Genomic characterization of endemic diarrheagenic Escherichia coli and Escherichia albertii from infants with diarrhea in Vietnam.

• Published in: PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases
• Main Authors: Atsushi Iguchi, Taichiro Takemura, Yoshitoshi Ogura, Thi Thu Huong Nguyen, Taisei Kikuchi, Miki Okuno, Asako Tokizawa, Hanako Iwashita, Hong Quynh Anh Pham, Thi Hang Doan, Na Ly Tran, Thi Luong Tran, Thi Hang Nguyen, Thi Hien Tran, Tuyet Ngoc Linh Pham, Trung Duc Dao, Thi My Hanh Vu, Thi Nga Nguyen, Hieu Vu, Van Trang Nguyen, Thi Thu Huong Vu, Thanh Huong Le, Tuan Anh Lai, Tuan Cuong Ngo, Futoshi Hasebe, Dong Tu Nguyen, Tetsu Yamashiro
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2023
• Subjects: Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine; RC955-962; Public aspects of medicine; RA1-1270; Arctic
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0011259; https://doaj.org/article/b4bab57dd29f4fbfb17c7f6a234b6400

Background Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli (DEC) is a group of bacterial pathogens that causes life-threatening diarrhea in children in developing countries. However, there is limited information on the characteristics of DEC isolated from patients in these countries. A detailed genomic analysis of 61 DEC-like isolates from infants with diarrhea was performed to clarify and share the characteristics of DEC prevalent in Vietnam. Principal findings DEC was classified into 57 strains, including 33 enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC) (54.1%), 20 enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) (32.8%), two enteroinvasive E. coli (EIEC) (3.3%), one enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC), and one ETEC/EIEC hybrid (1.6% each), and surprisingly into four Escherichia albertii strains (6.6%). Furthermore, several epidemic DEC clones showed an uncommon combination of pathotypes and serotypes, such as EAEC Og130:Hg27, EAEC OgGp9:Hg18, EAEC OgX13:H27, EPEC OgGp7:Hg16, and E. albertii EAOg1:HgUT. Genomic analysis also revealed the presence of various genes and mutations associated with antibiotic resistance in many isolates. Strains that demonstrate potential resistance to ciprofloxacin and ceftriaxone, drugs recommended for treating childhood diarrhea, accounted for 65.6% and 41%, respectively. Significance Our finding indicate that the routine use of these antibiotics has selected resistant DECs, resulting in a situation where these drugs do not provide in therapeutic effects for some patients. Bridging this gap requires continuous investigations and information sharing regarding the type and distribution of endemic DEC and E. albertii and their antibiotic resistance in different countries.