Prevalence, antibiotic resistance, and molecular characterization of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp. in infants with diarrhea | ||
| Microbes and Infectious Diseases | ||
| Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 19 October 2025 | ||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||
| DOI: 10.21608/mid.2025.409844.3073 | ||
| Authors | ||
| Hawraa Abbas Khudhur1; Hakeem Jawad Kadhim* 1; Safaa Hussien Ali2 | ||
| 1Department of Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, University of Shatrah, Shatrah, Thi-Qar, Iraq | ||
| 2Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, College of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, University of Shatrah, Shatrah, Thi-Qar, Iraq | ||
| Abstract | ||
| Background: Escherichia coli and Klebsiella species are significant Gram-negative pathogens responsible for infantile diarrhea, contributing to considerable morbidity and posing serious public health concerns. This study aimed to determine the prevalence, phenotypic characteristics, molecular identification, and antibiotic resistance profiles of these organisms in infants with acute diarrhea in Dhi Qar Governorate, Iraq. Methods: A total of 100 stool samples were collected from infants suffering from acute diarrhea. Samples were cultured on MacConkey agar, and presumptive colonies were identified using the Vitek 2 automated system. Molecular identification was performed by PCR amplification of the 16S rRNA gene, followed by sequencing and BLAST analysis. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was conducted to determine resistance profiles. Results: Of the 100 samples, E. coli was the most prevalent pathogen (59%), followed by K. spp (24%), and other types of bacteria (17%). PCR amplification produced clear 353 bp bands for all tested isolates, indicating specific amplification. Sequence analysis confirmed 100% identity between selected isolates and reference strains of E. coli and K. variicola. Antibiotic susceptibility testing revealed high resistance among E. coli isolates to cefazolin, cefuroxime, and trimethoprim, but sensitivity to carbapenems, including meropenem and imipenem. K. spp demonstrated similar resistance patterns but were 100% sensitive to meropenem, ceftazidime/avibactam, and tigecycline. Conclusion: This study highlights a high prevalence of multidrug-resistant E. coli and K. spp in infants with diarrhea. Continuous antimicrobial resistance monitoring, rational antibiotic use, and the application of molecular diagnostics are essential for effective management and infection control in pediatric populations. | ||
| Keywords | ||
| Antibiotic resistance; Enteric pathogens; PCR; Pediatric diarrhea; Vitek system | ||
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