Molecular and Genomic Analysis of the Virulence Factors and Potential Transmission of Hybrid Enteropathogenic and Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (EPEC/ETEC) Strains Isolated in South Korea

Hybrid strains Escherichia coli acquires genetic characteristics from multiple pathotypes and is speculated to be more virulent; however, understanding their pathogenicity elusive. Here, we performed genome-based characterization of the hybrid enteropathogenic (EPEC) enterotoxigenic E. (ETEC), that cause diarrhea mortality in children. The virulence genes isolated different sources South Korea were identified, phylogenetic positions analyzed. EPEC/ETEC harbored eae est encoding attaching effacing lesions heat-stable enterotoxins EPEC ETEC, respectively. Genome-wide phylogeny revealed all hybrids (n = 6) closely related strains, implying potential acquisition ETEC during ETEC/EPEC emergence. represented diverse serotypes (O153:H19 3), O49:H10 2), O71:H19 1)) sequence types (ST546, n 4; ST785, 2). Furthermore, toxin-encoding plasmids possessing estA various other transporters, including nleH2, hlyA, hlyB, hlyC, hlyD, espC, espP, phage endopeptidase Rz, holin, identified. These findings provide insights into may aid comparative studies, characterization, evolutionary biology.