Sequence of the E. coli O104 antigen gene cluster and identification of O104 specific genes

The Escherichia coli O104 polysaccharide is an important antigen, which contains sialic acid and is often associated with EHEC clones. Sialic acid is a component of many animal tissues, and its presence in bacterial polysaccharides may contribute to bacterial pathogenicity. We sequenced the genes responsible for O104 antigen synthesis and have found genes which from their sequences are identified as an O antigen polymerase gene, an O antigen flippase gene, three CMP-sialic acid synthesis genes, and three potential glycosyl transferase genes. The E. coli K9 group IB capsular antigen has the same structure as the O104 O antigen, and we find using gene by gene PCR that the K9 gene cluster is essentially the same as that for O104. It appears that the distinction between presence as group IB capsule or O antigen for this structure does not involve any difference in genes present in the O antigen gene cluster. By PCR testing against representative strains for the 166 E. coli O antigens and some randomly selected Gram-negative bacteria, we identified three O antigen genes which are highly specific to O104/K9. This work provides the basis for a sensitive test for rapid detection of O104 E. coli. This is important both for decisions on patient care as early treatment may reduce the risk of life-threatening complications and for a faster response in control of food borne outbreaks.     

Constitutive expression of Pasteurella multocida toxin

Abstract The introduction of a plasmid containing skc (streptokinase-coding gene) fused with ompA signal sequence into Escherichia coli K-12 strains, rendered the bacteria mucoid. Measurement of the synthesis of β-galactosidase from a cps-lacZ fusion ( lacZ fusion to a gene necessary for capsule synthesis) showed that the mucoid phenotype was due to induction of the capsular polysaccharide colanic acid synthesis. The introduction of a plasmid carrying skc fused with malE (gene encoding maltose-binding protein) also induced cps-lacZ expression, but intracellular expression of streptokinase in E. coli did not. The cps expression by secretion of streptokinase was diminished to the basal level in a cps-lacZ strain carrying a rcsC mutation. These results show that the secretion of streptokinase in E. coli induces colanic acid synthesis through the RcsC-dependent pathway.     

Typing of toxic strains of Clostridium difficile using DNA fingerprints generated with arbitrary polymerase chain reaction primers

Clostridium difficile is the causative agent for pseudomembranous colitis in humans. Toxic strains of C. difficile produce two toxins, toxin A and toxin B. A reliable and definitive method of typing the toxic strains of C. difficile is needed since nosocomial cross infection is a primary concern in hospitals and other health care facilities. A method for typing toxic strains of Clostridium difficile using arbitrary polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers is presented in this study. The C. difficile strains were initially characterized for the toxin A genetic determinant using specific PCR primers which differentiate toxin positive from toxin negative strains. These toxic strains were then PCR typed using six arbitrary primers which generated DNA patterns that were unique for all toxic strains examined. The use of this typing scheme in clinical applications is discussed.     

A small and compact genome in the marine cyanobacterium Prochlorococcus marinus CCMP 1375: lack of an intron in the gene for tRNA(Leu)(UAA) and a single copy of the rRNA operon

PCR-ribotying, a typing method based on polymorphism in the 16S-23S intergenic spacer region, has been recently used to investigate outbreaks due to Clostridium difficile. However, this method generates bands of high and close molecular masses which are difficult to separate on agarose gel electrophoresis. To improve reading of banding patterns of PCR-ribotyping applied to C. difficile, a partial sequencing of the rRNA genes (16S and 23S) and intergenic spacer region has been performed, then a new set of primers located closer to the intergenic spacer region has been defined. The new PCR gave reproducible patterns of bands easy to separate on agarose gel electrophoresis. Each of the 10 serogroups and 11 subgroups of serogroup A produced a different pattern. This typing method has evidenced major qualities such as easiness, rapidity and reproducibility. However, its discriminatory power has to be evaluated to validate its importance as a typing tool for C. difficile.     

乳酸杆菌细胞裂解物对金黄色葡萄球菌、大肠埃希菌的抑制作用

目的探讨乳杆菌DM8909裂解物在体内外对金黄色葡萄球菌、大肠埃希菌的抑制作用。方法通过对乳杆菌超声波破碎制成裂解物,分别用乳杆菌裂解物原液、裂解物稀释液、发酵上清液、乳杆菌活菌制剂进行体内、体外实验,观察乳杆菌各成分对金黄色葡萄球菌、大肠埃希菌的抑制作用。结果德氏乳酸杆菌裂解物对金黄色葡萄球菌、大肠埃希菌的抑制作用与乳杆菌活菌制剂的抑制作用相近。结论德氏乳酸杆菌裂解物在体内外对金黄色葡萄球菌、大肠埃希菌均有较强的抑制作用。     

Nucleotide sequence of the ethidium efflux gene from Escherichia coli

The nucleotide sequence of the gene specifying the ethidium efflux system of Escherichia coli has been determined. The translated open reading frame has identified a membrane-bound polypeptide of 110 amino acids (11,960 Da) which shares 42% identity with a staphylococcal protein specifying resistance to ethidium.     

Molecular characterization of the capsular antigens of Pasteurella multocida isolates using multiplex PCR

The use of molecular techniques for detection and characterization of the Pasteurella multocida is very important for rapid and specific detection and characterization of the organism. During the period from 15th February, 2014 to 15th April, 2015, 425 nasopharyngeal swabs and 175 lung and spleen samples were collected and examined by conventional methods, 80 strains (18.82%) of P. multocida were isolated from the calves, sheep and goat with respiratory manifestation. Meanwhile, 77 strains (44%) were isolated from emergency slaughtered animals. All the recovered strains were positive for specific PCR for detection of P. multocida strains previously identified as P. multocida by standard microbiological techniques. Multiplex PCR for molecular typing of the capsular antigens of the recovered P. multocida revealed positive amplification of 1044 bp fragments specific to the capsular antigen type A with 105 strains (66.88%), and amplification 511 bp fragments of the capsular antigen type E with 52 strain (33.12%) and absence of B, D and F antigens. Multiplex PCR for molecular typing of the capsular antigens of P. multocida can be used as a simple, sensitive, rapid, reliable technique instead of the serological techniques for identification of the capsular antigens of P. multocida     

Atypical enteropathogenic Escherichia coli genomic background allows the acquisition of non-EPEC virulence factors

Atypical enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (aEPEC) has been associated with infantile diarrhea in many countries. The clonal structure of aEPEC is the object of active investigation but few works have dealt with its genetic relationship with other diarrheagenic E. coli (DEC). This study aimed to evaluate the genetic relationship of aEPEC with other DEC pathotypes. The phylogenetic relationships of DEC strains were evaluated by multilocus sequence typing. Genetic diversity was assessed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). The phylogram showed that aEPEC strains were distributed in four major phylogenetic groups (A, B1, B2 and D). Cluster I (group B1) contains the majority of the strains and other pathotypes [enteroaggregative, enterotoxigenic and enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC)]; cluster II (group A) also contains enteroaggregative and diffusely adherent E. coli ; cluster III (group B2) has atypical and typical EPEC possessing H6 or H34 antigen; and cluster IV (group D) contains aEPEC O55:H7 strains and EHEC O157:H7 strains. PFGE analysis confirmed that these strains encompass a great genetic diversity. These results indicate that aEPEC clonal groups have a particular genomic background – especially the strains of phylogenetic group B1 – that probably made possible the acquisition and expression of virulence factors derived from non-EPEC pathotypes.     

磷脂酰丝氨酸合成酶基因pss的克隆与表达

磷脂酰丝氨酸合成酶能催化转酯反应,是定向合成特定磷脂类物质特别是磷脂酰丝氨酸的工具酶,但出发菌株产量低,很大程度上限制了酶法合成磷脂酰丝氨酸的工业化应用。利用表达载体pET-22b,实现了大肠杆菌磷脂酰丝氨酸合成酶基因在大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)中的同源高效表达。利用镍亲和柱对表达产物进行纯化,并用HPLC法对纯化后的重组酶的活力进行检测。结果表明,目的蛋白可在短时间内进行大量表达,蛋白含量是出发菌株的100倍,同时经6h的转酯反应转化率达到33%,重组磷脂酰丝氨酸合成酶活力达到69U/mg蛋白。     

A type II restriction endonuclease of Streptococcus thermophilus ST117

Three separate sets of polymerase chain reaction primers were designed to specifically detect the presence of a toxin A gene fragment, a toxin B gene fragment, and the entire toxin B gene. In addition toxin gene fragments that were amplified from well characterized toxic strains were tagged fluorescently and used as hybridization probes to screen C. difficile strains. A survey of 37 toxic strains and 10 non-toxic strains demonstrated that toxic strains normally contain the genetic composition for toxin A and toxin B simultaneously; whereas, non-toxic strains typically did not contain detectable toxin determinants. The only exception found was strain 39, which had the genetic composition for toxins A and B, but was not cytotoxic under the conditions tested.     

不同浓度酒精对两种常见细菌生物膜的影响

目的 探讨不同浓度的酒精对金黄色葡萄球菌和大肠杆菌生物膜形成的抑制作用.方法 配制不同浓度的酒精(1.25％、2.5％、5％和10％),作用于培养24 h形成成熟生物膜的金黄色葡萄球菌和大肠埃希菌,利用FDA/PI荧光染料染色,在激光共聚焦显微镜扫描生物膜并分析活菌与死菌比例.结果 不同浓度的酒精对两种细菌生物膜的形成均有一定破坏作用,5％、10％浓度酒精对金黄色葡萄球菌生物膜破坏最大,活菌与死菌比例为0.142 ±0.007、0.006±0.001;10％浓度酒精对大肠埃希菌生物膜破坏最大,活菌与死菌比例为5.751±1.779.结论 较低浓度的酒精可抑制金黄色葡萄球菌和大肠埃希菌生物膜的形成,且10％浓度的酒精效果最好.     

聚乙二醇小檗碱液对大肠埃希菌和金黄色葡萄球菌生长的抑制作用

目的 明确聚乙二醇小檗碱液在琼脂培养基表面的抑菌特点,及其对大肠埃希菌和金黄色葡萄球菌的标准菌株、抗生素敏感菌株与多重耐药菌株生长的抑制作用,研究评价药物在皮肤黏膜表面的抑菌作用的合理实验方法.方法 以大肠埃希菌和金黄色葡萄球菌(标准菌株、抗生素敏感菌株和多重耐药菌株)为研究对象,用常量肉汤稀释法测定聚乙二醇小檗碱液的最低抑菌浓度(Minimum Inhibitory Concentration,MIC);用平皿琼脂培养法和试管肉汤培养法测定不同浓度聚乙二醇小檗碱液的抑菌作用.结果 在不同浓度的聚乙二醇小檗碱液的作用下,在琼脂培养基表面上或肉汤培养基中细菌的生长受到明显抑制,抑制作用与小檗碱浓度正相关,且对抗生素敏感菌株和多重耐药菌株的抑制作用差异无统计学意义;聚乙二醇小檗碱液在平皿琼脂表面和试管肉汤中对大肠埃希菌、金黄色葡萄球菌抑制100％菌株的浓度分别为1 500和375 mg/L、1 500和375 mg/L.聚乙二醇小檗碱液在琼脂培养基表面的抑菌作用明显低于在肉汤培养基中的抑制作用,在琼脂培养基表面的抑菌浓度是肉汤培养基中的抑菌浓度的4倍.并且金黄色葡萄球菌与大肠埃希菌之间差异无统计学意义.聚乙二醇小檗碱液必须达到肉汤培养基中4倍以上浓度时,才能获得抑制100％细菌在琼脂培养基表面生长的效果.结论 高浓度的聚乙二醇小檗碱液可以抑制皮肤黏膜表面的细菌,包括抗生素耐药菌株的生长;皮肤黏膜表面应用聚乙二醇小檗碱液的适宜浓度为1 500 mg/L.琼脂培养基法适用于评价药物在皮肤黏膜表面的抑菌作用.     

Characterization of six type A strains of Clostridium botulinum that contain type B toxin gene sequences

Six Clostridium botulinum isolates exhibiting type A toxicity as measured by the mouse bioassay were found to contain both type A and type B neurotoxin DNA sequences. The six strains were divided into three groups based on the DNA sequence of the type B neurotoxin gene. Members of each group exhibited 100% sequence identity over the 3876 bp type B toxin open reading frame. The type B toxin sequence of all groups differed at more than 60 positions when compared to the BGB control strain.     

Isolation and characterization of Leuconostoc oenos bacteriophages from wine and sugarcane

Twenty bacteriophages specific for Leuconostoc oenos were isolated from South African red wines and sugarcane. Leuconostoc oenos ML34 and PSU-1, used commercially by the wine industry, were sensitive to some of the phages. Ten of the 39 L. oenos strains tested were resistant or insensitive to all phages. The bacteriophages were morphologically similar to Bradley's type B phages, possessing hexagonal heads and long flexible, non-contractile tails. Restriction endonuclease analysis of phage DNA revealed the existence of five genetic groups.     

The phototoxicity of phenothiazinium derivatives against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus

Phenothiazinium dyes, and derivatives, were tested for toxicity to Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The dyes were generally lipophilic (log P>1) and showed inherent dark toxicity (minimum lethal concentrations: 3.1-1000 microM). Dye illumination (total light dose of 3.15 J cm(-1) over 30 min) led to up to eight-fold reductions in minimum lethal concentrations. Most of the illuminated dyes showed significant relative singlet oxygen yields (phi'delta: 0.18-1.35) suggesting a type II mechanism of generating a phototoxic response. Although generally up to six-fold more effective against S. aureus, the dyes tested efficiently killed E. coli and may be of particular use in combating Gram-negative pathogens.     

Comparison of eae, tir, espA and espB genes of bovine and human attaching and effacing Escherichia coli by multiplex polymerase chain reaction

Attaching and effacing Escherichia coli (AEEC) virulence genes include the eae, the tir, the espA and the espB genes. These genes have been sequenced from several AEEC strains. The sequences alignments revealed the presence of constant and variable regions. Multiplex polymerase chain reactions were developed, in order to determine the subtype of each gene present in a particular isolate. AEEC strains isolated from calves dead of diarrhea, from healthy calves and from infected humans were compared. The same pathotypes were found in sick and healthy calves but in inverted proportion. These pathotypes were also found in human AEEC. Although, the human EHEC strains from serotype O157 possessed their own pathotype.     

Detection of urovirulence factors in Escherichia coli by multiplex polymerase chain reaction

Abstract Primers to amplify the genes encoding the virulence factors of uropathogenic Escherichia coli , such as pilus associated with pyelonephritis ( pap ), haemolysin ( hly ), aerobactin ( aer ) and cytotoxic necrotizing factor 1 ( cnf 1) genes, were designed. The above primers along with previously reported primers for S fimbriae ( sfa ) and afimbrial adhesin I ( afaI ) genes were combined to develop a multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for detection of the respective virulence factors and for the identification of uropathogenic E. coli . The multiplex PCR to detect pap, sfa, afa I, hly, aer and cnf 1 genes was highly specific and the sensitivity was found to be about 5 × 10³ colony forming units of E. coli per ml. A total of 194 E. coli strains isolated from patients with simple acute cystitis were examined by the multiplex PCR and the results were in complete agreement with that obtained by DNA colony hybridization test. The multiplex PCR developed was, therefore, concluded to be a useful, sensitive and rapid assay system to identify uropathogenic E. coli .