Analysis of transcriptional landscapes and multidrug resistant genes in commensal and diarrheagenic E. Coli strains from stool

Abstract

Introduction
Antimicrobial drugs are widely used for prophylaxis, metaphylaxis, and treatment. In some areas of the world, they are also utilized to promote growth. A large number of these medications are members of the same classes of antibacterial chemicals that are prescribed to people. According to surveillance studies carried out in several nations, Escherichia coli isolates are becoming more resistant to the main types of antibiotics that are used to treat patients. It has been proposed that the selection pressure that follows antibiotic exposure has a significant role in the formation and spread of resistance. Aim: Analysis of transcriptional landscapes and multidrug resistant genes in commensal and diarrheagenic E. Coli strains from stool. Material and Methods: A prospective, observational, and cross-sectional study conducted in a hospital setting. This study was conducted in the Department of Microbiology
at Index Medical College, Hospital & Research Centre (IMCHRC), located in Indore, Madhya Pradesh over a perid of 3 years, from 2021 to 2023. Submission of a stool sample that reveals an excess of five white blood cells per high-power field (HPF). A total of 180
fecal samples was collected by using disposable container. Each container was inverted and sealed immediately after collection. Results: In all three of our research groups, we discovered a significant proportion of distinct DEC co-infection (Table 2). In our
investigation, the most prevalent mixed infections found were EAEC, EPEC and ETEC in 54/180 (30%); EAEC and EPEC in 24/180 (13.3%) and EPEC and ETEC in 7/180 (3.9%) isolates. Coexistence of all the four categories of DEC together was present in 3/60 isolates
(5%) in Group 1 and 1/60 (1.7%) in Group 2. In healthy controls, the coexistence of EAEC and EPEC occurred in 15/60 isolates (25%). Conclusion: DEC was recovered at higher rate
from healthy children and children without diarrhea, demonstrating extensive and fast spread
of these pathogens in community. Multiplex PCR being time saving can be used for
simultaneous detection of pathogenic genes. The occurrence of atypical EPEC in healthy
children is of a great concern and cannot be neglected. This study AmpC, ESBL and MBL
were the main resistance patterns of the strains evaluated. High prevalence of ESBL and
plasmid-mediated AmpC was due to extensive use of third-generation cephalosporins.