Genomic Insights into Non-Lactose Fermenting (NLF) Clinical Escherichia coli Isolates

The pathogenic strains of E. coli belong to both lactose fermenting and non-lactose fermenting E. coli types. However, in routine diagnostic testing little attention is given to atypical strains of E. coli, particularly the non-lactose fermenting E. coli. This study aims to decipher the population structure, and other genomic characteristics of NLF E. coli from stool and urine samples isolated at a referral diagnostic centre (icddr,b) in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Studies such as these will inform us about the evolutionary trajectories of atypical E. coli variants and shed light on their clinical and public health significance.