ABSTRACT
The study was carried out to detect and characterize Endopathogenic Escherichia coli isolated from diarrheic dogs and cats and its antibiotic resistance. To perform this aim: a total of 90 rectal swabs were collected from diarrheic dogs [n=70] and cats [n=20] from different localities at Alexandria and screened for the presence of pathotype of E.cole using culture biochemically, serological, molecular identification and antibiotic sensitivity test. a total of 33 [36.6%] E. coli isolated and identified [26 isolates from dogs [37.1%] and 7 isolates from cats [35%]]. Hemolytic activity revealed 8 [6 from dogs and 2 from cats] and 4 [3 from dogs and 1 from cats] isolates with Alpha [alpha] and Beta [beta] hemolysis respectively. Serotyping of these 12 isolates revealed 2 [16.6%] were positive poly 2 [O: 127 K63], 1 [8%] isolate was positive poly 3 [O: 164 K-], 1 [8%] isolate was positive poly 1[O: 26 K 60] and 8[66.6%] isolates were serotyped as positive poly one. Polymerase chain reactions [PCR] revealed the presence of attaching and effacing gene [eaeA] in 4 [33.3%] isolates [3 from dogs [33.3%] and 1 from cat [33.3%]. However, none of the isolates were positive for Heat-labile [LT], heat-stable [STa] enterotoxin genes. Shiga toxin one [Stx 1] and shiga toxin two [Stx2] genes and bundle-forming pili [Bfp] gene. The highest rate of sensitivity was observed to Amikacin and Ofloxacin. And, the highest rate of resistance was observed to Cephalexin and Ampicillin sulbactam