Spread of ESβL-producing Escherichia coli and the anti-virulence effect of graphene nano-sheets.

Despite the studies worldwide, the prevalence of ESβL E. coli in the Iraq is still unknown. Realization of the demographic characterization of ESβL E. coli infections will assist the prevention efforts. This study aimed to isolate clinical E. coli, determine their antimicrobial susceptibility, phenotypic and genotypic detection of ESβL-producing ability, detection of some virulence-related genes, estimate the impact of graphene nano-sheets as antibacterial, and study the adherence-related gene expressions in E. coli isolates. Graphene nano-sheets were synthesized and characterized using XRD, UV, TEM, and SEM. E. coli isolates were identified using 16S rRNA. Antibiotic resistance was detected, virulence genes (blaTEM, blaSHV, BlaCTX-M-15, papC, and fimH) were screened using PCR. The antibacterial activity of graphene nano-sheets was screened using well-diffusion assay and MIC. The gene expression of adherence genes after treatment with graphene nano-sheets was evaluated using QRT-PCR. From a total of 512 identified using 16S rRNA, 359 (69.9%) were ESβL-producing E. coli. The ESβL genotypes positive were 83.56% (300/359) of E. coli isolates with the frequencies: 85% for blaCTX-M gene, 26% for blaSHV gene, and 28% for blaTEM gene. Graphene nano-sheets showed effective antibacterial activity with MIC 25 µg/ml. Furthermore, graphene nano-sheets reduced the expression of papC, and fimH genes. This study has helped us to better understand the characteristics of ESβL E. coli, their adherence gene harboring, and the potential ability of graphene nano-sheets to reduce bacterial growth, and the expression of adherence genes. Furthermore, the current study showed further step to understand the mechanisms by which graphene nano-sheets can conflict bacterial virulence and resistance.