Penicillin-binding proteins of pathogenic Escherichia coli strains

The penicillin-binding proteins of 11 pathogenic Escherichia coli strains, including enteropathogenic, enterotoxigenic, enteroinvasive, enteroaggregative, and enterohemorrhagic E. coli, were detected in gels following the labeling of isolated cell envelopes with [³H]benzylpenicillin. The electrophoretic profiles, sensitivities to and morphological changes induced by β-lactam antibiotics showed that the penicillin-binding proteins of most pathogenic E. coli possess structural and physiological functions similar to those of E. coli K12.     

Probability of recovering pathogenic Escherichia coli from foods

The probability of recovering pathogenic Escherichia coli from food by the Bacteriological Analytical Manual method was determined by the effects of several factors: the number of strains per food, the ability of pathogenic strains to survive enrichment, and the frequency of plasmid loss during enrichment. Biochemical patterns indicated the presence of about six E. coli strains per food sample. About half of the strains isolated from humans did not survive enrichment. Among those which grew, plasmid loss, as determined by gel electrophoresis and DNA colony hybridization, ranged from 20 to 95%. The combined effects of failure to survive enrichment and plasmid loss decreased the relative numbers of these strains and reduced the chance of detecting pathogens. To counteract this tendency and obtain a 90 to 95% probability off recovering a given pathogenic strain, 40 to 50 colonies per food sample should be picked during the routine testing of foods.     

Probability of recovering pathogenic Escherichia coli from foods.

The probability of recovering pathogenic Escherichia coli from food by the Bacteriological Analytical Manual method was determined by the effects of several factors: the number of strains per food, the ability of pathogenic strains to survive enrichment, and the frequency of plasmid loss during enrichment. Biochemical patterns indicated the presence of about six E. coli strains per food sample. About half of the strains isolated from humans did not survive enrichment. Among those which grew, plasmid loss, as determined by gel electrophoresis and DNA colony hybridization, ranged from 20 to 95%. The combined effects of failure to survive enrichment and plasmid loss decreased the relative numbers of these strains and reduced the chance of detecting pathogens. To counteract this tendency and obtain a 90 to 95% probability off recovering a given pathogenic strain, 40 to 50 colonies per food sample should be picked during the routine testing of foods.     

Rapid categorization of pathogenic Escherichia coli by multiplex PCR

A one-shot multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was developed for detecting 12 virulence genes of diarrheagenic Escherichia coli. In order to differentiate between the five categories of diarrheagenic E. coli, we selected the target genes: stx1, stx2, and eaeA for enterohemorrhagic E. coli(EHEC); eaeA, bfpA, and EAF for enteropathogenic E. coli(EPEC); invE for enteroinvasive E. coli(EIEC); elt, estp, and esth for enterotoxigenic E. coli(ETEC); CVD432 and aggR for enteroaggregative E. coli(EAggEC); and astA distributed over the categories of diarrheagenic E. coli. In our multiplex PCR system, all 12 targeted genes (stx1, stx2, eaeA, invE, elt, estp, astA, esth, bfpA, aggR, EAF, and CVD432) were amplified in a single PCR reaction in one tube and detected by electrophoresis. Using our multiplex PCR, the 208 clinically isolated strains of diarrheagenic E. coli in our laboratory were successfully categorized and easily analyzed for the presence of virulence plasmids.     

Polymorphism and selection of rpoS in pathogenic Escherichia coli

Background  

Though RpoS is important for survival of pathogenic Escherichia coli in natural environments, polymorphism in the rpoS gene is common. However, the causes of this polymorphism and consequential physiological effects on gene expression in pathogenic strains are not fully understood.     

Exploiting pathogenic Escherichia coli to model transmembrane receptor signalling

Many microbial pathogens manipulate the actin cytoskeleton of eukaryotic target cells to promote their internalization, intracellular motility and dissemination. Enteropathogenic and enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli, which both cause severe diarrhoeal disease, can adhere to mammalian intestinal cells and induce reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton into 'pedestal-like' pseudopods beneath the extracellular bacteria. As pedestal assembly is triggered by E. coli virulence factors that mimic several host cell-signalling components, such as transmembrane receptors, their cognate ligands and cytoplasmic adaptor proteins, it can serve as a powerful model system to study eukaryotic transmembrane signalling. Here, we consider the impact of recent data on our understanding of both E. coli pathogenesis and cell biology, and the rich prospects for exploiting these bacterial factors as versatile tools to probe cellular signalling pathways.     

Applicability of a model for non-pathogenic Escherichia coli for predicting the growth of pathogenic Escherichia coli

A model was developed for the temperature dependence of growth rate of a non-pathogenic Escherichia coli strain. The suitability of that model for predicting the growth rate of pathogenic E. coli strains was assessed. Growth rates of pathogenic strains were found to be adequately described by the model. Model predictions were also found to describe sufficiently well-published growth rate data for non-pathogenic E. coli on mutton carcase surfaces and E. coli O157:H7 in ground roasted beef, milk, and on cantaloupes and water melons. In addition, E. coli O157:H7 was found to grow in the region of 44–45·5 °C.     

Structure of the cyclomodulin Cif from pathogenic Escherichia coli

Bacterial pathogens have evolved a sophisticated arsenal of virulence factors to modulate host cell biology. Enteropathogenic and enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EPEC and EHEC) use a type III protein secretion system (T3SS) to inject microbial proteins into host cells. The T3SS effector cycle inhibiting factor (Cif) produced by EPEC and EHEC is able to block host eukaryotic cell-cycle progression. We present here a crystal structure of Cif, revealing it to be a divergent member of the superfamily of enzymes including cysteine proteases and acetyltransferases that share a common catalytic triad. Mutation of these conserved active site residues abolishes the ability of Cif to block cell-cycle progression. Finally, we demonstrate that irreversible cysteine protease inhibitors do not abolish the Cif cytopathic effect, suggesting that another enzymatic activity may underlie the biological activity of this virulence factor.     

Characterization of florfenicol resistance among calf pathogenic Escherichia coli

Three floR genes were cloned from calf pathogenic Escherichia coli strains, and the efflux-mediated accumulation of florfenicol in the floR gene-JM109 E. coli system was determined by HPLC. The floR genes resulted in a 1356-bp fragment covering the ORF in region 66-1280 coding for 404 amino acids. The common motifs of 12-transmembrane segments efflux pumps family were conserved in the deduced floR amino acid sequences. HPLC results indicated a significant difference in florfenicol accumulation between florfenicol-resistant strains and the susceptible strains, which was almost reversed by the addition of a proton motive force blocker. These results suggest that the florfenicol resistance mediated by the floR gene involves active efflux of florfenicol.     

绵羊肺源性致病性大肠杆菌的分离与鉴定

【目的】近年来,羊呼吸系统疾病日益频发,由肠外致病性大肠杆菌感染引起的呼吸道疾病也日渐增多,给养羊业带来了一定经济损失。本文旨在确定新疆石河子地区某羊场表现为呼吸道感染症状的病死羔羊的细菌性病原及其特性。【方法】采用细菌常规分离鉴定结合16S rRNA基因序列分析的方法从发病羔羊的肺脏中分离鉴定细菌,并对分离株进行药敏试验、特异基因PCR检测、小鼠致病性试验及肺脏组织的病理学观察。【结果】从病死羔羊肺脏组织分离得到一株致病性大肠杆菌,该分离株呈多重耐药现象,检测到iutA、fyuA和ireA三种毒力基因;病变肺脏肺泡壁毛细血管充血,界限不清,支气管管腔充血,周围淋巴细胞浸润、增生。【结论】从病死羔羊肺中分离的细菌性病原是肠外致病性大肠杆菌(ExPEC)。     

致病性大肠杆菌和蜡样芽胞杆菌的分离鉴定

【背景】猪只消化道疾病是养猪业上一大重要疾病,给养猪业带来一定的经济损失。大肠杆菌是引起猪腹泻的一种常见病原菌,可以引起不同日龄的猪腹泻,但主要以幼龄猪为主。【目的】旨在分离鉴定引起四川省眉山市一规模化养猪场病猪大规模腹泻的病原菌。【方法】采用常规细菌分离方法结合16S rRNA基因序列的分析方法从发病猪肝脏、胃以及污染的饲料分离鉴定细菌,并对分离株进行小鼠致病性试验、16S rRNA基因遗传进化树分析、毒力基因的检测、药物敏感试验。【结果】从腹泻猪肝脏中分离到一株致病性大肠杆菌,胃中分离到一株蜡样芽胞杆菌,并且追溯到传染源是该猪场饲料。通过检测这两株菌相应的毒力基因发现大肠杆菌不属于肠外致病性型,蜡样芽胞杆菌检测到了nheA、nheB、nheC、bceT、entFM 5种毒力基因;药敏试验表明常规的氨基糖苷类和头孢类抗生素对大肠杆菌抑菌效果较好,红霉素、氟苯尼考、头孢氨苄、头孢哌酮对蜡样芽胞杆菌抑菌效果较好,而蜡样芽胞杆菌对青霉素、阿莫西林等常规药物不敏感。【结论】饲料存在大肠杆菌和蜡样芽胞杆菌的混合污染。     

Plasmid replicon typing of commensal and pathogenic Escherichia coli isolates

Despite the critical role of plasmids in horizontal gene transfer, few studies have characterized plasmid relatedness among different bacterial populations. Recently, a multiplex PCR replicon typing protocol was developed for classification of plasmids occurring in members of the Enterobacteriaceae. Here, a simplified version of this replicon typing procedure which requires only three multiplex panels to identify 18 plasmid replicons is described. This method was used to screen 1,015 Escherichia coli isolates of avian, human, and poultry meat origin for plasmid replicon types. Additionally, the isolates were assessed for their content of several colicin-associated genes. Overall, a high degree of plasmid variability was observed, with 221 different profiles occurring among the 1,015 isolates examined. IncFIB plasmids were the most common type identified, regardless of the source type of E. coli. IncFIB plasmids occurred significantly more often in avian pathogenic E. coli (APEC) and retail poultry E. coli (RPEC) than in uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) and avian and human fecal commensal E. coli isolates (AFEC and HFEC, respectively). APEC and RPEC were also significantly more likely than UPEC, HFEC, and AFEC to possess the colicin-associated genes cvaC, cbi, and/or cma in conjunction with one or more plasmid replicons. The results suggest that E. coli isolates contaminating retail poultry are notably similar to APEC with regard to plasmid profiles, with both generally containing multiple plasmid replicon types in conjunction with colicin-related genes. In contrast, UPEC and human and avian commensal E. coli isolates generally lack the plasmid replicons and colicin-related genes seen in APEC and RPEC, suggesting limited dissemination of such plasmids among these bacterial populations.     

Novel phage-based bio-processing of pathogenic Escherichia coli and its biofilms

To explore new approaches of phage-based bio-process of specifically pathogenic Escherichia coli bacteria in food products within a short period. One hundred and forty highly lytic designed coliphages were used. Escherichia coli naturally contaminated and Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli experimentally inoculated samples of lettuce, cabbage, meat, and egg were used. In addition, experimentally produced biofilms of E. coli were tested. A phage concentration of 10³ PFU/ml was used for food products immersion, and for spraying of food products, 10⁵ PFU/ml of a phage cocktail was used by applying a 20-s optimal dipping time in a phage cocktail. Food samples were cut into pieces and were either sprayed with or held in a bag immersed in lambda buffer containing a cocktail of 140 phages. Phage bio-processing was successful in eliminating completely E. coli in all processed samples after 48 h storage at 4°C. Partial elimination of E. coli was observed in earlier storage periods (7 and 18 h) at 24° and 37°C. Moreover, E. coli biofilms were reduced >3 log cycles upon using the current phage bio-processing. The use of a phage cocktail of 140 highly lytic designed phages proved highly effective in suppressing E. coli contaminating food products. Proper decontamination/prevention methods of pathogenic E. coli achieved in this study can replace the current chemically less effective decontamination methods.     

Genome sequence of a porcine extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli strain

Extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli (ExPEC) is an important pathogen which can infect humans and animals and cause many diseases outside the intestine. Here, we report the first draft genome sequence of a porcine ExPEC strain, PCN033, isolated from a pig with meningitis.     

Sequence of heat-labile enterotoxin of Escherichia coli pathogenic for humans.

We determined the complete nucleotide sequence of the toxB gene (375 base pairs in length), which encodes the B subunit of heat-labile enterotoxin produced from Escherichia coli pathogenic for humans (hLT). The amino acid sequence of the B subunit of hLT was deduced from the nucleotide sequence. Consequently, it has become possible to study the homology between the B subunits of three similar toxins: hLT, LT produced from E. coli pathogenic for piglets (pLT), and cholera toxin (the latter two sequences have been reported by others). The three B subunits are all 103 amino acids in length. A comparison of the toxB gene and the eltB gene, which encodes the B subunit of pLT, showed a 98% homology at the nucleotide level and a 95% homology at the amino acid (of a precursor) level, indicating the possibility that the two genes share a common ancestor. With respect to the B-subunit sequences, the homologies between hLT and pLT, between hLT and cholera toxin, and between pLT and cholera toxin were 96, 81, and 79%, respectively. Several large common sequences are conserved by the three peptides. In contrast, no sequences are present in both pLT and cholera toxin but missing in hLT.     

rmlA 基因缺失影响禽致病性大肠杆菌的生物被膜形成

【目的】构建禽致病性大肠杆菌(Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli,APEC)rmlA基因缺失株,研究该缺失株的生物学特性。【方法】利用Red重组系统构建rmlA缺失株;比较野生株与缺失株在生长特性、运动性和生物被膜形成能力等方面的差异;运用Real-time PCR技术,比较野生株与rmlA缺失株对APEC部分毒力基因转录的影响。【结果】rmlA缺失株,不影响APEC的生长和运动特性,但生物被膜形成能力显著增强,且使luxS、irp2基因转录水平分别上调2倍、1.8倍,iucD、fyuA则下调25倍。【结论】APEC的rmlA基因可以影响禽致病性大肠杆菌的生物被膜形成能力及部分毒力基因的转录水平;而对APEC的生长、运动特性没有影响。