Molecular detection of the <i>Escherichia coli heme-utilization gene A</i> virulence factor in <i>E. coli</i> isolated from the feces of horses in Sumbawa island, Indonesia.

The transmission of <i>Escherichia coli</i> (<i>E. coli</i>) containing virulent genes from animals to humans and the environment poses significant public health challenges. This study aimed to detect the virulence factor of the <i>E. coli heme-utilization gene A</i> (<i>chuA</i>) in <i>E. coli</i> isolated from the feces of apparently healthy horses in the island of Sumbawa, Indonesia. The study utilized 52 fecal samples from a total horse population of 283, calculated using the disease detection formula. Fresh feces were collected immediately after excretion and placed in buffered peptone water for subsequent analysis. The samples were then isolated on eosin methylene blue media and identified using biochemical tests. Identified <i>E. coli</i> strains were further examined for detecting the <i>chuA</i> gene using polymerase chain reaction techniques. The <i>E. coli</i> was successfully isolated and identified in 11 (21.15%) of the 52 collected fecal samples. Polymerase chain reaction analysis detected the <i>chuA</i> gene in 8 (15.38%) <i>E. coli</i> isolates at 279 bp on gel electrophoresis. The close interaction between horses and humans in the island of Sumbawa, Indonesia, may facilitate the spread of <i>E. coli</i>. Thus, surveillance is needed to employ a One Health approach to monitor <i>E. coli</i> strains encoding the <i>chuA</i> gene and other virulence factors to control their dissemination.