The aim of this study was to detect virulence genes and drug resistance genes in pathogenic Escherichia coli (E.coli) isolated from diarrhea calves feces and to detect drug resistance phenotypes, and genotypic. As a result, a total of 22 strains of E.coli were separated and identified, but only 18 strains were pathogenic. The virulence gene test showed that the LT, Stx1, F5, F6, and irp2 gene detection rate were 66.67% (12/18), 16.67% (3/18), 55.56% (10/18), 44.44% (8/18) and 16.67% (3/18), respectively. Antibiotic susceptibility tests showed that the isolates were susceptible to Kanamycin and Florfenicol and resistant to Cefalotin (94.44%) and the like. Resistance gene tet (A), gryA, parC, sulI, sulII, sulIII, blaTEM, blaCTX-m, blaSHV, aac (3)-II, aac (6 ')-Ib and rmtB detection rate are 77.78% (14/18), 44.44% (8/18), 55.56% (10/18), 22.22% (4/18), 11.11% (2/18), 11.11% (2/18), 77.78 % (14/18), 5.56% (1/18), 44.44% (8/18), 50% (9/18), 55.56% (10/18), and 27.78% (5/18), respectively. ERIC-PCR (repetitive intergenic consensus-polymerase chain reaction) classified 18 pathogenic E.coli into 4 distinct genotypes, and all strains carrying the LT virulence gene were brought together, but there was no link between drug resistance genes and genotypic. The results of this study provids experimental evidence for the prevention, control pathogenic E. coli disease in calves.

To Cite This Article: Liao Z, Chen X, Li Z, Gao Y and Hu S, 2019. Molecular detection of virulence and drug resistance genes of pathogenic Escherichia coli from calves in Chongqing, China. Pak Vet J, 39(3): 423-427. http://dx.doi.org/10.29261/pakvetj/2019.011