Isolation and molecular characterization of Shiga-toxin producing Escherichia coli from betel leaf (Piper betel L.)

Abstract

Objectives: This study was designed to determine the Shiga-toxin producing genes and investigate antibiotic sensitivity patterns of the Escherichia (E.) coli isolated from ready-to-eat betel leaf from different roadside vendors. Materials and Methods: A total of 100 samples from the Bangladesh Agricultural University surroundings area were collected and screened for the detection of E. coli based on cultural, staining, and biochemical properties, followed by molecular characterization using genus-specific 16SrRNA primers by Polymerase Chain Reaction. stx-1 positive E. coli’s antimicrobial sensitivity pattern was determined by the disc diffusion method against ten antimicrobial agents. Results: According to this study, 44 out of 100 samples were confirmed to be associated with E. coli. Further, 44 positive E. coli were analyzed for stx-1 and stx-2 genes by duplex-PCR. From the results, two isolates were confirmed to be positive for the presence of the stx-1 gene, but no isolate was found to be positive for the stx-2 gene. The antimicrobial sensitivity test revealed that Ciprofloxacin was the most sensitive antimicrobial agent against the Shiga-toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), followed by Ceftriaxone and Levofloxacin. On the other hand, Amoxycillin and Cephradine were found to be highly resistant. Conclusion: Shiga-toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) is an important diarrheal pathogen that leads to watery to bloody diarrhea, hemorrhagic colitis, and hemolytic uremic syndrome in humans. From the study, Levofloxacin and Ciprofloxacin can be recommended as effective drugs to control STEC infections in humans. [Vet. Res. Notes 2021; 1(2.000): 12-16]

Keywords

• stec; betel leaf; antibiotic sensitivity; duplex-pcr