Genetic Diversity and Potential Transmission of Escherichia albertii in a Poultry-Breeding Rural Village

Abstract

Escherichia albertii is an emerging foodborne pathogen that causes diarrhea. Although various animals, especially poultry, serve as reservoirs of E. albertii, the transmission of E. albertii among reservoirs and the associated risks to humans remain unclear. This study investigated an E. albertii-infected infant exposed to poultry, and collected samples from contact persons, poultry, and the environment to better understand the transmission dynamics of E. albertii. One E. albertii isolate from a contact person, seven isolates from poultry, and six isolates from the environment were recovered. Whole-genome sequencing analysis showed that eight strains derived from poultry or environment and classified as ST4633 shared great similarity (core genome single-nucleotide polymorphisms [cgSNPs] ≤20). However, the patient-derived strain ESA311 had a cgSNP difference of 1165 with the human strain ESA339 and differed from poultry and environmental strains (cgSNP range 2417–14997), indicating distant relatedness. The whole-genome phylogeny showed that several human-derived E. albertii strains clustered with those of animal origin. Our results suggest that family-bred poultry constitute a possible reservoir for E. albertii, with the environment acting as a crucial vector for the spread of these bacteria and posing a risk to humans. Further surveillance of poultry is required to elucidate the public health risks associated with E. albertii infections.