Adhesion factors and antimicrobial resistance of Escherichia coli strains associated with colibacillosis in piglets in Colombia

Abstract

Background and Aim: The pathogenicity of Escherichia coli is determined by the presence of genes that mediate virulence factors such as adherence capacity and toxin production. This research aimed to identify the adhesion factors and antibiotic resistance capacity of E. coli strains associated with diarrhea in piglets in Colombia. Materials and Methods: Presumptive E. coli strains were isolated from the rectal swabs of piglets in swine farms between 4 and 40 days of age with evidence of diarrhea. Presumptive E. coli strains were tested for antibiotic resistance. The hemolytic capacity of presumptive E. coli strains was measured and molecularly identified. Strains confirmed as hemolytic E. coli was evaluated for the presence of five adhesion factors (F4, F5, F6, F18, and F41) and resistance to 11 antibiotics. Results: Fifty-two putative E. coli strains were isolated, six of which showed a hemolytic capacity. The hemolytic strains were molecularly identified as E. coli. Adhesive fimbriae were found in five of six β-hemolytic E. coli isolates. Combinations of the adhesion factors F6–F18 and F6–F41 were linked to antibiotic resistance capacity. Conclusion: The phenomenon of E. coli strains resistant to multiple antibiotics on pig farms represents a constant risk factor for public health and pig production. Keywords: adhesive fimbriae, piglet diarrhea, enteroaggregative heat-stable toxin 1, enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli, hemolytic capacity.

The Effect of Antimicrobial Peptide (PA-13) on Escherichia coli Carrying Antibiotic-Resistant Genes Isolated from Boar Semen

“…It is documented that most of the bacteria contaminated in fresh boar semen are E. coli [1-3,6], which show resistance to amoxicillin and ceftriaxone, whereas E. coli isolated from pig rectal and nasal swabs are resistant to tetracyclines, penicillin, and chloramphenicol [6,28]. Since antibiotic-resistant genes can spread to the surrounding environments of pig farms and also to humans, E. coli that is resistant to antibiotics on a pig farm remains a risk factor to public health and pig production [29]. As demonstrated by a comparison of conventional and organic pig farms in Europe, completely reducing antibiotic use decreases the probability of antibiotic resistance [30].…”