Molecular Characterization and Antimicrobial Resistance of Pathogenic Escherichia coli Strains in Children from Wolaita Sodo, Southern Ethiopia

Amanuel Wolde; Yosef Deneke; Tesfaye Sisay; Mesfin Mathewos

doi:10.1155/2022/9166209

Molecular Characterization and Antimicrobial Resistance of Pathogenic Escherichia coli Strains in Children from Wolaita Sodo, Southern Ethiopia

J Trop Med. 2022 Jul 6:2022:9166209. doi: 10.1155/2022/9166209. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Amanuel Wolde¹, Yosef Deneke², Tesfaye Sisay³, Mesfin Mathewos⁴

Affiliations

¹ College of Agriculture, Department of Veterinary Science, Jinka University, Jinka, Ethiopia.
² School of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia.
³ Institute of Biotechnology, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
⁴ School of Veterinary Medicine, Wolaita Sodo University, Wolaita Sodo, Ethiopia.

Abstract

Introduction: Pathogenic Escherichia coli strains cause diarrheal infection in children due to their virulence factors. A nonanalytical observational study followed by a purposive sampling technique was conducted from October 2017 to June 2018, to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility patterns and molecularly detect pathogenic Escherichia coli strains in under-five children at Wolaita Sodo town using molecular and the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method.

Result: In the current investigation, out of 110 stool samples, Escherichia coli was isolated in 68 (61.8%) (95% CI: 52.1-70.9%). Out of 68 Escherichia coli isolates, 61.9% of Escherichia coli isolates were resistant, 9.4% were intermediately resistant, and 28.7% were susceptible. Among the antimicrobial agents, 91.2% of Escherichia coli isolates were highly sensitive to ciprofloxacin followed by norfloxacin (86.8%). Virulence genes were detected in 55.9% (38/68) (95% CI 52.1%-70.9%) of isolates. The following genes were detected: stx1 (6 (8.8%)), stx2 (4 (5.9%)), eaeA (5 (7.4%)), eaat (14 (20.5%)), and St (4 (5.9%)). Out of 68 Escherichia coli isolates, 43 (63.2%) isolates had shown multidrug resistance patterns. Furthermore, 11.8% of Escherichia coli isolates had shown resistance to eight different drugs. The multidrug resistance index value of Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli pathotypes was greater than or equal to 0.4, which indicates the high risk of resistance.

Conclusion: This study demonstrated important pathogenic Escherichia coli strains and multidrug resistance in isolates containing virulence genes. Wise use of antimicrobials and improving the hygienic practices amongst parents of children reduce its occurrence. Therefore, appropriate usage of antimicrobial agents should also be highly practiced in hospitals.