Work

Distribution of Clba Gene and Its Correlation With Antimicrobial Resistance Patterns in MDR E. coli From Diverse Host Groups

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Multidrug-resistant (MDR) Escherichia coli (E. coli) represents a significant public health concern, particularly when harboring virulence genes such as clbA, which encodes the genotoxin colibactin. This study assessed the distribution of the clbA gene among MDR E. coli isolates from normal individuals, cancer patients, and clinical patients, and examined its association with antimicrobial resistance patterns. A total of 115 MDR E. coli isolates were collected from January to December 2024 at two healthcare centers in Nepal. The clbA gene was detected in 13.0% (15/115) of isolates, with a significantly higher prevalence in clinical patients (25.0%) compared to cancer patients (8.6%) and normal individuals (5.0%) (p = 0.0105). clbA-positive isolates exhibited markedly increased resistance to critical antibiotics, including imipenem (100% vs. 15.0%, p = 0.003), meropenem (100% vs. 12.5%, p = 0.001), and amikacin (100% vs. 10.0%, p = 0.050), compared to clbA-negative strains. These findings suggest that the presence of the colibactin-encoding clbA gene in MDR E. coli is linked to heightened antimicrobial resistance, especially in clinical settings, underscoring the need for targeted molecular surveillance and infection control strategies.

Source: MicrobiologyOpen

DOI: 10.1002/mbo3.70142

Authors: Soma Kanta Baral, Govardhan Joshi, Indira Parajuli, Krishna Das Manandhar, Pramod Poudel

Institutions: Tribhuvan University, Manmohan Memorial Institute of Health Sciences

Language: English

Topic: Antibiotic Resistance in Bacteria

Subfield: Molecular Medicine

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,540