Comparative Analysis of Antimicrobial Resistance in Escherichia coli: Insights from Whole Genome Sequencing of Human and Animal Sources in Baghdad
The antimicrobial resistance (AMR) profiles of four Escherichia coli isolates, two from human fecal samples (H13 and H41) and two from animal fecal samples (A13 and A45), were investigated in this study, which were collected from different sites in Baghdad. Resistance genes, functional proteins, and genomic characteristics like contig number, genome length and GC content were determined by whole-genome sequencing (WGS). It confirmed significant differences in virulence and resistance potential of human and animal-derived isolates. The longest genome was A13 (13.4 Mbp), while A45 had the maximum GC content (53.19%). Higher counts of antibiotic resistance genes were seen in human isolates. Notably, isolates H41 and H13 were resistant to multiple classes of antibiotics as they carried genes, including blaCTX-M-15, qepA4, and aac(6')-Ib-cr, and those obtained from animals (A13 and A45) had significant resistance against quinolones and beta-lactams. Our findings highlight the need for AMR surveillance both in human and animal populations in order to capture the scope of the public health challenge posed by AMR pathogens, including the potential cross-transmission of resistant strains.