Draft genome sequence of Escherichia coli MTR_GS_S1457 strain isolated from a soil sample of a vegetable garden in Gazipur, Bangladesh.

We announce the sequence of the Escherichia coli MTR_GS_S1457 strain isolated from a soil sample of a vegetable gardening system for the first time in Bangladesh. With a length of 4,918,647 bp, this strain contained one plasmid, two CRISPR arrays, 54 predicted antibiotic resistance genes, and 81 predicted virulence factor genes.

Draft genome sequence of antibiotic-resistant Shigella flexneri MTR_GR_V146 strain isolated from a tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) sample collected from a peri-urban area of Bangladesh.

This study announces the genome sequence of the Shigella flexneri MTR_GR_V146 strain isolated from a tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) sample in Bangladesh. This strain has a 4,624,521 bp genome length (coverage: 73.07×), 2 CRISPR arrays, 1 plasmid, 52 predicted antibiotic resistance genes, and 53 virulence factor genes.

Draft genome sequence of multidrug-resistant Citrobacter freundii MTR_GS_V1777 strain isolated from a spinach (Spinacia oleracea) sample in Gazipur, Bangladesh.

We announce a genome sequence of Citrobacter freundii MTR_GS_V1777 strain isolated from a vegetable sample in Bangladesh. This strain had a genome size of 4,997,753 bp (58.7× genome coverage) and contained two plasmids, typed as sequence type ST124, 38 predicted antibiotic resistance genes, and 77 predicted virulence factor genes.

Draft genome sequences of five multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli strains isolated from vegetable samples in Bangladesh.

Reports indicate that vegetables are becoming a source of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria, including Escherichia coli. Here, we present genome sequences of five MDR E. coli strains to assist future genomic analysis of this bacterium. These E. coli strains were isolated from vegetable samples of different gardening systems in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Phenotypic and Genotypic Detection of Biofilm-Forming Staphylococcus aureus from Different Food Sources in Bangladesh.

Staphylococcus aureus is a major foodborne pathogen. The ability of S. aureus to produce biofilm is a significant virulence factor, triggering its persistence in hostile environments. In this study, we screened a total of 420 different food samples and human hand swabs to detect S. aureus and to determine their biofilm formation ability. Samples analyzed were meat, milk, eggs, fish, fast foods, and hand swabs. S. aureus were detected by culturing, staining, biochemical, and PCR. Biofilm formation ability was determined by Congo Red Agar (CRA) plate and Crystal Violet Microtiter Plate (CVMP) tests. The icaA, icaB, icaC, icaD, and bap genes involved in the synthesis of biofilm-forming intracellular adhesion compounds were detected by PCR. About 23.81% (100/420; 95% CI: 14.17−29.98%) of the samples harbored S. aureus, as revealed by detection of the nuc gene. The CRA plate test revealed 20% of S. aureus isolates as strong biofilm producers and 69% and 11% as intermediate and non-biofilm producers, respectively. By the CVMP staining method, 20%, 77%, and 3% of the isolates were found to be strong, intermediate, and non-biofilm producers. Furthermore, 21% of S. aureus isolates carried at least one biofilm-forming gene, where icaA, icaB, icaC, icaD, and bap genes were detected in 15%, 20%, 7%, 20%, and 10% of the S. aureus isolates, respectively. Bivariate analysis showed highly significant correlations (p < 0.001) between any of the two adhesion genes of S. aureus isolates. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study in Bangladesh describing the detection of biofilm-forming S. aureus from foods and hand swabs using molecular-based evidence. Our findings suggest that food samples should be deemed a potential reservoir of biofilm-forming S. aureus, which indicates a potential public health significance.