Molecular Characterization and Plasmid Curing of Multidrug Resistant Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli Isolated from Some Fecal and Water Samples in Port Harcourt Metropolis

Public health is at risk due to the fact that enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) is becoming resistant to most antibiotics that demonstrates widespread misuse of antibiotics. The study was aimed at molecularly identify and perform plasmid curing with extracts of Morinda citrifolia (MC) and Xylopia aethiopica (XA) on multidrug resistant EHEC isolates that are obtained from some fecal and water samples in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. After isolation of E. coli, eleven (11) E. coli isolates were identified as EHEC. The Molecular Identification of seven (7) most resistant isolates using PCR confirmed 100% EHEC isolates. Of the 7 resistant EHEC isolates, the AmpC Gene and blaTEM Gene were detected in 71.4% and 42.9% respectively. Results of plasmid curing test revealed that the extracts of Xylopia aethiopica, Morinda citrifolia and Acridine Orange used as the control reduced the total percentage of multiple antibiotic resistant EHEC isolates from 35.61% to 10.61%, 18.18% and 16.67%, respectively. The extracts had the ability to cure plasmids, with X. aethiopica extract being the most successful against resistant EHEC isolates. In conclusion, this investigation revealed the genetic makeup of EHEC strains, detected their resistance genes and demonstrated the curing of the plasmids of resistant EHEC isolates found in fecal and water samples from the study area, both of which constitute a serious risk to public health.