Abstract

Background:
The emergence of antibiotic-resistant Escherichia coli (E. coli) strains carrying diverse virulence genes poses significant public health risks. Transmission through the food supply chain necessitates comprehensive studies on clinical and food-derived isolates.

Aim:
This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of virulence factors, antibiotic resistance phenotypes, and resistance gene profiles in E. coli isolates from clinical specimens and chicken meat samples.

Methods:
A total of 170 samples were collected (90 human clinical specimens and 80 chicken meat samples). Isolation and identification of E. coli were performed using culture-based techniques, biochemical assays, and PCR amplification targeting the 16S rRNA gene. Antibiotic susceptibility was assessed against multiple classes of antibiotics. PCR was used to identify virulence and antibiotic resistance genes.

Results:
E. coli was isolated from 44.44% of clinical specimens and 45% of chicken meat samples. Antibiotic resistance was highest for erythromycin (85.52%) and tetracycline (76.31%), with clinical isolates generally more resistant than chicken meat-derived isolates. Multidrug resistance (MAR index = 1) was observed in clinical isolates (pattern AH1) and several chicken meat isolates (pattern AO1). Virulence genes fimH (76.31%), aerA (69.73%), and papC (65.78%) were highly prevalent, with clinical isolates exhibiting a higher virulence profile diversity compared to chicken meat isolates.

Conclusion:
The high prevalence of multidrug resistance and virulence factors among E. coli isolates underscores a potential public health risk and highlights the necessity for stringent surveillance and antibiotic stewardship in both clinical and food industry settings.

Key words: Antibiotic Resistance; E. coli; Food safety; Virulence factors; Zoonotic transmission.