Molecular Characterisation of Diarrhoeagenic Escherichia coli Isolated from Captive and Free-Ranging Papio anubis Faecal Samples

Abstract

Background: Escherichia coli is a normal inhabitant of the mammalian gut, but it also exists in a number of pathogenic forms. Diarrhoeagenic E. coli constitute pathotypes that are responsible for fatal infections in humans. Increasing contact between humans and non-human primates provides an opportunity for the transfer of potential pathogens between host species. This study aimed to characterise diarrhoeagenic E. coli pathotypes isolated from baboon faecal samples. Methods: E. coli were isolated from faecal samples of 124 animals using culture-based methods. Characterisation was achieved by isolating deoxyribonucleic acid from pure isolates and subjecting them to PCR, using specific primers for detection of virulence genes. Results: Four E. coli pathotypes including enterotoxigenic, enteropathogenic, enterohaemorrhagic and enteroinvasive were detected from baboon faecal samples. The most prevalent pathotypes were enterotoxigenic (14.5%) and atypical enteropathogenic (14.5%) in the captive and the free-ranging populations respectively. However, the observed differences in the pathotype detection were not significant (p>0.05). Enteroaggregative and diffusely adherent E. coli were not detected from any of the study samples. Conclusion: Olive baboons harbour diarrhoeagenic E. coli pathotypes; hence, the species could be a potential source of zoonotic transmission.