Colibactin possessing E. coli isolates in association with colorectal cancer and their genetic diversity among Pakistani population

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most prevalent cause of tumorigenesis and several pathogenic bacteria have been correlated with aggressive cases of cancer i.e., genotoxin (colibactin) producing Escherichia coli (E. coli). This study was designed to investigate the genetic diversity of clb⁺clb⁺E. coli strains and their association with CRC. Pathogenic E. coli isolates from colorectal biopsies were characterized based on phylotypes, antibiotic resistance pattern, and (Enterobacterial Repetitive Intergenic Consensus Sequence-based Polymerase Chain Reaction) ERIC-PCR. Furthermore, isolates were screened for the presence of the Pks (polyketide synthase) Island specifically targeting colibactin genes A and Q. The selective clb⁺clb⁺ isolates were subjected to cytotoxicity assay using Human embryonic kidney (HEK) cell lines. We revealed that 43.47% of the cancer-associated E. coli isolates were from phylogroup B2 comparatively more pathogenic than rest while in the case of healthy controls no isolate was found from B2. Moreover, 90% were found positive for colibactin and pks (polyketide synthase) island, while none of the healthy controls were found positive for colibactin genes. All healthy and cancer-associated isolates were tested against 15 antibiotic agents, we observed that cancer-associated isolates showed a wide range of resistance from 96% against Nalidixic acid to 48% against Doxycycline. Moreover, E. coli isolates were further genotyped using ERIC-PCR, and selected clb⁺clb⁺E. coli isolates were subjected to cytotoxicity assay. We recorded the significant cytotoxic activity of clb+clb+ E. coli phylogroup B2 isolates that might have contributed towards the progression of CRC or dysbiosis of healthy gut microbiota protecting against CRC pathogenesis. Our results revealed a significant p<0.023 association of dietary habits and hygiene p<0.001with CRC. This is the first study to report the prevalence of E. coli phylogroups and the role of colibactin most virulent phylogroup B2 among Pakistani individuals from low socioeconomic setup.