Predominance of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli among ESBL/plasmid-mediated AmpC-producing strains isolated from diarrheic foals: a public health concern.
- Journal Article
Summary
The research article discusses the growing prevalence and public health concerns associated with a specific type of Escherichia coli (E. coli) found in diarrheic foals, which is resistant to certain antibiotics and can harm both animals and humans.
Research Overview
The primary focus of this study is on the burgeoning presence of diarrheagenic E. coli pathotypes, notably those carrying extended spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) or plasmid-mediated AmpC Beta-lactamase (pAmpC), especially among animals.
- The researchers collected rectal samples from 80 foals experiencing diarrhoea.
- These samples were processed to identify and isolate ESBL/pAmpC-producing E. coli, which was achieved using selective culture moderating, biochemical tests, phenotypic and molecular identification of ESBL and pAmpC-encoding genes.
Research Findings
- From the 80 foals that were examined, 26, which is 32.5%, were confirmed to have ESBL/pAmpC-producing E. coli. Specifically, it was found that 14 (17.5%) of the foals carried ESBL-producing E. coli only, whereas 12 (15%) foals had ESBL-pAmpC-producing E. coli.
- The only discovered diarrheagenic pathotype was the enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC), identifiable by the heat-stable enterotoxin gene (ST), with an 80.8% prevalence rate.
- All ETEC strains demonstrated a multi-drug-resistance pattern, causing concern for treatment difficulties.
Public Health Implications
- Phylogenetic analysis indicated high genetic similarity between ETEC strains isolated from foals and humans. This suggested the potential risk that infection can spillover from animals to humans, thus accentuating the significance of this study to public health awareness.
- As the study concludes, diarrheic foals could act as a potential reservoir for multidrug-resistant ESBL-/pAmpC-producing E. coli.
In summary, this study provides valuable insights into how ESBL-/pAmpC-producing E. coli spread among animals and humans which in turn can pave the way for newer, more effective prevention and control strategies.
Cite This Article
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.
- Department of Zoonoses, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt. drhalazaher@cu.edu.eg.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Horses
- Diarrhea / veterinary
- Diarrhea / microbiology
- Escherichia coli Infections / veterinary
- Escherichia coli Infections / microbiology
- Escherichia coli Infections / epidemiology
- beta-Lactamases / genetics
- beta-Lactamases / metabolism
- Horse Diseases / microbiology
- Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli / genetics
- Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli / drug effects
- Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli / isolation & purification
- Bacterial Proteins / genetics
- Bacterial Proteins / metabolism
- Plasmids / genetics
- Public Health
Conflict of Interest Statement
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