The Faculty of Medicine at Wasit University examined the Master’s thesis submitted by the student Hasnin Baidallah Halhoul al-Badri, entitled:
“Pathotyping and Phylogenetic Analysis of E. coli Isolated from Paediatric Patients with Diarrhoea”
The study aimed to carry out a molecular diagnosis of pathogenic strains of Escherichia coli isolated from children under the age of five suffering from diarrhoea in the city of Al-Kut, Wasit Governorate; to identify their phylogenetic groups; to assess their antibiotic resistance and multidrug resistance; and to investigate their association with age groups.
The study included 140 stool samples collected between September 2025 and February 2026. Isolates were identified using culture methods and the VITEK®️ 2 system, whilst PCR was used to detect virulence genes and determine the pathogenic serotypes and phylogenetic groups of the bacteria.
The results showed that the EAEC–STEC hybrid serotype was the most common, with a clear predominance of phylogenetic group D/E. The study also revealed a significant association between age group and phylogenetic groups, as well as between pathogenic serotypes and phylogenetic groups.
The study also revealed high rates of antibiotic resistance and the prevalence of multidrug resistance (MDR) amongst the isolates, whilst amikacin and meropenem retained the highest in vitro efficacy.
The examination committee consisted of Professor Khalid Yassin Zaghir as chair, Assistant Professor Haitham Qasim Mohammed as a member, and Assistant Professor Shaima Shaker Hamid as a member, under the supervision of Assistant Professor Hassan Akrim Idbis and Professor Ahmed Ibrahim Insaf.
At the conclusion of the defence, the examination committee decided to accept the thesis and award the student a grade of ‘Distinction’, commending the scientific effort expended and the study’s findings, which contribute to supporting medical research and surveillance.
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