and the environment poses significant public health challenges. This study aimed to detect the virulence factor of the () in isolated from the feces of apparently healthy horses in the island of Sumbawa, Indonesia. The study utilized 52 fecal samples from a total horse population of 283, calculated using the disease detection formula. Fresh feces were collected immediately after excretion and placed in buffered peptone water for subsequent analysis. The samples were then isolated on eosin methylene blue media and identified using biochemical tests. Identified strains were further examined for detecting the gene using polymerase chain reaction techniques. The was successfully isolated and identified in 11 (21.15%) of the 52 collected fecal samples. Polymerase chain reaction analysis detected the gene in 8 (15.38%) isolates at 279 bp on gel electrophoresis. The close interaction between horses and humans in the island of Sumbawa, Indonesia, may facilitate the spread of . Thus, surveillance is needed to employ a One Health approach to monitor strains encoding the gene and other virulence factors to control their dissemination.
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Publication Date: 2025-06-15 PubMed ID: 40726538PubMed Central: PMC12295532DOI: 10.30466/vrf.2024.2039823.4421Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This study examines the occurrence of a virulence gene called chuA in Escherichia coli (E. coli) found in horse feces in Sumbawa Island, Indonesia, to understand the potential spread of the bacteria from horses to humans.
Methodology
- The researchers collected 52 fecal samples from healthy horses, out of a total horse population of 283 on Sumbawa Island, Indonesia. The sample size was calculated using a disease detection formula.
- Fresh feces were gathered and placed immediately into a solution called buffered peptone water, which provides optimum conditions for microbial growth.
- The fecal samples were then processed on a particular agar medium known as eosin methylene blue, which is commonly used for isolating and characterizing E. coli strains.
- E. coli strains were also identified using biochemical tests, which reveal the bacteria’s metabolic characteristics.
Identification of the chuA gene
- The chuA gene, a virulence factor in E. coli, was sought in the identified strains using a molecular tool known as the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). PCR is a popular technique in molecular biology that amplifies specific DNA regions, allowing for the detection of individual genes.
- PCR analysis found the chuA gene in 8 out of the 52 fecal samples at a specific size (279 base pairs) on gel electrophoresis, a laboratory method for visualizing DNA strands separated by length.
Significance of Findings
- The detection of the chuA gene in 15.38% of E. coli strains from horse feces highlights the risk of bacterial transmission between horses and humans on Sumbawa Island, given their close interaction. The chuA is a critical virulence factor that allows the bacteria to utilize heme, an iron-containing molecule, from its host, enhancing its survival and pathogenicity.
- The researchers suggest employing a “One Health” approach, emphasizing the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health, for surveillance of E. coli strains carrying the chuA gene and other virulence factors to control their spread.
Cite This Article
APA
Kholik K, Sukri A, Priscilia Riwu KH, Ayu IW, Dewi IN.
(2025).
Molecular detection of the Escherichia coli heme-utilization gene A virulence factor in E. coli isolated from the feces of horses in Sumbawa island, Indonesia.
Vet Res Forum, 16(6), 325-330.
https://doi.org/10.30466/vrf.2024.2039823.4421 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Pendidikan Mandalika, Mataram, Indonesia.
- Department of Biology Education, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Universitas Pendidikan Mandalika, Mataram, Indonesia.
- Department of Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Pendidikan Mandalika, Mataram, Indonesia.
- Department of Argotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Samawa, Sumbawa, Indonesia .
- Department of Biology Education, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Universitas Pendidikan Mandalika, Mataram, Indonesia.
Conflict of Interest Statement
In this study, there was no conflict of interest.
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