Bioinformatics analysis of clinical isolates of Escherichia coli from Nigeria and other countries for quinolone and fluoroquinolone resistance

Udochi A. Ugo 1, *, Ebele Onuigbo 1, Iniekong Philip Udoh 2, Miriam Goodness Udochukwu Nwaneri 3, Mohamed Alawami 4, Gonesh Chandra Saha 5, Chukwunonso Mabel Eduzor 6, Samson O. Aisida 7, Lilian Ngozi Chukwuma 8 and Nosa Aima Airenobuwa 9

1 Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
2 Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus. 
3 Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.
4 Department of Physics, University of Cambridge.
5 Department of Computer Science & Information Technology, Faculty of Graduate Studies Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University (BSMRAU), Gazipur 1706. Bangladesh.
6 Department of Science Laboratory Technology (SLT), Federal Polytechnic Oko, Anambra State, Nigeria.
7 Department of Physics and Astronomy, Faculty of Physical Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka 410001, Nigeria.
8 Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Microbiology unit, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Anambra State, Nigeria.
9 Department of Biological Sciences, Glorious Vision University, Ogwa, Edo State, Nigeria. 
 
Magna Scientia Advanced Research and Reviews, 2024, 11(01), 092–110
Article DOI: 10.30574/msarr.2024.11.1.0076
Publication history: 
Received on 30 March 2024; revised on 08 May 2024; accepted on 10 May 2024
 
Abstract: 
Quinolones were the drugs of choice for the treatment of bacterial infections, especially, infections caused by Gram negative bacteria. Unfortunately, these drugs have been resisted by the microbial agents including Escherichia coli, known to be the leading cause of Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) globally. This study therefore was aimed at detecting all the genes involved in Quinolone resistance by the E. coli pathogen isolated from Nigeria and from other geographical regions, using robust techniques. Twenty-three sequence data files of Escherichia coli from various countries of the world were retrieved from the National Centre for biotechnology Information (NCBI) database and sent for genome assembly for processing of the short reads into long reads. The outcome was config. fasta files which were comprehensively annotated and characterized for genetic functions and mechanisms.  A total of 208   antibiotic resistance genes were detected, out of which 27(13.0%) were linked to quinolone resistance and 14(6.7%) to multi- drug resistance. The result of this study significantly implicated many genes in quinolone resistance; notably were the efflux pump genes and their high percentage abundance. We recommend in-depth study of the genes for their expression capabilities, also the structure and features of the efflux pump genes to enable proper redesigning of drugs by integrating anti efflux pump substances that will selectively prevent the expression of the genes for antibiotic resistance, without any harm to the host, or that can destabilize the positive regulation of the operon for antibiotic resistance.
 
Keywords: 
Quinolone Resistance; Bacterial Infections; Escherichia coli. Antibiotic Efflux; Antimicrobial; Bioinformatics
 
Full text article in PDF: