Genetic diversity and potential transmission of Escherichia albertii in a poultry breeding rural village.

Abstract

Escherichia albertii is an emerging foodborne pathogen causing diarrhea. Though various animals, especially poultry, serve as reservoirs, the transmission of E. albertii among reservoirs and the risk to humans remain unclear. This study investigated an E. albertii infected infant with poultry exposure and collected samples from contact persons, poultries, and environment to better understand the transmission dynamics of E. albertii. One E. albertii isolate from contact person, seven isolates from poultries, and six isolates from environment were recovered, respectively. Whole genome sequencing analysis showed that eight strains derived from poultry or environment and classified as ST4633, shared great similarity (cgSNP ≤ 20). However, the patient-derived strain ESA311 had a cgSNP difference of 1165 with human strain ESA339, and differed from poultry and environmental strains (cgSNP range 2417 to 14997), suggesting a distant relatedness. Whole genome phylogeny showed several human-derived E. albertii strains were clustered with those from animal origins. Our results suggested that family-breeding poultry constituted a possible reservoir of E. albertii, with the environment acting as a crucial vector for the spread of these bacteria, posing a risk to humans. Further poultry surveillance is needed to elucidate public health risks associated with E. albertii infection.