Whole genome sequencing reveals virulence-mobile element linkages and phylogenetic diversity in multidrug-resistant <i>Escherichia coli</i> from Nigeria.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli poses a critical public health threat in Nigeria, where limited genomic surveillance hinders the understanding of virulence-resistance interplay.

Methods

This cross-sectional study employed whole-genome sequencing to characterize 107 MDR-E isolates from a Nigerian tertiary hospital (2019-2020), analyzing virulence genes, mobile genetic elements (MGEs), phylogroups, sequence types (STs), pathotypes, and antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

Results

We identified 2,021 virulence genes across nine functional categories, dominated by immune evasion (terC, 96.3%), adherence (fimH, 86%), and iron acquisition (fyuA, 63.6%). Strikingly, 81.3% of virulence genes were linked to MGEs, including MITEEc1 (75.7%

SUBMITTER: Medugu N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12092460 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature