Isolation, molecular characterization and antibiotic resistance of Shiga Toxin–Producing Escherichia coli (STEC) from buffalo in India. (22nd February 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mahanti, A.; Samanta, I.; Bandopaddhay, S.; Joardar, S.N.; Dutta, T.K.; Batabyal, S.; Sar, T.K.; Isore, D.P.
• Is Part Of: Letters in applied microbiology. Volume 56:Number 4(2013:Apr.)
• Page Start: 291
• Page End: 298
• Publication Date: 2013-02-22
• Subjects: antibiotic resistance -- buffalo -- India -- Shiga toxin–producing Escherichia coli -- West Bengal; Microbiology -- Periodicals; 660.62
• DOI: 10.1111/lam.12048
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0266-8254

Abstract

Abstract: In total, 363 Escherichia coli were isolated from 165 faecal samples of healthy buffaloes in West Bengal, India. Twenty‐four of these isolates (6·61%) were found to carry at least one gene characteristic for Shiga toxin–producing Escherichia coli (STEC). These STEC strains belonged to 13 different O‐serogroups. The stx 1 gene was present in 23 (95·8%) of total STEC isolates, whereas 20 (83·3%) STEC isolates carried the gene stx 2 . Twelve strains of E. coli (50% of total STEC isolates) possessed enterohaemolysin ( ehxA ) gene in combination with others. Fourteen (58·33%) isolates found to possess saa gene. However, no E. coli was detected harbouring gene for intimin protein ( eaeA ). Of 23 stx 1 ‐positive isolates, seven (30·43%) were positive for genes of the stx 1C subtype. Of the 20 isolates with the stx 2 gene, 25% (5/20) possessed stx 2C and 10% (2/20) possessed stx 2d gene. The phylogenetic analysis after RAPD of STEC strains revealed six major clusters. The isolated STEC strains were resistant most frequently to erythromycin (95·83%), cephalothin (62·5%), amikacin (54·17%), kanamycin (45·83%) and gentamicin (41·67%) group of antibiotics. No ESBL‐producing ( bla CTXM, bla TEM, bla SHV ) or quinolone resistance gene ( qnrA ) was detected in the STEC isolates. Abstract : Significance and Impact of the Study: The buffaloes from different districts of West Bengal, India, are important reservoir of multidrug‐resistant Shiga toxin–producing Escherichia coli (STEC). India is home to more than 56% of world buffalo population, traditionally raised by farmers. So, there is a major risk of transmission of STEC among the human population of this part of the globe. However, there is no prevalence study of STEC from healthy or diarrhoeic buffalo in India. The present study reports for the first time in India about isolation, molecular characterization and antibiotic resistance pattern of STEC in healthy buffaloes.