Detection of the mcr‐1 gene in colistin‐resistant Escherichia coli from retail meat in Japan

In this study, the presence of the mcr‐1 gene in Escherichia coli from retail meat in Japan was investigated. Nine E. coli isolates (eight from chickens and one from pork) carried the mcr‐1 gene on the plasmid. In six isolates from domestic chickens, mcr‐1 was located on the IncI2 plasmid, which is approximately 60 kb in size. In the remaining three isolates from imported chicken and pork, mcr‐1 was located on the IncX4 plasmid (30 kb).

     

Prevalence of virulence genes in Escherichia coli strains isolated from Romanian adult urinary tract infection cases

A total of 78 E. coli strains isolated from adults with different types of urinary tract infections were screened by polymerase chain reaction for prevalence of genetic regions coding for virulence factors. The targeted genetic determinants were those coding for type 1 fimbriae ( fimH ), pili associated with pyelonephritis ( pap ), S and F1C fimbriae ( sfa and foc ), afimbrial adhesins ( afa ), hemolysin ( hly ), cytotoxic necrotizing factor ( cnf ), aerobactin ( aer ). Among the studied strains, the prevalence of genes coding for fimbrial adhesive systems was 86 %, 36%, and 23% for fimH, pap , and sfa/foc , respectively. The operons coding for Afa afimbrial adhesins were identified in 14% of strains. The hly and cnf genes coding for toxins were amplified in 23% and 13% of strains, respectively. A prevalence of 54% was found for the aer gene. The various combinations of detected genes were designated as virulence patterns. The strains isolated from the hospitalized patients displayed a greater number of virulence genes and a diversity of gene associations compared to the strains isolated from the ambulatory subjects. A rapid assessment of the bacterial pathogenicity characteristics may contribute to a better medical approach of the patients with urinary tract infections.     

Type 1, P and S fimbriae, and afimbrial adhesin I are not essential for uropathogenic Escherichia coli to adhere to and invade bladder epithelial cells

Fimbrial (type 1, P, and S) and afimbrial adhesins, the unique virulence traits of uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC), are well recognized for their role in the initial step of uropathogenesis. In this study, we investigated whether these adhesins are dispensable for UPEC in adherence and invasion of uroepithelial cells by using E. coli isolates (n=40) from cystitis patients and T-24 cells, the bladder carcinoma cell line. We found all isolates adherent to T-24 cells within 15 min of infection. In invasion assay, all isolates could invade T-24 cells to a variable degree; 22.5% of them were found highly invasive. About 33% of isolates that do not have any recognized adhesins were as invasive as other isolates. The amplitude of invasiveness was also independent of the adhesins. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that type 1 fimbriae, P fimbriae, S fimbriae, and afimbrial adhesin I are not required for UPEC to adhere to and invade uroepithelial cells.     

猪源大肠杆菌(ETEC、STEC、AEEC)毒力基因及其与O抗原型的关系

[目的]揭示从我国部分地区仔猪腹泻或水肿病病猪体内分离到的300个大肠杆菌分离株所属病原型(pathotype)、毒力基因及其与O血清型的关系.[方法]O血清型采用常规的凝集试验进行测定,毒力基因采用PCR方法检测.[结果]通过对这300个分离株的O血清型及其毒素、紧密素和黏附素基因进行鉴定,结果显示除50株未定型、17株自凝外,测定出233个分离株的血清型,这些分离株覆盖了45个血清型,其中以0149、0107、0139、093和091为主,共133株,占定型菌株的57.1%;拥有est Ⅰ、estⅡ、elt、stx2e和eae A基因的菌株分别为102(34.0%)、190(63.3%)、81(27.0%)、57(19.0%)和54(18.0%)株;分离株中有51株K88基因阳性(其中菌毛表达率为100%),75株F18基因阳性(其中菌毛表达率为50.7%),在K88菌株中,0149血清型与est Ⅰ或estⅡ elt密切相关,在F18菌株中,0107血清型与est Ⅰ或estⅡ、0139血清型与stx2e紧密相关.依其毒力特征可将这些分离株分为以下6种类型:ETEC、STEC、AEEC、ETEC/STEC、AEEC/ETEC和AEEC/ETEC/STEC,分别拥有190、24、36、32、17和1个菌株,占分离株的63.3%、8.0%、12.0%、10.7%、5.7%和0.3%.通过分析这些分离株的O血清型、毒素类型和黏附素型之间的相关性:猪源ETEC以0149、0107、093和098等血清型为主,0149:K88菌株主要与estⅡ或estⅡ elt肠毒素相关,0107:F18菌株主要与estⅡ相关,093和098血清型菌株主要与estⅡ肠毒素相关;STEC菌株以0139:F18血清型为主,拥有stx2e;AEEC菌株拥有紧密素,无明显优势血清型;ETEC/STEC菌株以0107:F18和0116:F18血清型为主,主要与est Ⅰ stx2e或estⅡ stx2e密切相关,ETEC/AEEC菌株以091和0107血清型为主,全部拥有肠毒素est Ⅰ和紧密素基因.[结论]我国至少存在6种病原型的猪肠道致病性大肠杆菌,其中ETEC为我国部分地区猪大肠杆菌病的主要病原,同时其病原型日益复杂.     

Factors and markers of virulence in Escherichia coli from human septicemia

A lethal and necrotic factor which causes cell multinucleation in HeLa cell cultures has previously been shown to be coded by the Vir plasmid of Escherichia coli. Using an absorbed rabbit antiserum which neutralized the Vir toxic properties, we have compared the SDS-PAGE immunoblots from laboratory and field strains which either produce or do not produce Vir toxicity. A single band of 110 kDa was found to be specifically associated with vir toxicity in E. coli strains. This antiserum also recognized the 115 kDa protein band which was previously identified as the cytotoxic necretozing factor (CNF) of certain E. coli strains. These results suggest that the toxin coded by the Vir plasmid is a protein of 110 kDa distinct from, but immunologically related to CNF.     

Detection of virulence‐associated genes characteristic of intestinal Escherichia coli pathotypes,including the enterohemorrhagic/enteroaggregative O104:H4, in bovines from Germany and Spain

Cattle are reservoirs of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli; however, their role in the epidemiology of other pathogenic E. coli remains undefined. A new set of quantitative real‐time PCR assays for the direct detection and quantification of nine virulence‐associated genes (VAGs) characteristic of the most important human E. coli pathotypes and four serotype‐related genes (wzx_O104, fliC_H4, rbf_O157, fliC_H7) that can be used as a surveillance tool for detection of pathogenic strains was developed. A total of 970 cattle fecal samples were collected in slaughterhouses in Germany and Spain, pooled into 134 samples and analyzed with this tool. stx1, eae and invA were more prevalent in Spanish samples whereas bfpA, stx2, ehxA, elt, est and the rbf_O157/fliC_H7 combination were observed in similar proportions in both countries. Genes characteristic of the hybrid O104:H4 strain of the 2011 German outbreak (stx2/aggR/wzx_O104/fliC_H4) were simultaneously detected in six fecal pools from one German abattoir located near the outbreak epicenter. Although no isolate harboring the full stx2/aggR/wzx_O104/fliC_H4 combination was cultured, sequencing of the aggR positive PCR products revealed 100% homology to the aggR from the outbreak strain. Concomitant detection by this direct approach of VAGs from a novel human pathogenic E. coli strain in cattle samples implies that the E. coli gene pool in these animals can be implicated in de novo formation of such highly‐virulent strains. The application of this set of qPCRs in surveillance studies could be an efficient early‐warning tool for the emergence of zoonotic E. coli in livestock.     

Extended spectrum beta lactamases-producing Escherichia coli in retail chicken meat from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,Pakistan

In human diet, poultry meat is an important component due to the presence of vitamins, proteins and minerals. But poultry meat can be contaminated by pathogenic bacteria which are responsible for food borne infections. The current study was therefore aimed at identification of Escherichia coli, a common pathogen causing food borne infections, in chicken samples (n = 400) collected from three districts of KhyberPukhtunkhwa; Peshawar, Kohat and Nowshera. The isolates were identified by Gram staining, API strips and through PCR (Universal Stress Protein). A total of 174 samples were positive for E. coli among the collected chicken samples. The isolates were resistant to TE, NOR and NA while were sensitive to MEM, TZP and FOS. The results were statistically significant having value P ≤ 0.05 in ANOVA. The isolates showed different antibiotic resistance genes; OXA-1, CTX-M15, blaTEM, QnrS, TetA, AAC, AAD, sul1 and sul2 which is the molecular explanations of their antibiotic resistance pattern. The PCR products were sequenced by Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) and the results revealed mutations in AAC gene (M120T and R197T) and CTX-M15 (A85V, N122D, A148S and G247D).To prevent and treat pathogenic diseases, the use of antimicrobial agents in animal husbandry are of utmost concern. The over-use and misuse of antimicrobial agents has made pathogenic E. coli multi drugs resistant making it a causative agent for many diseases in human beings. The results of the current study may be helpful for the physicians the better management of the diseases caused by E. coli.     

Distribution of additional virulence factors related to adhesion and toxicity in Shiga toxin‐producing Escherichia coli isolated from raw products in Argentina

A total of 73 Shiga toxin‐producing Escherichia coli (STEC) isolates, belonging to 25 serotypes and isolated from raw products in Argentina, were examined for the occurrence of genes responsible for bacterial adhesions to intestine, ehaA (EHEC autotransporter), lpfAO113 (long polar fimbriae), sab (STEC autotransporter [AT] contributing to biofilm formation), ecpA (E. coli common pilus), hcpA (haemorrhagic coli pilus), elfA (E. coli laminin‐binding fimbriae), sfpA (sorbitol‐fermenting EHEC O157 fimbriae plasmid‐encoded) and of the toxigenic gene cdt‐V (cytolethal distending toxin). Our study showed different adhesin profiles that are not linked to one specific serotype and that all analysed isolates possess, besides stx genes, some adherence genes. Several of the isolates contained also multiple toxin genes. The results of the present work alert the presence of genes coding for additional adhesins and cdt‐V toxin in LEE‐negative STEC strains that occur in foods, and this traits could increase their pathogenic potential.

Significance and Impact of the Study

Meat products are one of the main vehicles of Shiga toxin‐producing E. coli, and the presence of genes coding for additional adhesins and toxins could increase their pathogenic potential. There is a need for a more detailed characterization of the strains in regard to these extra virulence factors.     

Prevalence of HEp-2 cell-adherent Escherichia coli and characterisation of enteroaggregative E. coli and chain-like adherent E. coli isolated from children with and without diarrhoea, in Londrina, Brazil

A total of 919 Escherichia coli isolates from 125 children with diarrhoea (cases) and 98 controls were assayed for adherence to HEp-2 cells. Localised adherence was found only in isolates from cases. Diffuse, aggregative (AA), chain-like adherence (CLA) and variants of the AA pattern were found in both cases and controls. The AA isolates were tested for gene sequences associated with enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC). Only 25% of the isolates hybridised with the EAEC probe, and the aafA, astA and pet gene sequences were found in 7.9%, 44.7% and 7.9% of the isolates, respectively. The aggA gene was not found, although 7.9% were positive for aggC. The CLA isolates reacted with the EAEC probe (55.6%), and the aggC, astA and pet gene sequences were found in 66.7%, 33.3% and 11.1%, respectively. The aggR (55.6%), aspU (55.6%), shf (33.3%) and she (22.2%) genes were also found in CLA isolates.     

禽致病性大肠杆菌IMT5155 疑似毒力基因在人源及动物源大肠杆菌中的分布

[目的]检测禽致病性大肠杆菌IMT5155自分泌黏附素基因等具有代表性的疑似毒力基因在不同来源大肠杆菌中的分布,为进一步研究其致病机理提供依据.[方法]采用PCR和Dot blot,检测疑似毒力基因在不同地区(101株大肠杆菌中国分离株和121株大肠杆菌德国分离株)、不同来源(人源、禽源及猪源)大肠杆菌中的分布,并分析其和大肠杆菌系统进化分群的关系.[结果]自分泌黏附素基因B11等11个疑似毒力基因在禽致病性大肠杆菌中分布率较高,阳性率分别为:A1 36.4%(32/88)、A8 53.4%(47/88)、A1063.6%(56/88)、B1137.5%(33/88)、F3 59.1%(52/88)等,且疑似毒力基因主要存在于大肠杆菌B2进化群中.值得注意的是,D1、E9和F11基因片段在新生儿脑膜炎大肠杆菌中有较高的分布率,分别为60%(6/10)、80%(8/10)和90%(9/10),而在新生儿脑膜炎大肠杆菌中未检测到B11基因.[结论]自分泌黏附素B11等疑似毒力基因与禽致病性大肠杆菌关系密切,但疑似毒力基因D1、E9和F11与新生儿脑膜炎大肠杆菌密切相关,提示禽致病性大肠杆菌可能是新生儿脑膜炎大肠杆菌的毒力基因储库.     

Cytotoxic effect of multinucleation in HeLa cell cultures associated with the presence of Vir plasmid in Escherichia coli strains

The occurrence activity and localization of calmodulin in three heterocystous cyanobacteria of the genus Anabaena were studied. Boiled crude extracts caused a Ca2+-dependent stimulation of NAD kinase. Such a stimulation was blocked by EGTA and chlorpromazine, SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis using antiserum against eukaryotic spinach calmodulin, revealed a polypeptide of about 17 kDa. Immunogold localization of calmodulin gave a dense gold label in both vegetative cells and heterocysts. The label was mainly confined to the centroplasm in vegetative cells, while it was evenly distributed in the cytoplasm of mature heterocysts.     

Virulence markers and serotypes of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli, isolated from cattle in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

AIMS: To determine the prevalence of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) and serotypes and virulence markers of the STEC isolates from beef and dairy cattle in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. METHODS AND RESULTS: Faecal samples from beef cattle were collected at slaughterhouses. The isolates were submitted to colony hybridization assay with specific DNA probes for stx1, stx2 and eae genes, and serotyped for the identification of O and H antigens. Thirty-nine per cent of beef cattle surveyed harboured at least one STEC strain. Among the distinct serotypes identified, 10 were shared by both beef and dairy cattle. Most of the strains isolated harboured stx2. Genotypic and phenotypic profiles allowed the identification of 34 and 31 STEC strains, isolated from beef and dairy cattle, respectively. Serotypes O10:H14, O15:H21, O96:H21, O119:H4, O124:H11, O128:H21, O137:H-, O141:H19, O159:H42, O160:H2 and O177:H11, identified in this study, have not been previously reported as STEC isolated from cattle. CONCLUSIONS: Cattle are an important reservoir of STEC strains associated with human diseases in South America. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Determining the prevalence, genotypic profile and serotypes of STEC strains isolated from cattle enables the prediction of possible risk for public health.     

Structural and regulatory genes for coli surface associated antigen 4 (CS4) are encoded by separate plasmids in enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli strains of serotype 025.H42

Two enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli strains of serotype 0.25.H42 that produced coli surface associated antigens CS4 and CS6 hybridized with a probe containing the cfaD sequence that regulates expression of colonization factor antigen CFA/I. Transformation of a cloned cfaD gene into some derivatives of the strains that were negative for CS4 and CS6 resulted in expression of CS4 but not CS6. By hybridization the sequence that regulated CS4 production in the wild type 025 strains was located on a plasmid that also encoded the CS6 antigen. The structural genes for the CS4 antigen were on a separate plasmid. The 025 strains carried a third plasmid encoding enterotoxin production which was therefore unlinked to regulation sequences or genes encoding CS antigens.     

A prospective study on Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli in children with diarrhoea in Paraná State, Brazil

Aims:  To examine stool specimens from children with diarrhea from Paraná State, southern Brazil, for presence of STEC.
Methods and Results:  A PCR screening assay for stx genes was used to examine a loopful of confluent colonies of 306 stool samples cultures. In six (1.96%) of them, DNA fragments of the expected size were observed, and the presence of stx was confirmed by DNA sequencing. Then up to 100 single colonies from each of the six stool cultures were analyzed using the same PCR protocol. However, stx -positive colonies were found only in two of the cultures. The E. coli strains belonged to serotypes O69:H11 and O178:H19, and presented genotypes stx ₁ eae ehxA and stx ₁ respectively. Shiga toxin production was confirmed using the VTEC Screen Seiken. Except ampicillin, they were susceptible to all the antimicrobials tested.
Conclusions:  These results show that STEC may be an important cause of diarrhea in children of Paraná State, and that they are present in low numbers in stools. The strains belonged to serotypes not commonly found associated with STEC and probably present low virulence.
Significance and Impact of Study:  These results indicate that molecular methods are required to diagnosis of STEC infections.     

Interactions of Escherichia coli strains of non-EPEC serogroups that carry eae and lack the EAF and stx gene sequences with undifferentiated and differentiated intestinal human Caco-2 cells

Escherichia coli strains of non-EPEC serotypes that carry eae and lack the EAF and the Shiga toxin (stx) gene sequences have been found in acute diarrhea. Both the cell association and the cell entry of these strains in human intestinal epithelial cells were studied as a function of cell differentiation and polarization. The eae+/EAF-/stx- non-EPEC E. coli strains invaded undifferentiated Caco-2 cells more efficiently than differentiated cells. In contrast, prototype EPEC strain E2348/69 did not show significative differences from invasion rates of undifferentiated and differentiated cells. The uptake of these strains was greatly enhanced by pretreatment of differentiated Caco-2 cells with EGTA. These results suggest that the eae+/EAF-/stx- non-EPEC E. coli invasion of intestinal cells may be dependent on receptors expressed on the surface of undifferentiated cells and the basolateral pole of differentiated cells.