ArticleMolecular biology reports2025
Uncovering hidden threats: prevalence, antibiotic resistance and virulence gene profiles of Escherichia coli strains isolated from Testudines and their aquatic habitats.
Article in Molecular biology reports, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.
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Who cites it
2 citing papers in PubMed.
- Virulence Traits and Drug Resistance of STEC Isolated from Layer Poultry andMicroorganisms · 2026Article
- Genotypic Profiling of Virulence and Antibiotic Resistance Genes ofInternational journal of microbiology · 2026Article
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Authors and funding
5 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundThe gut microbiota of Testudines is fundamental to their digestion and overall health, yet remains a poorly investigated area in their biology, particularly in wild freshwater turtle (terrapins) and tortoise populations within South Africa. This study investigated the occurrence, diversity, virulence genes and antibiotic resistance of Escherichia coli isolated from Testudine gut microbiota and sediments at Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, South Africa. METHODS AND
resultsCloacal swab samples were collected from 36 wild Testudines and 20 sediment samples from temporary and permanent water bodies. Presumed E. coli isolates were confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the β-D glucuronidase (uidA) gene and further validated through 16 S rRNA gene sequencing. Phenotypic antibiotic resistance was evaluated with the Kirby-Bauer method, whilst resistance and virulence genes were identified using PCR assays. E. coli was detected in 54 (62%) of 87 isolates (23 Testudines and 31 sediments), confirmed by uidA PCR assay. Detected virulence genes included eaeA (42%), virF (22%), stx1 (16%), and stx2 (3%), and isolates exhibited resistance to erythromycin (53%), cephalothin (48%), and spectinomycin (40%). Resistance genes such as mcr-4 (70%), bla
conclusionsThis study demonstrates that wild Testudines harbour E. coli in their gut and that it also occurs in their surrounding environment, with notable antibiotic resistance and virulence potential. The findings underscore the complexity of host-microbial interactions and the influence of environmental and host factors on microbial diversity, informing potential conservation and health management strategies for these reptilian species.
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