Molecular and phenotypic typing of enteropathogenic Escherichia coli isolated in childhood acute diarrhea in Abuja, Nigeria

Authors

  • Casmir Ifeanyichukwu Cajetan Ifeanyi Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Abuja, Abuja, Nigeria
  • Nkiruka Florence Ikeneche College of Health Science, University of Abuja, Abuja, Nigeria
  • Bassey Enya Bassey World Health Organization, Nigeria Country Office, UN House, Plot 617/618 Diplomatic Drive, Central Business District, Garki, Abuja, Nigeria
  • Stefano Morabito Istituto Superiore di Sanita, Rome, Italy
  • Caterina Graziani Istituto Superiore di Sanita, Rome, Italy
  • Alfredo Caprioli Istituto Superiore di Sanita, Rome, Italy

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.9338

Keywords:

Gastroenteritis, Enteropathogenic, Intimin gene, Bundle-forming pilus

Abstract

Introduction: Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) causes infectious diarrhea among children in developing countries. However, in Nigeria, due to limited laboratory resources, the genetic diversity of its virulence factors, which include intimin subtypes, remains undefined.

Methodology: EPEC isolates from diarrheic children 60 months of age and younger in Abuja, Nigeria, were analyzed. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for EPEC virulence gene, Hep-2 cell adherence, and serotyping were performed. EPEC strains were further subtyped by PCR for the identification of intimin subtype genes α (alpha), β (beta), γ1 (gamma-1), and έ (epsilon). Antibiotic resistance and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) production was determined by Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines.

Results: Overall, 18 (4.5%) out of 400 children with acute diarrhea had EPEC infection.  Typical EPEC (tEPEC) strains were detected in 14 (3.5%), whereas 4 (1.1%) were atypical EPEC (aEPEC). A total of 15 (83.3%) of the EPEC isolated belonged to β intimin subtype gene, while the remaining 3 EPEC isolates possessed the intimin έ subtype. No α and γ intimin subtypes were detected. Traditional EPEC serotypes O114:H14 were detected only in tEPEC strains. Marked resistance to β-lactam agents were observed but no ESBL-producing tEPEC or aEPEC was detected.

Conclusions: This is the first report of intimin subtype genes in Abuja, Nigeria. EPEC isolates of diverse serotypes resistant to β-lactam antimicrobial agents were observed. These data will be useful in facilitating the characterization of intimin variants of EPEC and some Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) in humans and other animal species.

Author Biographies

Casmir Ifeanyichukwu Cajetan Ifeanyi, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Abuja, Abuja, Nigeria

Research Scientist Department of Microbiology Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Abuja, Nigeria

Nkiruka Florence Ikeneche, College of Health Science, University of Abuja, Abuja, Nigeria

Department of Medical Microbiology,
College of Health Science

Stefano Morabito, Istituto Superiore di Sanita, Rome, Italy

EU Reference Laboratory for E. coli, Department of Veterinary Public Health and Food Safety,

Caterina Graziani, Istituto Superiore di Sanita, Rome, Italy

EU Reference Laboratory for E. coli, Department of Veterinary Public Health and Food Safety,

Alfredo Caprioli, Istituto Superiore di Sanita, Rome, Italy

EU Reference Laboratory for E. coli, Department of Veterinary Public Health and Food Safety

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Published

2017-07-31

How to Cite

1.
Ifeanyi CIC, Ikeneche NF, Bassey BE, Morabito S, Graziani C, Caprioli A (2017) Molecular and phenotypic typing of enteropathogenic Escherichia coli isolated in childhood acute diarrhea in Abuja, Nigeria. J Infect Dev Ctries 11:527–535. doi: 10.3855/jidc.9338

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Section

Original Articles