Prevalence of Virulence Genes Associated with Diarrheagenic Pathotypes ofEscherichia coliIsolates from Water, Sediment, Fish, and Crab in Aby Lagoon, Côte d’Ivoire

This study was conducted to characterize virulence genes ofEscherichia coliisolates from water, sediment, fish, and crab in Aby Lagoon. Serogrouping was performed by EPEC antisera in 113E. colistrains. The presence of diarrhea-associated genes(eae, stx, AggR, elt,andest)was assessed by multiplex PCR using specific primers. Based on the multiplex PCR, sixty-two isolates (42 from water, 19 from sediment, and 1 from crab) were positive for virulence genes, including 34 positive forelt(ETEC), 46 positive forest(ETEC),24 positive for botheltandest,6 positive forstx(EHEC), 1 positive for bothstx+est, and 1 positive for bothstx+elt.Geneseae(EPEC) andAggR(EAEC) were not detected. Nine serogroups (O114, O127, O55, O111, O86, O119, O126, O128, and O142) were identified. This study revealed the presence of diarrheagenic and nondiarrheagenicE. coliand potential public health risks if fishery products are not appropriately cooked.