Age Related Differences in Phylogenetic Diversity, Prevalence of Shiga Toxins, Intimin, Hemolysin Genes and Select Serogroups of Escherichia. Coli from Pastured Meat Goats Detected in a Longitudinal Cohort Study

Overview

Journal BMC Vet Res

Publisher Biomed Central

Specialty Veterinary Medicine

Date 2020 Aug 1

PMID 32731899

Citations 2

Authors

Eunice Ndegwa

Aber Alahmde

Chyer Kim

Paul Kaseloo

Dahlia OBrien

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Little is known on significance, diversity and characteristics of gut E. coli in goats despite their importance as food animals globally. We characterized the temporal dynamics in diversity of E. coli in fecal samples from a cohort of goat kids and adult meat goats on pasture over a one-year period. Isolates were characterized based on phylogenetic grouping, virulence genes; shiga toxins 1 and 2 (Stx1&Stx2) (STEC), intimin (eaeA), hemolysin (hly) and select important sero-groups (026, 045, 0103, 0126 and 0146) using molecular methods.

Results: A total of 516 E. coli isolates were screened. Prevalence of virulence genes and STEC was 65 and 56% respectively. Prevalence of virulence genes and STEC was significantly higher in goat kids less than six months (76% /66%) than adults (48% /28%). Isolates with virulence profiles of two or more genes were also higher in young goat kids (50%) than adults (20%). Entero-pathogenic E. coli (EPEC-eaeA gene only) were mostly from pre-weaned goat kids while hly gene only isolates were significantly higher in adults. The stx1, stx2 and hly genes peaked around weaning (60, 63 and 52%) respectively. Goats kids were mostly hosts to group D (59%) while adults older than one year had B1 (75%) isolates. Group D isolates were most abundant at weaning (64%) and diarrhea samples (74%). Group B2 isolates overall (6%) were mostly detected around weaning (63%) while A isolates were 4% overall. Twenty-four isolates belonged to sero-groups 026, 0103 and 0146 with 70% of the isolates detected around weaning. Nineteen of these isolates were STEC with most harboring the stx1/stx2/hly/eae (25%) profile. Most belonged to O26 sero-group (75%) and phylogroup D (75%).

Conclusion: To our knowledge this is the first study to highlight longitudinal age related differences in E. coli phylogenetic diversity, abundance of virulence genes and select important sero-groups in goats. Differences detected suggest a possible role of age and weaning stress in influencing E. coli diversity in the gut of goats. The findings are relevant to both animal and public health to advise on further studies on caprine E. coli isolates as animal and human pathogens.

Citing Articles

Shiga Toxin Subtypes, Serogroups, Phylogroups, RAPD Genotypic Diversity, and Select Virulence Markers of Shiga-Toxigenic Strains from Goats in Mid-Atlantic US.

Ndegwa E, OBrien D, Matthew K, Wang Z, Kim J Microorganisms. 2022; 10(9).

PMID: 36144444 PMC: 9505625. DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10091842.

Molecular surveillance of shiga toxigenic Escherichia coli in selected beef abattoirs in Osun State Nigeria.

Ayoade F, Oguzie J, Eromon P, Omotosho O, Ogunbiyi T, Olumade T Sci Rep. 2021; 11(1):13966.

PMID: 34234223 PMC: 8263744. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-93347-w.

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