Detection and Characterization of <i>Escherichia coli</i> and <i>Escherichia coli</i> O157:H7 in Human, Animal, and Food Samples from Kirkuk Province, Iraq
This study aims to investigate the prevalence of <i>E. coli</i> and <i>E. coli</i> O157:H7 in 353 samples collected in Kirkuk from human stool, animal feces, raw and pasteurized milk, and beef hamburgers. <i>E. coli</i> was isolated using conventional methods and...
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2025-01-01
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| author | Hayman Abdullah Ameen Altaie Maroua Gdoura Ben Amor Burhan Ahmed Mohammed Radhouane Gdoura |
| author_facet | Hayman Abdullah Ameen Altaie Maroua Gdoura Ben Amor Burhan Ahmed Mohammed Radhouane Gdoura |
| author_sort | Hayman Abdullah Ameen Altaie |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study aims to investigate the prevalence of <i>E. coli</i> and <i>E. coli</i> O157:H7 in 353 samples collected in Kirkuk from human stool, animal feces, raw and pasteurized milk, and beef hamburgers. <i>E. coli</i> was isolated using conventional methods and identified with the Enterosystem Kit 18R. Suspected <i>E. coli</i> O157:H7 were confirmed serologically and tested for antimicrobial resistance and virulence genes (<i>stx1</i>, <i>stx2</i>, <i>eaeA</i>, and <i>hlyA</i>). The overall prevalence rates of 20.4% for <i>E. coli</i> and 7.9% for <i>E. coli</i> O157:H7 were found, with the highest prevalence in human stool. The antimicrobial susceptibility profile of 28 <i>E. coli</i> O157:H7 isolates revealed significant resistance and sensitivity patterns, highlighting important implications for public health. The isolates demonstrated complete sensitivity to gentamicin (100%), while also showing high sensitivity to ciprofloxacin (92.86%), ceftriaxone (85.71%), and amikacin (64.29%). Conversely, the isolates exhibited notable resistance to tetracycline (85.71%), ampicillin (75.00%), sulfamethoxazole (71.43%), and streptomycin (67.86%). All the <i>E. coli</i> O157:H7 strains isolated in this study were positive for <i>stx1</i> and/or <i>stx2</i>, as well as the <i>eaeA</i> gene, and are referred to as enterohemorrhagic (EHEC) strains. In order to highlight the genotypic variability among the EHEC <i>E. coli</i> O157:H7 isolates, five virulence profiles were identified, with profile III (<i>stx2</i>, <i>eaeA</i>, and <i>hlyA</i>) being the most common (35.7%). This profile was closely associated with diarrheic humans, while profile V (<i>stx1</i>, <i>eaeA</i>) was prevalent in animal feces and products. These findings may raise awareness of the risks associated with this pathogen, helping to reduce the incidence of <i>E. coli</i>-related diseases and to protect human health. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-94b7cccc53154481947840b2ed9be839 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2036-7481 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-94b7cccc53154481947840b2ed9be8392025-01-24T13:41:45ZengMDPI AGMicrobiology Research2036-74812025-01-011612010.3390/microbiolres16010020Detection and Characterization of <i>Escherichia coli</i> and <i>Escherichia coli</i> O157:H7 in Human, Animal, and Food Samples from Kirkuk Province, IraqHayman Abdullah Ameen Altaie0Maroua Gdoura Ben Amor1Burhan Ahmed Mohammed2Radhouane Gdoura3Research Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology Microbiology and Health (LR17ES06), Faculty of Sciences, Sfax University, BP 1171, Sfax 3000, TunisiaResearch Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology Microbiology and Health (LR17ES06), Faculty of Sciences, Sfax University, BP 1171, Sfax 3000, TunisiaDepartment of Medical Laboratory Techniques, College of Medical Technology, Alkitab University, Kirkuk 1068, IraqResearch Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology Microbiology and Health (LR17ES06), Faculty of Sciences, Sfax University, BP 1171, Sfax 3000, TunisiaThis study aims to investigate the prevalence of <i>E. coli</i> and <i>E. coli</i> O157:H7 in 353 samples collected in Kirkuk from human stool, animal feces, raw and pasteurized milk, and beef hamburgers. <i>E. coli</i> was isolated using conventional methods and identified with the Enterosystem Kit 18R. Suspected <i>E. coli</i> O157:H7 were confirmed serologically and tested for antimicrobial resistance and virulence genes (<i>stx1</i>, <i>stx2</i>, <i>eaeA</i>, and <i>hlyA</i>). The overall prevalence rates of 20.4% for <i>E. coli</i> and 7.9% for <i>E. coli</i> O157:H7 were found, with the highest prevalence in human stool. The antimicrobial susceptibility profile of 28 <i>E. coli</i> O157:H7 isolates revealed significant resistance and sensitivity patterns, highlighting important implications for public health. The isolates demonstrated complete sensitivity to gentamicin (100%), while also showing high sensitivity to ciprofloxacin (92.86%), ceftriaxone (85.71%), and amikacin (64.29%). Conversely, the isolates exhibited notable resistance to tetracycline (85.71%), ampicillin (75.00%), sulfamethoxazole (71.43%), and streptomycin (67.86%). All the <i>E. coli</i> O157:H7 strains isolated in this study were positive for <i>stx1</i> and/or <i>stx2</i>, as well as the <i>eaeA</i> gene, and are referred to as enterohemorrhagic (EHEC) strains. In order to highlight the genotypic variability among the EHEC <i>E. coli</i> O157:H7 isolates, five virulence profiles were identified, with profile III (<i>stx2</i>, <i>eaeA</i>, and <i>hlyA</i>) being the most common (35.7%). This profile was closely associated with diarrheic humans, while profile V (<i>stx1</i>, <i>eaeA</i>) was prevalent in animal feces and products. These findings may raise awareness of the risks associated with this pathogen, helping to reduce the incidence of <i>E. coli</i>-related diseases and to protect human health.https://www.mdpi.com/2036-7481/16/1/20<i>E. coli</i><i>E. coli</i> O157:H7prevalenceantibiotic resistancevirulence factorshuman |
| spellingShingle | Hayman Abdullah Ameen Altaie Maroua Gdoura Ben Amor Burhan Ahmed Mohammed Radhouane Gdoura Detection and Characterization of <i>Escherichia coli</i> and <i>Escherichia coli</i> O157:H7 in Human, Animal, and Food Samples from Kirkuk Province, Iraq Microbiology Research <i>E. coli</i> <i>E. coli</i> O157:H7 prevalence antibiotic resistance virulence factors human |
| title | Detection and Characterization of <i>Escherichia coli</i> and <i>Escherichia coli</i> O157:H7 in Human, Animal, and Food Samples from Kirkuk Province, Iraq |
| title_full | Detection and Characterization of <i>Escherichia coli</i> and <i>Escherichia coli</i> O157:H7 in Human, Animal, and Food Samples from Kirkuk Province, Iraq |
| title_fullStr | Detection and Characterization of <i>Escherichia coli</i> and <i>Escherichia coli</i> O157:H7 in Human, Animal, and Food Samples from Kirkuk Province, Iraq |
| title_full_unstemmed | Detection and Characterization of <i>Escherichia coli</i> and <i>Escherichia coli</i> O157:H7 in Human, Animal, and Food Samples from Kirkuk Province, Iraq |
| title_short | Detection and Characterization of <i>Escherichia coli</i> and <i>Escherichia coli</i> O157:H7 in Human, Animal, and Food Samples from Kirkuk Province, Iraq |
| title_sort | detection and characterization of i escherichia coli i and i escherichia coli i o157 h7 in human animal and food samples from kirkuk province iraq |
| topic | <i>E. coli</i> <i>E. coli</i> O157:H7 prevalence antibiotic resistance virulence factors human |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2036-7481/16/1/20 |
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