Plasmid Profile and Characterization of Escherichia coli Isolated from Diabetic Foot Ulcers in Imo State, South Eastern Nigeria

Background: The study aimed at evaluating the plasmid profile and characterization of E. coli isolated from chronic diabetic foot ulcers among patients in Imo State, South East Nigeria. Methods: A total of 150 wound swab samples were collected and analyzed. Standard microbiological methods processed samples. Antibiogram was done by Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Tests were conducted to determine biofilm potential, ESBL and AmpC production. Plasmid profiling was done by the alkaline lysis method and Gel electrophoresis. Results: Based on the results, out of the 150 swab samples, 61(40.6%) E. coli isolates were recovered. 57.8%, 32.8%, and 8.2% of the E. coli isolates were positive for biofilm formation, ESBL, and AmpC production, respectively. Further, the study revealed a pattern of multiple-drug resistance of E. coli to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (96.7%), septrin (95.1%), and ampicillin (93.4%). Conclusion: Analysis of the multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) index showed that the organism had MAR index values above the low-risk region (≤0.2) for all the tested antibiotics. Post-curring antibiogram tests revealed that nine isolates carried plasmids, suggesting that the mode of resistance may be plasmid-mediated. Findings could act as a therapeutic guide for antibiotic prescriptions in this environment.