Characterization of Extraintestinal Pathogenic Escherichia coli from Human Clinical and Poultry Samples

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Food Safety
• Public Health

Background:

• Extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli (ExPEC) cause severe human infections, including UTIs, bacteremia, and meningitis.
• ExPEC are frequently found in poultry products, posing a potential food safety risk.
• The zoonotic potential and foodborne transmission routes of ExPEC remain largely uncharacterized.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize ExPEC isolated from poultry and human clinical samples.
• To assess ExPEC's sanitizer tolerance, biofilm formation, antibiotic susceptibility, and adherence to human intestinal cells.
• To investigate the potential of poultry-derived ExPEC to colonize the human gut and cause infections.

Main Methods:

• ExPEC strains were isolated from poultry meat and human clinical samples.
• Sanitizer tolerance and biofilm formation assays were performed.
• Antibiotic susceptibility testing was conducted.
• Adherence to Caco-2 cells (human intestinal epithelial line) was measured.

Main Results:

• Low frequencies of sanitizer tolerance (2.4%) and biofilm formation (6%) were observed.
• Poultry-derived ExPEC showed significantly lower antibiotic susceptibility (27.9%) compared to human clinical ExPEC (55%).
• A high percentage (62.8%) of poultry ExPEC adhered to human intestinal cells, comparable to E. coli O157:H7.

Conclusions:

• The human gastrointestinal tract may act as a reservoir for poultry-derived ExPEC after consumption.
• Poultry ExPEC possess traits enabling adherence to human intestinal epithelia, indicating zoonotic potential.
• Food safety interventions are crucial to mitigate the risk of ExPEC infections originating from poultry products.