Virulence Gene Profiles of Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli: A Comparative Analysis of Pathotypes Isolated from Acute Diarrheal Patients

Abstract

Diarrheal diseases continue to pose a significant global public health challenge, particularly affecting children under five years of age, and are a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide.  

Escherichia coli is recognized as a primary etiological agent of diarrhea, with various pathogenic strains collectively known as diarrheagenic E. coli (DEC). This research aimed to identify and comparatively analyze the virulence gene profiles of different DEC pathotypes isolated from acute diarrheal patients, thereby enhancing the understanding of their epidemiology and clinical significance.  

Stool samples collected from acute diarrheal patients were subjected to comprehensive molecular characterization using a multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) assay. This assay specifically targeted key virulence genes associated with the major DEC pathotypes, including enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC), enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC/STEC), enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC), enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC), enteroinvasive E. coli (EIEC), and diffusely adherent E. coli (DAEC).