Detection and characterization of shiga toxigenic E. coli (STEC) and enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) from diarrhoeic piglets in an organized farm in Kolkata

Escherichia coli were isolated from fecal samples of diarrhoeic piglets from an organized farm in Kolkata, West Bengal, India. All the E. coli strains (n=65) were characterized morphologically and antibiotic sensitivity assay. Virulence genes (stx(1), stx(2), eneA and hlyA) were detected by multiplex PCR assay. Sixty-five E. coli strains obtained from 35 fecal samples. Altogether, 6 serogroups were recorded, and 020 was the most prevalent. Out of 65 E coli strains, 6 (9.32%) carried at least one virulence gene of which 5 and 1 were identified as STEC and EPEC, respectively. Majority of the isolates were multi-drug resistant. Association of STEC and EPEC with diarrhoea in piglets indicates that these animal species represent as an important reservoir of these organisms for human infection in this part of the globe. Detection of multi-drug resistance STEC and EPEC with virulence genes in piglets also indicates the importance of this organism as a potential zoonotic threat to human population in this region.