Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli (STEC) Associated with Calf Mortality in Uruguay

In Uruguay, the mortality of dairy calves due to infectious diseases is high. Escherichia coli a natural inhabitant intestinal microbiota, but can cause several infections. The aim work was characterize E. isolates from and extraintestinal origin dead newborn calves. Using PCR, virulence gene characteristics pathogenic were searched. molecularly characterized phylogroup, serogroup Stx subtype determined. Antibiotic susceptibility determined using Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion method plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) genes with PCR. Finally, clonal relationships inferred PFGE. Gene Shiga toxin-producing (STEC), Enteropathogenic (EPEC) Necrotoxigenic (NTEC) identified. prevalence iucD, afa8E, f17, papC, stx1, eae ehxA high no f5, f41, saa, sfaDE, cdtIV, lt, sta or stx2 detected. STEC stx1 in stood out higher compared previous studies conducted live calves, LEE+ (Enterohemorrhagic (EHEC)) stx1/eae/ehxA genotypes more frequently identified than environment. assigned phylogroups A, B1, D E, some belonged O111 serogroup. stx1a stx1c subtypes STEC. A multi-resistance among qnrB PFGE showed diversity strains similar genetic profiles. It be speculated that EHEC (stx1/eae/ehxA) could play an important role mortality. f17G1 papC also have calf Multidrug defies disease treatment increases risk death, while potential transmissibility other species constitutes threat public health.