Prevalência, perfil de resistência e virulência de escherichia coli isolada de frangos comercializados em teresina-PI

The treatment of type II Escherichia coli stands out among the main pathogens causing foodborne illnesses, with the Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) pathotype of concern. This pathogenic group carries the stx1 and/or stx2 genes, encoding the Shiga toxin, and causes intoxication with clinical pictures of diarrhea and hemorrhagic colitis, which may progress to severe manifestations. Despite the importance of this microorganism in ruminant meat, its presence in poultry meat has been little investigated. This study aimed to evaluate the presence of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli in refrigerated chickens sold in the city of Teresina, Piauí, and characterize isolates obtained. The frequency of E. coli in the collected samples was 58.9% (63/107). It was observed that 12 strains were positive for O157 and 55.55% of the isolates had a multidrug resistance profile (MDR). None of the isolated strains had the stx1, stx2 or eae genes. Although the research did not reveal the presence of enterohemorrhagic or enteropathogenic E. coli in the analyzed samples, these results are of concern due to the presence of multiresistant E. coli in commercialized chicken meat in the municipality of Teresina, reinforcing the need to monitor the spread of multiresistant pathogens.