Authors | Mohammed, M., Otong, M.M., Mboto, C., Asuquo, B.S., Okoro, B., Ekpo, C., Okon, U.E. and Mbim, E.N. |
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Abstract | Escherichia coli is an emerging nosocomial pathogen causing problems in health care settings. The management of human infections caused by multidrug resistant (MDR) E. coli poses substantial clinical challenges in hospitals. The study aimed to characterise the resistome and virulome of E. coli in Nigerian hospitals. Bacterial identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing against nine antibiotics were performed using standard methods. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) was carried out on ten beta-lactam resistant isolates using an Illumina MiSeq platform. In-silico analysis revealed several resistance genes against beta-lactams (blaOXA-1, blaSHV-152, blaSHV-158, blaSHV-28, blaSHV-106, blaCTX-M-15, blaTEM-1B, blaSST-1, blaCTX-M170, blaCTX-M-216, blaTEM-207, blaTEM-104, blaCTX-M-156, blaCTX-M-88, blaTEM-230, blaTEM-217, blaTEM-30, blaTEM-234 and blaTEM-198). In addition to resistance genes against other antibiotic classes including aminoglycosides, aminocyclitol, folate pathway antagonists, Fosfomycin, macrolides, tetracyclines, quaternary ammonium compounds and quinolones. Genomic analysis of clinical E. coli strains also revealed bacterial isolates harbour several virulence genes (including aap, aatA, agg4A, agg4C, agg4D, aggR, capU, gad, ORF3, ORF4, iss, iucC, iutA, hlyE, sat, sepA, sitA, terC and traT). A comprehensive analysis of MDR E. coli strains provided by WGS detected variable antimicrobial resistance genes and virulence factors. Programs are therefore needed to control the spread of MDR E. coli in hospitals in Nigeria. |
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