Feline uropathogenic Escherichia coli from Great Britain and New Zealand have dissimilar virulence factor genotypes

Isolation and characterization of Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) from red panda (Ailurus fulgens)

BACKGROUND

Disease prevention and control is a significant part in the ex-situ conservation of the endangered red panda (Ailurus fulgens), being bacterial infection is one of the most important health threats to the captive population. To date, studies about the infection caused by Escherichia coli in the red panda are scarce. This study was conducted to determine the cause of death of a captive red panda through clinical symptoms, complete blood count, biochemical analysis, pathological diagnosis and bacterial whole genome sequencing.

CASE PRESENTATION

The following report describes a case of a 1.5 year old captive red panda (Ailurus fulgens) that was found lethargic and anorectic. She was moved to the quarantine area for daily treatment with 50 mg of Cefpodoxime Proxetil. During the three-day treatment, she did not eat or defecate, and then died. Clinical hematology revealed the values of neutrophils, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were significantly higher. Histological analysis demonstrated major pathological damage in the kidneys, liver and lungs, characterized by hyperemia, parenchymal cell degeneration and necrosis and inflammatory cell infiltration which were predominantly neutrophilic. A bacterial strain confirmed as Escherichia coli was isolated post mortem. Whole genome sequencing of the E. coli showed the complete genome size was 4.99 Mbp. PapA, PapC, OmpA, OmpU and other virulence factors which specific to Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) were found in the isolate. Among the virulence factors, P pili, type I pili and related factors of the iron uptake system were associated with nephrotoxicity.

CONCLUSION

The red panda died of bacterial infection caused by an uropathogenic strain of Escherichia coli. The pathogenic mechanisms of the strain are closely related to the expression of specific virulence genes.

Broad-Spectrum Cephalosporin-Resistant and/or Fluoroquinolone-Resistant Enterobacterales Associated with Canine and Feline Urogenital Infections

The aim of the present study was to characterize Enterobacterales resistant to 3rd and 4th generation cephalosporins, carbapenems and/or fluoroquinolones, isolated from dogs and cats with urogenital infections. In total, 36 strains (Escherichia coli (n = 28), Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 3), Serratia marcescens, Raoultella ornithinolytica, Proteus mirabilis, Citrobacter portucalensis and Enterobacter cloacae (each n = 1)) were included in the present study, 28 from Austria and 8 from Serbia. Isolates were characterized by a polyphasic approach including susceptibility pheno- and genotyping and microarray-based assays. Escherichia (E.) coli isolates were additionally characterized by two-locus (fumC and fimH) sequence phylotyping and multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) of selected isolates. MLST of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacter cloacae isolates was also performed. Among E. coli, the most dominant phylogenetic group was B1 (27.8%), followed by C, (16.6%), A and Clade II (5.5% each), B2 and F (2.77% each). The most predominant β-lactam resistance genes were blaTEM (70%) and blaCTX-M (38.8%), blaCMY (25%). blaNDM was detected in one carbapenem-resistant Enterobacter cloacae ST114. The most common ST among selected E. coli was 744 (10.7% isolates). The pandemic clones ST131 and ST648 carrying CTX-M-15 were also detected. Remaining STs belonged to 469, 1287, 1463 and 1642. E. coli clonotyping revealed 20 CH types. Based on the presence of certain virulence genes, three isolates were categorized as ExPEC/UPEC. The most prevalent virulence factors were fimH detected in 61%, iucD and iss both in 55%, iroN in 27.8%, papC in 13.8% and sat in 8.3% isolates.

Multilocus Sequence Typing and Virulence Profiles in Uropathogenic Escherichia coli Isolated from Cats in the United States

The population structure, virulence, and antimicrobial resistance of uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) from cats are rarely characterized. The aim of this study was to compare and characterize the UPEC isolated from cats in four geographic regions of USA in terms of their multilocus sequence typing (MLST), virulence profiles, clinical signs, antimicrobial resistance and phylogenetic grouping. The results showed that a total of 74 E. coli isolates were typed to 40 sequence types with 10 being novel. The most frequent phylogenetic group was B2 (n = 57). The most frequent sequence types were ST73 (n = 12) and ST83 (n = 6), ST73 was represented by four multidrug resistant (MDR) and eight non-multidrug resistant (SDR) isolates, and ST83 were significantly more likely to exhibit no drug resistant (NDR) isolates carrying the highest number of virulence genes. Additionally, MDR isolates were more diverse, and followed by SDR and NDR isolates in regards to the distribution of the STs. afa/draBC was the most prevalent among the 29 virulence-associated genes. Linking virulence profile and antimicrobial resistance, the majority of virulence-associated genes tested were more prevalent in NDR isolates, and followed by SDR and MDR isolates. Twenty (50%) MLST types in this study have previously been associated with human isolates, suggesting that these STs are potentially zoonotic. Our data enhanced the understanding of E. coli population structure and virulence association from cats. The diverse and various combinations of virulence-associated genes implied that the infection control may be challenging.

Differences in extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producing Escherichia coli virulence factor genes in the Baltic Sea region

The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence of different virulence factor (VF) genes in extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing Escherichia coli strains isolated from the Baltic Sea region. A total of 432 strains of phenotypically ESBL positive E. coli were collected from 20 institutions located in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and the region of St. Petersburg in Russia from January to May 2012 and analyzed for phylogenetic group and prevalence of 23 VF genes. The strains were collected from clinical material (urine, blood, wound, and respiratory tract). Bacterial isolates were compared according to phylogenetic group, clinical material, and geographical origin. Most of the VF genes were concentrated within phylogenetic group B2 and/or D. When comparing strains isolated from different countries, it was found that strains originating from Estonia and Latvia belonged mainly to group B2 and strains from Lithuania and Russia mainly to groups B2 and D. The P-fimbrial adhesin gene papEF was more prevalent in Russian strains, colicin gene cvaC in Lithuanian strains, and capsular gene kpsMTII in Latvian strains; serum resistant gene traT was less prevalent in Estonian strains. The regional differences of VF genes remained statistically significant after taking into account the phylogenetic distribution in the countries.

Virulence characteristics and phylogenetic background of ciprofloxacin resistant Escherichia coli in the urine samples from Korean women with acute uncomplicated cystitis

To clarify the characteristics of the virulence factors (VFs) of ciprofloxacin resistant Escherichia coli (CFRE) with acute uncomplicated cystitis (AUC), we determined the VFs and the phylogenetic background of all 54 CFRE strains and the 55 randomly selected ciprofloxacin sensitive E. coli strains (CFSE) from patients with AUC in 22 Korean hospitals. The prevalence of the VFs was as follows: fimA, papEF, papGIII, sfaI, dafaBC, cnf1, and hlyA were presented in 96%, 54%, 68%, 91%, 49%, 72%, and 29% of the samples, respectively. The expressions of papEF, cnf1, and hlyA were significantly more prevalent in the CFSE. Moreover, the expressions of cnf, and papEF significantly reduced the risk of ciprofloxacin resistance. The CFSE was also marginally associated with the group B2 (P=0.05). Although the presence of pyuria and a previous cystitis history were not related with the phylotyping and the expressions of VFs, group B2, and fimA and papEF were more expressed in the younger age patients (P<0.05). In conclusion, the CFRE exhibits a selective loss of VFs and the non-B2 phylotype in Korean AUC patients. The group B2 and the presence of fimA and papEF are associated with a younger age of AUC patients.

Virulence potential of Escherichia coli isolates from skin and soft tissue infections

Escherichia coli strains frequently are isolated from skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI); however, their virulence potential has not yet been extensively studied. In the present study, we characterized 102 E. coli SSTI strains isolated mostly from surgical and traumatic wounds, foot ulcers, and decubitus. The strains were obtained from the Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia. Phylogenetic backgrounds, virulence factors (VFs), and antibiotic resistance profiles were determined. Correlations between VFs and phylogenetic groups were established and analyzed with regard to patient factors. Further, the associations of the three most prevalent antibiotic resistance patterns with virulence potential were analyzed. Our results showed that the majority of the studied strains (64%) [corrected] belonged to the B2 phylogenetic group. The most prevalent VF was ompT (80%), while toxin genes cnf1 and hlyA were found with prevalences of 32 and 30%, respectively. None of the investigated bacterial characteristics were significantly associated with patient gender, age, type of infection, or immunodeficiency. The most prevalent antibiotic resistance pattern was resistance to ampicillin (46%), followed by resistance to tetracycline (25%) and fluoroquinolones (21%). Strains resistant to ciprofloxacin exhibited a significantly reduced prevalence of cnf1 (P < 0.05) and usp (P < 0.01). Our study revealed that E. coli isolates from SSTIs exhibit a remarkable virulence potential that is comparable to that of E. coli isolates from urinary tract infections and bacteremia.

Comparison of Escherichia coli uropathogenic genes (kps, usp and ireA) and enteroaggregative genes (aggR and aap) via multiplex polymerase chain reaction from suprapubic urine specimens of young children with fever

OBJECTIVE

Escherichia coli is the most frequently identified microbiological agent in childhood urinary tract infections (UTIs). However, the pathogenic role of this organism in young children remains to be clearly elucidated. So far, no studies have been conducted in which multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has been applied to determine the association between childhood UTIs and E. coli and urovirulent genes.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Altogether, 330 suprapubic urine specimens from febrile young children were cultured. In 33 of the cases, E. coli was identified; among these cases, 18 had a UTI (>10(4)-10(5) cfu/ml), four had a suspected UTI (>10(2)-10(3) cfu/ml) and 11 did not have UTIs (10(2) cfu/ml). Using multiplex PCR, three uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) genes and two enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC) genes were detected.

RESULTS

In the UTI-UPEC cases, the kps gene was detected in 18 of 22 cases (82%) and the usp gene in 16 of 22 cases (73%). Among the 18 cases of children with UTIs characterized by 10(4)-10(5) E. coli cfu/ml, urinary tract abnormalities were identified via dimercaptosuccinic acid scans in seven of 18 cases (39%) and via voiding cystourethrograms in four of the 18 cases (22%).

CONCLUSIONS

The UPEC kps and usp genes were clearly associated with childhood UTIs, and may also be associated with kidney or urinary tract dysfunctions in young children. Escherichia coli colony count numbers in excess of 10(4)-10(5) cfu/ml in the suprapubic urine were considered to be strong evidence of UTI in infants.

Bronchopneumonia associated with extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli in a horse

Extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli (ExPEC) strains carrying distinct virulence attributes are known to cause diseases in humans and animals and infect organs other than the gastrointestinal tract. A fatal case of bronchopneumonia in a 12-year-old female Quarterhorse was investigated. Following postmortem examination, E. coli, Enterococcus sp., and Klebsiella pneumonia were isolated from the lungs, which contained multifocal intra-alveolar accumulations of neutrophils and macrophages with edema, hemorrhage, and fibrin. The strain of E. coli belonged to O2H21 and carried virulence genes cnf1, sfa, foc, fimA, and papG allele I that are known to be associated with ExPEC strains. The strain was resistant to several antimicrobials including clindamycin, erythromycin, oxacillin, penicillin, and rifampin. This is the first report, to the authors' knowledge, in which ExPEC O2H21 has been associated with fatal bronchopneumonia in a horse.

Extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli-induced acute necrotizing pneumonia in cats

Extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli (ExPEC) are pathogens involved in several disease conditions, ranging from urinary tract infection to meningitis in humans and animals. They comprise epidemiologically and phylogenetically distinct strains, affecting most species and involving any organ or anatomical site. Here, we report fatal cases of necrotizing pneumonia in cats. Over a 1-week period, 13 cats from an animal shelter in Stamford, Connecticut were presented for necropsy. All had a clinical history of acute respiratory disease. The gross and microscopic findings for all the cats were consistent. Escherichia coli was uniformly isolated from the lungs of all the tested cats. All the isolates were haemolytic, genetically related as determined by enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus PCR, and harboured genes encoding for cytotoxic necrotizing factor-1 and fimbriae and adhesions that are characteristic of ExPEC, implying a point source clonal outbreak. As cats are common household pets, this report raises concerns regarding zoonotic potential (in either direction) for these ExPEC strains.

Extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli

Extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli (ExPEC) possesses virulence traits that allow it to invade, colonize, and induce disease in bodily sites outside of the gastrointestinal tract. Human diseases caused by ExPEC include urinary tract infections, neonatal meningitis, sepsis, pneumonia, surgical site infections, as well as infections in other extraintestinal locations. ExPEC-induced diseases represent a large burden in terms of medical costs and productivity losses. In addition to human illnesses, ExPEC strains also cause extraintestinal infections in domestic animals and pets. A commonality of virulence factors has been demonstrated between human and animal ExPEC, suggesting that the organisms are zoonotic pathogens. ExPEC strains have been isolated from food products, in particular from raw meats and poultry, indicating that these organisms potentially represent a new class of foodborne pathogens. This review discusses various aspects of ExPEC, including its presence in food products, in animals used for food or as companion pets; the diseases ExPEC can cause; and the virulence factors and virulence mechanisms that cause disease.