Evaluation of Virulence Factors and Antibiotic Sensitivity Pattern of Escherichia Coli Isolated from Extraintestinal Infections

Abstract

Introduction Identification of virulence determinants among the clinically isolated microorganisms assumes greater significance in the patient management perspective. Among the hospitalized patients, extremes of age groups (neonatal and geriatric age patients), patients who are debilitated due to other associated medical conditions, patients taking immunosuppressive therapy, and patients undergoing major surgeries are prone to infections with previously nonpathogenic or opportunistic pathogens. Screening of the pathogenic potential of such bacteria and identifying their virulence factors and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns could be instrumental in better patient care and management.Materials & methods In this study, we evaluated the virulence determinants and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of 100 clinical isolates of E. coli collected from extraintestinal infections and 50 control strains of E. coli. Hemolysin production, serum resistance, cell surface hydrophobicity, and gelatinase production were tested using standard laboratory procedures.Results Results showed that E. colistrains have a variable pattern of virulence markers that included hemolysin production (9%), cell surface hydrophobicity (9%), serum resistance (93%), and gelatinase production (2%). Antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed a higher rate of resistance against cephalothin (84%) and ampicillin (98%). Susceptibility to amikacin (80%) and co-trimoxazole (47%) was variable and none of the test strains revealed resistance to imipenem. The control strains in contrast exhibited fewer virulence factors and the least resistance to antibiotics.Conclusion In conclusion, the study results revealed that E. coli isolated from extraintestinal infections had demonstrated greater virulence and higher resistance to antibiotics as compared to the E. coli strains isolated from healthy individuals.

Phenotypic Characterisation of Escherichia coli Isolates from Fish, Diarrheic and Healthy Children in Zanzibar, Tanzania

“…Previous studies have shown that urinary and peritoneal isolates are most hydrophobic [22] suggesting relation of hydrophobicity with pathogenicity. [42,43,14]. Occurrence of lower numbers of virulence factors from healthy individuals compared with diarrheic children is in consistence with other workers who found lower prevalence of virulence factors in commensal E. coli [42].…”

“…[42,43,14]. Occurrence of lower numbers of virulence factors from healthy individuals compared with diarrheic children is in consistence with other workers who found lower prevalence of virulence factors in commensal E. coli [42]. Moreover occurrence of multivirulence factors in fish isolates cautions that fish could be potential source of pathogenic E coli.…”

Poultry hatcheries as potential reservoirs for antimicrobial-resistant Escherichia coli: A risk to public health and food safety

“…An important microbial characteristic associated with virulent avian E . coli is a hemolytic reaction on blood agar plates 14 , 15 – hemolytic strains are more virulent than non-hemolytic strains 16 , 17 . α-Hemolysin, also known as cytotoxic necrotizing factor, is produced by invasive strains of E .…”

Isolation and Molecular Identification of Avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli in Broiler Chickens Suffering from Colibacillosis in some Governorates in Egypt

“…Results of the serological identification showed 14 serotypes of E. coli as shown in Table (2). The isolated E. coli serotypes are O8, O20, O27, O44, O78, O114, O125, O142, O146, O152, O153, O158, O164, O166, and O Untypable.…”

“…Escherichia coli (E. coli), is harmless, normal inhabitants of the gastrointestinal tract of animals and human beings [1]. Specific strains of E. coli can invade multiple birds' organs, causing peritonitis, perihepatitis, air sacculitis, pericarditis and other extraintestinal infections [2]. Avian colibacillosis is the most common disease leading to significant economic losses to the poultry industry in the world [3].…”