Whole genome sequencing of Shiga Toxin-producing Escherichia coli from Argentine. Escherichia coli

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) is a foodborne zoonotic pathogen capable of causing diarrhea, hemorrhagic colitis, and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) in humans. This pathogen is responsible for large outbreaks in several countries. The infection by STEC is considered a leading public health issue. In Argentina, HUS is the leading cause of acute kidney failure in children and the second major cause of chronic renal failure. Cattle are the primary animal reservoir of this pathogen and STEC infection in humans is associated mainly with the ingestion of products derived from cattle as meat or dairy. STEC serogroup O157 is responsible by the more several HUS cases and several outbreaks. The high genomic plasticity the STEC genomes harbor contributes to the genetic variability observed among isolates. This variability is related mainly to the acquisition of genes through horizontal gene transfer (HGT). Many of these genes are inside mobile genetic elements (MGE) such as prophage, plasmids, and genomic islands (GEIs). Currently, next-generation sequencing (NGS) is often employed to perform whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of STEC isolates. Our goal is applied whole genome sequencing to identify the genetic variability, help understand its epidemiology and provide insight into its molecular basis of virulence and pathogenicity.