Detection of diarrhoeagenic Escherichia coli virulence genes by multiplex-PCR method and their antibiotic susceptibility profile

Acute diarrhoeal disease is a public health problem and an important cause of morbidity and mortality, particularly in developing countries. The etiology is varied, and the diarrheagenic Escherichiacolipathotypes are most important. Our objectives were detection of Diarrhoeagenic E. coli virulence genes by Multiplex-PCR method and their antimicrobial susceptibility profile. Fifty five E. Coli strains were isolated from ۱۵۰ fresh fecal samples. Multiplex PCR was performed to characterize the diarrheagenic E. coli strains. Antibiotic susceptibility patterns were determined by the disc-diffusion method. The highest and lowest frequency of DEC isolates were ۱۲.۷% and ۱.۸% for EHEC and EIEC, respectively. bfp and stx۱ genes were not carried out by DEC strains. Thirty six isolates were negative for any gene amplification. The highest rate of resistance among DEC strains were related to Imipenem with ۱۰۰% frequency. All DEC isolates (۱۰۰%) were susceptible to ciprofloxacin.Differentiation between the diarrheagenic E. coli pathotypes are of great importance since they are complicated in acute diarrheal illnesses and may need specific antimicrobial therapy. The high antimicrobial resistance raises a broad discussion on the indiscriminate or improper use of antimicrobials, besides the risks of self-medication.

Keywords:

Diarrhoeagenic E. coli , Multiplex-PCR , Virulence genes , Antibiotic resistance