Antimicrobial resistance, pathogenicity and virulence patterns of Escherichia coli isolated from cockroaches (Blattella germanica) across diverse environments: a public health concern

Abstract

This investigation explores the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) of Escherichia coli isolated from Blattella germanica (cockroaches) from diverse locations, including homes, kitchens, and laboratories, over the course of six months, from August 2022 to January 2023. A total of 125 cockroaches were analyzed, yielding 67 (53%) of positive E. coli isolates, with kitchen environments having the highest incidence (57.77%). The existence of virulence genes (stx1, stx2, and rfbO157) was confirmed by pathogenicity assessments carried out on mouse model, which led to a considerable increase in morbidity and mortality. 82.08% of isolates showed evidence of resistance to at least one antibiotic, according to the antimicrobial susceptibility test with {beta}-lactams displaying the highest rates of resistance. Remarkably, complex resistance patterns were observed in 77.61% of the isolates, which were categorized as multidrug-resistant. Multiple antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) were found by molecular analysis, particularly blaTEM and tetA as well as virulence-associated genes (VAGs) linked to extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli. Phylogenetic grouping indicated that 90.38% of the MDR isolates belonged to virulent groups B2 and D. These findings highlight the role of cockroaches as potential reservoirs for pathogenic E. coli, raising significant public health concerns regarding AMR. The study underscores the imperative need for thorough investigation and feasible control strategies to ease the dissemination of AMR in diverse contexts.