Cytotoxic and hemolytic activities in uropathogenic Escherichia coli

Fifty nine Escherichia coli strains obtained from patients with upper or lower urinary tract infections (UTI) and 30 E. coli strains isolated from stools of healthy individuals were tested for hemolytic and cytotoxic activities. Forty four percent of uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) and 3.3% of fecal E. coli were hemolytic. Among the hemolytic UPEC, 92% produced alpha-hemolysin. A cytotoxic activity was detected in culture filtrates of 71% of UPEC strains and 30% of fecal E. coli. No relationship was found between cytotoxic and hemolytic activities or between cytotoxic titers and UPEC origin (upper or lower UTI). E. coli cytotoxin has a cytocidal activity against some epithelioid cultured cell lines (Vero, HeLa and Hep-2) but was almost inactive for avian-fibroblast cells. Cytotoxin-affected cells appeared rounded, refractile and detached from the surface of the vessel. Some characteristics exhibited by the cytotoxin as the morphological response induced on cells, the increasing of cytopathic effect with time, its irreversible cytocidal activity and its heat-lability resemble the properties described for E. coli Verotoxin (VT). Adherence to uroepithelial cells is recognized as a virulence factor for UPEC. It is suggested that cell damage by cytotoxic and adhering UPEC might contribute to E. coli virulence to urinary tract.