High Efficacy of Rose Bengal in Reducing the Pathogenicity of <i>Escherichia coli</i> Isolated From Diarrheal Infections

Diarrheal infections, a leading cause of global morbidity and mortality, are frequently attributed to pathogenic <i>Escherichia coli</i> strains. The rise of antibiotic resistance among these pathogens necessitates the exploration of alternative therapeutic agents. This study is aimed at evaluating the Rose Bengal effect to fight antibiotic resistance in pathogenic <i>E. coli</i>. Using a combination of in vitro assays-including microbiological isolation, 16S RNA molecular identification, acid resistance testing, biofilm and swarming assays, hemolytic activity evaluation, and antibiograms-and in vivo analysis with <i>Rhynchophorus phoenicis</i> larvae, 22 <i>E. coli</i> isolates were obtained. Molecular analyses identified four pathogenic strains: KNH8 (PQ864811), KNH11 (PQ864812), KNH14 (PQ864813), and KNH16 (PQ864814), classified as enterotoxigenic <i>E. coli</i> (ETEC) and enteropathogenic <i>E. coli</i> (EPEC). Pathogenicity assessments revealed that Rose Bengal (200 <i>μ</i>M) significantly reduced acid and bile salt resistance, biofilm formation, swarming motility, and hemolytic activity in all strains. Furthermore, Rose Bengal enhanced the sensitivity of these strains to five antibiotics-imipenem, kanamycin, chloramphenicol, gentamicin, and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (AMC)-with increases ranging from twofold to sixfold in pathogenic strains (KNH8, KNH11, KNH14, and KNH16). These effects were further corroborated by in vivo testing using <i>R. phoenicis</i> larvae. The findings highlight the virulent potential of these <i>E. coli</i> strains and suggest Rose Bengal as a promising antimicrobial agent against multidrug-resistant pathogens.