First molecular evidence and antibiotic resistance profile of emerging enteropathogen Escherichia albertii from faeces of pet dogs from Chattogram, Bangladesh

Abstract

Escherichia albertii (E. albertii) is an emergent enteropathogen genetically identical to Escherichia coli (E. coli), often confused as E. coli phenotypically during routine diagnostic procedures. This pathogen possesses cytolethal distending toxin (cdt) responsible for the invasion and persistent colonization of this bacterium in the gut leading to enteric infections in humans and other animals. The present study attempted to explore the occurrence and antibiotic resistance profile of E. albertii derived from faeces of pet dogs and cats in Chattogram, Bangladesh. Faecal samples were collected aseptically from pet dogs (n=31) and cats (n=23) using sterile cotton swabs and stored in sterile buffered peptone water. After overnight enrichment in buffered peptone water, a loopful of the enriched broth was inoculated onto a selective media (XR-MacConkey) to isolate E. albertii.XR-MacConkey agar was prepared by supplementing MacConkey agar with D (+) Xylose and L (+) Rhamnose monohydrate. Inoculated samples on XR-MacConkey agar were incubated at 37°C for 24 hours. The visible white colonies were finally verified through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) by amplifying the gene fragments of E. albertii specific cytolethal distending toxin (Eacdt). E. albertii isolates were then tested for antimicrobial resistance against 12 selected antimicrobials by disk diffusion method. Two E. albertii isolates were positively identified in dog samples, while none of the cat samples were positive for E. albertii. Both E. albertii isolates from dogs showed multidrug resistance (MDR). The present study suggests that pet dogs may harbour E. albertii, which might be transmitted to humans in study areas.