Complete genome sequence and description of Escherichia coli isolated from fresh vegetables in Baghdad, Iraq

Raw vegetables and fresh vegetables, canned tomato salads, and cooked sauces are common and good ways to help make up a healthy plate of food. However, the number of foodborne disease outbreaks associated with fresh fruits and vegetables has increased, with E. coli being the most commonly identified pathogen. Some forms of E. coli are pathogens that can cause serious health problems in humans, such as hemolytic uremic syndrome, hemorrhagic colitis, and diarrhea. The complete genome sequence of E. coli isolated from vegetables in Baghdad, Iraq, is described. Fifty vegetable samples (collected from various markets) were subjected to tests for E. coli contamination in the present investigation. Bacterial isolates were characterized by their morphology, culture, and molecular identity, including whole-genome sequencing (next-generation sequencing). The findings indicated that E. coli was present in 3 of 50 samples (2 cucumbers and 1 celery), corresponding to 6% of all samples. On the basis of multilocus sequence typing, the three isolates belonged to two sequence types, ST223 and ST1737. Genome assembly indicated that the E. coli isolates had a genome size of ∼4.8 Mb and a GC content of ∼50.7%. WGS also revealed that the bacterial isolates exhibited various antibiotic resistance mechanisms, including efflux pumps, enzymatic modification, and regulatory determinants. Phylogenetic tree analysis revealed that these sequenced isolates are closely related to E. coli O104:H4. The results of this study demonstrate the need for ongoing genomic research to track the emergence of bacterial isolates and their potential impact on public health.