尿道致病性大肠杆菌HEC4株和禽源致病性大肠杆菌E058株毒力相关特性的比较

对人尿道致病性大肠杆菌(uropathogenic Escherichia coli,UPEC)HEC4株和禽致病性大肠杆菌(avian pathogen-ic Escherichia coli,APEC)E058株进行毒力基因和其他相关特性的比较,结果显示,它们具有一些共同的毒力基因,包括一些存在于APEC中一个大的可传递质粒上的基因;同时,它们也具有一些相似的生化特性。对SPF鸡的致病性试验显示,这两株分离株具有相似的致病力。因此,对于APEC和UPEC的相关性,以及APEC是否有可能导致人尿道感染或者成为UPEC的毒力基因贮主,有待进一步研究。     

猪源肠外致病性大肠杆菌耐药性分析及耐药基因和I类整合子检测

【背景】由于抗生素的长期大量且不合理使用,猪源肠外致病性大肠杆菌(extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli,ExPEC)多重耐药性日趋严重。【目的】探究猪源ExPEC的耐药性及其与耐药基因和I类整合子的相关性。【方法】采用微量肉汤稀释法测定54株猪源ExPEC对22种抗生素的最低抑菌浓度(minimal inhibitory concentration,MIC)和最低杀菌浓度(minimum bactericidal concentration,MBC);依据药敏试验结果确定相关耐药基因,采用PCR方法检测染色体DNA和质粒DNA上的耐药基因及I类整合子分布情况。【结果】54株猪源ExPEC对青霉素、氟苯尼考、氨苄西林、阿莫西林高度耐药,其中52株对甲氧苄氨嘧啶、复方新诺明高度耐药,它们的MIC值均大于256μg/mL,无MBC值;对头孢唑林、四环素、头孢氨苄、大观霉素、链霉素的MIC值在1-256μg/mL之间,MBC值分别为8、16、32、64、128、256μg/mL,均可耐受11种以上抗生素,其中以耐受17种为主,占比为18.52%...     

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.     

54株猪源肠外致病性大肠杆菌血清型、系统进化群和基因型

摘 要:[背景]近年来,我国规模猪场着重加强了对猪繁殖与呼吸综合征、猪圆环病毒病、猪瘟、猪伪狂犬病、猪链球菌病、副猪嗜血杆菌病等疫病的防控,却忽视了由肠外致病性大肠杆菌(Extraintestinal Pathogenic Escherichia coli,ExPEC)对猪群健康产生的潜在危害性,了解和掌握猪源ExPEC流行特征意义显著。[目的]探究临床分离的54株猪源ExPEC血清型、系统进化群和基因型的分布及流行特征。[方法]应用玻板凝集试验和试管凝集试验鉴定O抗原血清型,采用PCR技术检测系统进化群鉴定相关基因、28个ExPEC相关毒力基因以及多位点序列分型相关基因。[结果]受试菌中有52株确定了O抗原血清型,其中40株为O38 (74.1%),为优势血清型;8株为O127 (14.8%),O93和O11均2株(各占3.7%)。受试菌中44株为B2群(81.5%),是主要系统进化群,D群和B1群均5 株(各占 9.3%);28 个 ExPEC 相关毒力基因中ompA、ibeA、fimH、traT、focD、papA、iroN、iutA、iucD、cvaC、tsh、kpsMT Ⅱ、iss和ompT出现的频率超过50%,其中ompA和ibeA检出率分别达100%和96.3%,为高度流行的毒力基因,未检到cnf1,而bmaE、malX和iha更倾向分布于D群菌株中。受试菌共呈现31种ST型,其中ST10和ST648均5株(各占9.3%),ST410和ST101均4株(各占7.4%)。[结论]猪源ExPEC优势血清型及系统进化群在不同地区、不同时段上的流行分布均存在一定差异,呈现动态过程,O38作为优势血清型目前尚未见报道,具有高致病性的B2群和D群菌株有逐渐增多的趋势。ST型复杂多样,呈现遗传多样性,在一定程度上与人源和禽源ExPEC具有相同的遗传背景。     

利用转录组数据挖掘致脑膜炎大肠杆菌候选非编码RNA

细菌非编码RNA(ncRNAs)是细菌生长和感染过程中至关重要的转录调控因子，对致病菌快速响应环境变化，调整自身基因表达抵御环境胁迫尤为重要。本研究通过对新生儿脑膜炎大肠杆菌K1 RS218的高通量转录物组测序，发现新生儿脑膜炎大肠杆菌K1 RS218(NMEC)表达丰富的ncRNAs。经生物信息学分析，在新生儿脑膜炎大肠杆菌K1 RS218中，共发现45个潜在的ncRNAs。通过与非致病性大肠杆菌K-12基因组比对，发现新生儿脑膜炎大肠杆菌K1-RS218基因组有300个大于100 bp的特异性序列。结合分析获得的非编码RNA，发现共有9个ncRNAs是新生儿脑膜炎大肠杆菌K1 RS218特异的。随机选择Nsr21，用小鼠尾静脉注射模型验证其作用，发现与野生型RS218对照组相比，注射Δnsr21的小鼠血液中的含菌量显著增加（P<0.01）。说明缺失Nsr21后，更有利于新生儿脑膜炎大肠杆菌K1 RS218在小鼠血液内生存和繁殖。通过qRT-PCR检测Nsr21表达发现，与体外培养环境相比，小鼠血液环境中Nsr21的表达显著下调（P<0.001）。说明新生儿脑膜炎大肠杆菌K1-RS218，是通过下调Nsr21的表达使其更有利于在血液中生存和繁殖。本研究提示，新生儿脑膜炎大肠杆菌K1 RS218基因组中包含大量的ncRNA，这些ncRNA可能与调控NMEC致病性相关。NMEC在感染血液过程中，通过下调Nsr21的表达使NMEC在血液中的繁殖能力增加。     

pagP基因对禽致病性大肠杆菌抗菌肽抗性和致病性的影响

【目的】禽致病性大肠杆菌(Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli,APEC)不仅严重影响全球的养禽业,对人类公共健康也造成巨大的潜在威胁。pag P基因在细菌的抗菌肽抗性和致病性方面发挥重要作用,但关于pag P基因在APEC中的功能尚不清楚。本文构建禽致病性大肠杆菌pag P基因缺失株,对缺失株的抗菌肽抗性和致病性进行研究。【方法】利用Red重组系统构建APEC的pag P基因缺失株,然后利用回复质粒构建回复株。研究pag P基因对细胞黏附与入侵、生物被膜形成能力、外膜渗透性、抗菌肽敏感性、致病性等方面的影响。【结果】成功构建pag P基因缺失株和回复株,抗菌肽抗性试验发现pag P基因缺失株对多粘菌素B、鸡β-防御素2(AVBD2)的敏感性显著增加(P0.01),致病性试验结果表明pag P基因缺失株的毒力显著降低(P0.01)。【结论】APEC的pag P基因对AVBD2的敏感性和APEC的致病性密切相关,为深入研究pag P基因的功能及调控作用奠定了基础。     

VI型分泌系统2核心组分VgrG对禽致病性大肠杆菌致病性的影响

【目的】构建禽致病性大肠杆菌(Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli,APEC)VI型分泌系统2(Type VI secretion system 2,T6SS2)结构基因vgrG缺失株,研究其对APEC生物学特性及致病性的影响。【方法】通过Red同源重组方法构建DE719菌株vgrG基因缺失株,并利用低拷贝质粒pSTV28构建互补株。比较分析野生株、缺失株与互补株的生长特性、运动性、生物被膜形成能力、黏附侵袭能力、动物致病力等差异。【结果】vgr G基因缺失不影响DE719的生长速度、运动能力及生物被膜形成能力。致病性试验表明缺失vgrG导致体内定殖能力及致病力显著下降,然而对DF-1细胞的黏附能力增强。【结论】T6SS2核心组分VgrG在APEC感染过程中发挥重要作用,为了解APEC的致病作用提供参考。     

亚抑菌浓度博落回生物碱对ExPEC主要外膜蛋白和II型T-A系统表达的影响

【背景】血根碱、白屈菜红碱、原阿片碱等生物碱是我国二类新兽药博落回散和博普总碱散的主要成分,具有广泛的药理作用。【目的】研究亚抑菌浓度血根碱、白屈菜红碱、原阿片碱对肠外致病性大肠杆菌(extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli,ExPEC)主要外膜蛋白及其调控基因和Ⅱ型毒素-抗毒素(toxin-antitoxin,T-A)系统基因表达的影响,初步探讨博落回生物碱对ExPEC细菌生理活动影响的可能机制。【方法】比较不同Ⅱ型T-A系统基因yafON、hicAB、prlF-yhaV缺失的ExPEC对血根碱、白屈菜红碱、原阿片碱及抗生素的最小抑菌浓度;在1/2MIC亚抑菌浓度血根碱、白屈菜红碱、原阿片碱条件下,比较它们对ExPEC野生型(wild type,WT)菌株和外膜蛋白tolC缺失菌株(ΔtolC)的不同外膜蛋白基因ompC、ompX、tolC、ompF和调控基因acrR、rob、marR、rpoS、soxS表达的影响,以及对T-A系统基因yafON、hicAB、prlF-yhaV表达的影响。【结果】T-A系统hicAB和prlF-yhaV缺...     

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。     

双组分系统rcsC基因影响禽致病性大肠杆菌的致病性及相关生物学特性

【目的】双组分系统Rcs感受外界环境变化,并调控细菌的适应性及生存等。本文探讨Rcs双组分系统传感器激酶RcsC对禽致病性大肠杆菌(avian pathogenic Escherichia coli,APEC)相关生物学特性及致病性的影响。【方法】采用Red同源重组的方法构建rcsC基因缺失株,并利用互补质粒构建互补株,然后比较野生株、基因缺失株与互补株的生长特性、运动性、生物被膜、凝集沉淀能力、致病力及毒力基因转录水平的差异。【结果】rcsC基因缺失不影响APEC的生长速度,然而,缺失RcsC导致APEC的运动能力升高、生物被膜形成能力降低和凝集能力增强。凝集试验结果显示rcsC基因有助于APEC的凝集沉降。细胞黏附入侵结果表明,rcsC在APEC侵袭DF-1细胞过程中发挥作用,而对黏附能力无影响。动物感染试验结果表明rcsC基因缺失能显著降低APEC的毒力。荧光定量PCR检测结果表明,rcsC基因缺失株中ompA、aatA、fyuA和luxS基因的转录水平均显著降低,而fimC和tsh基因的转录水平显著升高。【结论】RcsC参与调控APEC的运动性、生物被膜形成、凝集沉降和致病力。     

Zoonotic Potential of Escherichia coli Isolates from Retail Chicken Meat Products and Eggs

Chicken products are suspected as a source of extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli (ExPEC), which causes diseases in humans. The zoonotic risk to humans from chicken-source E. coli is not fully elucidated. To clarify the zoonotic risk posed by ExPEC in chicken products and to fill existing knowledge gaps regarding ExPEC zoonosis, we evaluated the prevalence of ExPEC on shell eggs and compared virulence-associated phenotypes between ExPEC and non-ExPEC isolates from both chicken meat and eggs. The prevalence of ExPEC among egg-source isolates was low, i.e., 5/108 (4.7%). Based on combined genotypic and phenotypic screening results, multiple human and avian pathotypes were represented among the chicken-source ExPEC isolates, including avian-pathogenic E. coli (APEC), uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC), neonatal meningitis E. coli (NMEC), and sepsis-associated E. coli (SEPEC), as well as an undefined ExPEC group, which included isolates with fewer virulence factors than the APEC, UPEC, and NMEC isolates. These findings document a substantial prevalence of human-pathogenic ExPEC-associated genes and phenotypes among E. coli isolates from retail chicken products and identify key virulence traits that could be used for screening.     

Prevalence of avian-pathogenic Escherichia coli strain O1 genomic islands among extraintestinal and commensal E. coli isolates

Escherichia coli strains that cause disease outside the intestine are known as extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC) and include pathogens of humans and animals. Previously, the genome of avian-pathogenic E. coli (APEC) O1:K1:H7 strain O1, from ST95, was sequenced and compared to those of several other E. coli strains, identifying 43 genomic islands. Here, the genomic islands of APEC O1 were compared to those of other sequenced E. coli strains, and the distribution of 81 genes belonging to 12 APEC O1 genomic islands among 828 human and avian ExPEC and commensal E. coli isolates was determined. Multiple islands were highly prevalent among isolates belonging to the O1 and O18 serogroups within phylogenetic group B2, which are implicated in human neonatal meningitis. Because of the extensive genomic similarities between APEC O1 and other human ExPEC strains belonging to the ST95 phylogenetic lineage, its ability to cause disease in a rat model of sepsis and meningitis was assessed. Unlike other ST95 lineage strains, APEC O1 was unable to cause bacteremia or meningitis in the neonatal rat model and was significantly less virulent than uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) CFT073 in a mouse sepsis model, despite carrying multiple neonatal meningitis E. coli (NMEC) virulence factors and belonging to the ST95 phylogenetic lineage. These results suggest that host adaptation or genome modifications have occurred either in APEC O1 or in highly virulent ExPEC isolates, resulting in differences in pathogenicity. Overall, the genomic islands examined provide targets for further discrimination of the different ExPEC subpathotypes, serogroups, phylogenetic types, and sequence types.     

The genome sequence of avian pathogenic Escherichia coli strain O1:K1:H7 shares strong similarities with human extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli genomes

Escherichia coli strains that cause disease outside the intestine are known as extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC) and include human uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) and avian pathogenic E. coli (APEC). Regardless of host of origin, ExPEC strains share many traits. It has been suggested that these commonalities may enable APEC to cause disease in humans. Here, we begin to test the hypothesis that certain APEC strains possess potential to cause human urinary tract infection through virulence genotyping of 1,000 APEC and UPEC strains, generation of the first complete genomic sequence of an APEC (APEC O1:K1:H7) strain, and comparison of this genome to all available human ExPEC genomic sequences. The genomes of APEC O1 and three human UPEC strains were found to be remarkably similar, with only 4.5% of APEC O1's genome not found in other sequenced ExPEC genomes. Also, use of multilocus sequence typing showed that some of the sequenced human ExPEC strains were more like APEC O1 than other human ExPEC strains. This work provides evidence that at least some human and avian ExPEC strains are highly similar to one another, and it supports the possibility that a food-borne link between some APEC and UPEC strains exists. Future studies are necessary to assess the ability of APEC to overcome the hurdles necessary for such a food-borne transmission, and epidemiological studies are required to confirm that such a phenomenon actually occurs.     

Signature-Tagged Mutagenesis in a Chicken Infection Model Leads to the Identification of a Novel Avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli Fimbrial Adhesin

The extraintestinal pathogen, avian pathogenic E. coli (APEC), known to cause systemic infections in chickens, is responsible for large economic losses in the poultry industry worldwide. In order to identify genes involved in the early essential stages of pathogenesis, namely adhesion and colonization, Signature-tagged mutagenesis (STM) was applied to a previously established lung colonization model of infection by generating and screening a total of 1,800 mutants of an APEC strain IMT5155 (O2:K1:H5; Sequence type complex 95). The study led to the identification of new genes of interest, including two adhesins, one of which coded for a novel APEC fimbrial adhesin (Yqi) not described for its role in APEC pathogenesis to date. Its gene product has been temporarily designated ExPEC Adhesin I (EA/I) until the adhesin-specific receptor is identified. Deletion of the ExPEC adhesin I gene resulted in reduced colonization ability by APEC strain IMT5155 both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, complementation of the adhesin gene restored its ability to colonize epithelial cells in vitro. The ExPEC adhesin I protein was successfully expressed in vitro. Electron microscopy of an afimbriate strain E. coli AAEC189 over-expressed with the putative EA/I gene cluster revealed short fimbrial-like appendages protruding out of the bacterial outer membrane. We observed that this adhesin coding gene yqi is prevalent among extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC) isolates, including APEC (54.4%), uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) (65.9%) and newborn meningitic E. coli (NMEC) (60.0%), and absent in all of the 153 intestinal pathogenic E. coli strains tested, thereby validating the designation of the adhesin as ExPEC Adhesin I. In addition, prevalence of EA/I was most frequently associated with the B2 group of the EcoR classification and ST95 complex of the multi locus sequence typing (MLST) scheme, with evidence of a positive selection within this highly pathogenic complex. This is the first report of the newly identified and functionally characterized ExPEC adhesin I and its significant role during APEC infection in chickens.     

Comparison of extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli strains from human and avian sources reveals a mixed subset representing potential zoonotic pathogens

Since extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli (ExPEC) strains from human and avian hosts encounter similar challenges in establishing infection in extraintestinal locations, they may share similar contents of virulence genes and capacities to cause disease. In the present study, 1,074 ExPEC isolates were classified by phylogenetic group and possession of 67 other traits, including virulence-associated genes and plasmid replicon types. These ExPEC isolates included 452 avian pathogenic E. coli strains from avian colibacillosis, 91 neonatal meningitis E. coli (NMEC) strains causing human neonatal meningitis, and 531 uropathogenic E. coli strains from human urinary tract infections. Cluster analysis of the data revealed that most members of each subpathotype represent a genetically distinct group and have distinguishing characteristics. However, a genotyping cluster containing 108 ExPEC isolates was identified, heavily mixed with regard to subpathotype, in which there was substantial trait overlap. Many of the isolates within this cluster belonged to the O1, O2, or O18 serogroup. Also, 58% belonged to the ST95 multilocus sequence typing group, and over 90% of them were assigned to the B2 phylogenetic group typical of human ExPEC strains. This cluster contained strains with a high number of both chromosome- and plasmid-associated ExPEC genes. Further characterization of this ExPEC subset with zoonotic potential urges future studies exploring the potential for the transmission of certain ExPEC strains between humans and animals. Also, the widespread occurrence of plasmids among NMEC strains and members of the mixed cluster suggests that plasmid-mediated virulence in these pathotypes warrants further attention.     

Common and specific genomic sequences of avian and human extraintestinal pathogenic <Emphasis Type="Italic">Escherichia coli</Emphasis> as determined by genomic subtractive hybridization

Background  

Suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) strategy was used with extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli (EXPEC) that cause avian colibacillosis (avian pathogenic E. coli or APEC) and human urinary tract infections (uropathogenic E. coli or UPEC) to determine if they possessed genes that were host and/or niche specific. Both APEC and UPEC isolates were used as tester and driver strains in 4 different SSHs in order to obtain APEC- and UPEC-specific subtraction fragments (SFs).     

Free-Ranging Frigates (Fregata magnificens) of the Southeast Coast of Brazil Harbor Extraintestinal Pathogenic Escherichia coli Resistant to Antimicrobials

Seabirds may be responsible for the spread of pathogenic/resistant organisms over great distances, playing a relevant role within the context of the One World, One Health concept. Diarrheagenic E. coli strains, known as STEC (shiga toxin-producing E. coli), and the extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC and the subpathotype APEC), are among the E. coli pathotypes with zoonotic potential associated with the birds. In order to identify health threats carried by frigates and to evaluate the anthropic influence on the southern coast of Brazil, the aim of this work was to characterize E. coli isolated from free-ranging frigates in relation to virulence genotypes, serotypes, phylogenetic groups and antimicrobial resistance. Cloacal and choanal swabs were sampled from 38 Fregata magnificens from two oceanic islands and one rescue center. Forty-three E. coli strains were recovered from 33 out of the 38 birds (86.8%); 88.4% of strains showed some of the virulence genes (VGs) searched, 48.8% contained three or more VGs. None of the strains presented VGs related to EPEC/STEC. Some of the isolates showed virulence genotypes, phylogenetic groups and serotypes of classical human ExPEC or APEC (O2:H7, O1:H6, ONT:H7, O25:H4). Regarding antimicrobial susceptibility, 62.8% showed resistance, and 11.6% (5/43) were multidrug-resistant. The E. coli present in the intestines of the frigates may reflect the environmental human impact on southeast coast of Brazil; they may also represent an unexplored threat for seabird species, especially considering the overlap of pathogenic potential and antimicrobial resistance present in these strains.     

Diversity of Multi-Drug Resistant Avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) Causing Outbreaks of Colibacillosis in Broilers during 2012 in Spain

Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) are the major cause of colibacillosis in poultry production. In this study, a total of 22 E. coli isolated from colibacillosis field cases and 10 avian faecal E. coli (AFEC) were analysed. All strains were characterised phenotypically by susceptibility testing and molecular typing methods such as pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and multi-locus sequence typing (MLST). The presence of 29 virulence genes associated to APEC and human extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC) was also evaluated. For cephalosporin resistant isolates, cephalosporin resistance genes, plasmid location and replicon typing was assessed. Avian isolates belonged to 26 O:H serotypes and 24 sequence types. Out of 22 APEC isolates, 91% contained the virulence genes predictors of APEC; iutA, hlyF, iss, iroN and ompT. Of all strains, 34% were considered ExPEC. PFGE analysis demonstrated a high degree of genetic polymorphism. All strains were multi-resistant, including those isolated from healthy animals. Eleven strains were resistant to cephalosporins; six contained bla _CTX-M-14, two bla _SHV-12, two bla _CMY-2 and one bla _SHV-2. Two strains harboured qnrA, and two qnrA together with aac(6’)-Ib-cr. Additionally, the emergent clone O25b:H4-B2-ST131 was isolated from a healthy animal which harboured bla _CMY-2 and qnrS genes. Cephalosporin resistant genes were mainly associated to the presence of IncK replicons. This study demonstrates a very diverse population of multi-drug resistant E. coli containing a high number of virulent genes. The E. coli population among broilers is a reservoir of resistance and virulence-associated genes that could be transmitted into the community through the food chain. More epidemiological studies are necessary to identify clonal groups and resistance mechanisms with potential relevance to public health.     

Suppression subtractive hybridization identifies an autotransporter adhesin gene of <Emphasis Type="Italic">E. coli</Emphasis> IMT5155 specifically associated with avian pathogenic <Emphasis Type="Italic">Escherichia coli</Emphasis> (APEC)

Background  

Extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC) represent a phylogenetically diverse group of bacteria which are implicated in a large range of infections in humans and animals. Although subgroups of different ExPEC pathotypes, including uropathogenic, newborn meningitis causing, and avian pathogenic E. coli (APEC) share a number of virulence features, there still might be factors specifically contributing to the pathogenesis of a certain subset of strains or a distinct pathotype. Thus, we made use of suppression subtractive hybridization and compared APEC strain IMT5155 (O2:K1:H5; sequence type complex 95) with human uropathogenic E. coli strain CFT073 (O6:K2:H5; sequence type complex 73) to identify factors which may complete the currently existing model of APEC pathogenicity and further elucidate the position of this avian pathoype within the whole ExPEC group.     

Intestine and Environment of the Chicken as Reservoirs for Extraintestinal Pathogenic Escherichia coli Strains with Zoonotic Potential

Although research has increasingly focused on the pathogenesis of avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) infections and the “APEC pathotype” itself, little is known about the reservoirs of these bacteria. We therefore compared outbreak strains isolated from diseased chickens (n = 121) with nonoutbreak strains, including fecal E. coli strains from clinically healthy chickens (n = 211) and strains from their environment (n = 35) by determining their virulence gene profiles, phylogenetic backgrounds, responses to chicken serum, and in vivo pathogenicities in a chicken infection model. In general, by examining 46 different virulence-associated genes we were able to distinguish the three groups of avian strains, but some specific fecal and environmental isolates had a virulence gene profile that was indistinguishable from that determined for outbreak strains. In addition, a substantial number of phylogenetic EcoR group B2 strains, which are known to include potent human and animal extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC) strains, were identified among the APEC strains (44.5%) as well as among the fecal E. coli strains from clinically healthy chickens (23.2%). Comparably high percentages (79.2 to 89.3%) of serum-resistant strains were identified for all three groups of strains tested, bringing into question the usefulness of this phenotype as a principal marker for extraintestinal virulence. Intratracheal infection of 5-week-old chickens corroborated the pathogenicity of a number of nonoutbreak strains. Multilocus sequence typing data revealed that most strains that were virulent in chicken infection experiments belonged to sequence types that are almost exclusively associated with extraintestinal diseases not only in birds but also in humans, like septicemia, urinary tract infection, and newborn meningitis, supporting the hypothesis that not the ecohabitat but the phylogeny of E. coli strains determines virulence. These data provide strong evidence for an avian intestinal reservoir hypothesis which could be used to develop intestinal intervention strategies. These strains pose a zoonotic risk because either they could be transferred directly from birds to humans or they could serve as a genetic pool for ExPEC strains.