Comparative Genomics of Three Hybrid-Pathogen Multidrug-Resistant <i>Escherichia coli</i> Strains Isolated from Healthy Donors’ Feces

Abstract

The present study shows the genomic characterization of three pathogenic Escherichia coli hybrid strains. All strains were previously characterized as diarrheagenic pathotypes (DEC), obtained from feces. The three sequenced strains have genes that encode adhesins (fimH and iha) and iron uptake systems (iucC and iutA). Antibiotic resistance genes were also found for fluoroquinolone and aminoglycoside families in the three strains. The presence of genomic islands (GIs) in the sequenced study strains presented 100% identity (Ec-25.2) and 99% identity (Ec-36.1) with previously reported Extraintestinal Pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC) strains. The Ec-36.4 strain shared a 99% identity with GI from the Enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) pathotype of the diarrheagenic E. coli strain. Ec-25.2 belongs to ST69 and harbors a FimH27 variant, while Ec-36.1 and Ec-36.4 belong to ST4238 and share a FimH54 variant. Four incompatibility groups associated with conjugative plasmids were identified (IncFIB, IncF11, IncI1, and IncB/O/K/Z), as well as Insertion Sequences and MITEs elements.

Keywords

• <i>Escherichia coli</i>
• hybrid pathogens
• diarrheagenic pathotype
• genome
• healthy donors