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Cui J, Dong Y, Chen Q, Zhang C, He K, Hu G, He D, Yuan L. Horizontal transfer characterization of ColV plasmids in bla CTX-M-bearing avian Escherichia coli. Poult Sci 2024; 103:103631. [PMID: 38537404 PMCID: PMC11067769 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2024.103631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Extended-spectrum-β-lactamases (ESBLs)-producing Escherichia coli conferred resistance to most β-lactams, except for carbapenems. To date, the transmission mechanism of blaCTX-M, as the most common ESBLs subtype, in E. coli has received sustained attention around the worldwide, but the research on the pathogenicity of blaCTX-M-bearing E. coli is still scarce. The aims of this study were to discern the spread characteristics of ColV (encoding colicin V) plasmids in blaCTX-M-positive E. coli. The multi-drug resistance traits, phylogroups, and ColV plasmid profilings were screened in 76 blaCTX-M-positive E. coli. Thereafter, the genetic profiles of E. coli G12 and GZM7 were determined by whole genome sequencing, conjugation and S1-pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. The median lethal dose was analyzed in E. coli G12 and TG12A, the ColV-plasmid transconjugant of G12. Of all 76 blaCTX-M-bearing E. coli, 67.11% exhibited resistance to at least 2 drugs in addition to ceftiofur, 14.47% carried ColV-positive plasmids, and 53.95% were phylogroup C. Further studies demonstrated that the blaCTX-M-bearing E. coli G12 was assigned to the predominant lineage O78:H4-ST117 of phylogroup G. In addition, its ColV-positive plasmid simultaneously carried multiple resistance genes, and could be independently transferred to confer partial pathogenicity on its host by plasmid mating. E. coli GZM7 was O53:H9-ST23 of phylogroup C, which belonged to another representative lineage of APEC (avian pathogenic E. coli). Its ColV-positive plasmid could complete conjugation with the help of the other coexisting-resistance conjugative plasmid, although it failed to transfer alone. Our findings highlight the flexibly horizontal transfer of ColV plasmids along with multidrug-resistant genes among blaCTX-M-bearing E. coli poses a threat to poultry health and food safety, which contributes to elucidate the concept of "One Health" and deserves particular concern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junling Cui
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, PR China
| | - Yanbin Dong
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, PR China
| | - Qiuru Chen
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, PR China
| | - Chaojun Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, PR China
| | - Kun He
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, PR China
| | - Gongzheng Hu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, PR China; Key Laboratory of Quality and Safety Control of Poultry Products (Zhengzhou), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Zhengzhou 450046, PR China; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Animal Pathogens and Biosafety, Zhengzhou 450046, PR China
| | - Dandan He
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, PR China; Key Laboratory of Quality and Safety Control of Poultry Products (Zhengzhou), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Zhengzhou 450046, PR China; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Animal Pathogens and Biosafety, Zhengzhou 450046, PR China
| | - Li Yuan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, PR China; Key Laboratory of Quality and Safety Control of Poultry Products (Zhengzhou), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Zhengzhou 450046, PR China; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Animal Pathogens and Biosafety, Zhengzhou 450046, PR China; Zhengzhou Key Laboratory of Research and Evaluation of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, Zhengzhou 450046, PR China.
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Tan X, Zhang M, Liu S, Xiao X, Zhang Y, Jian H. Prophage enhances the ability of deep-sea bacterium Shewanella psychrophila WP2 to utilize D-amino acid. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0326323. [PMID: 38170979 PMCID: PMC10845958 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03263-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Prophages are prevalent in the marine bacterial genomes and reshape the physiology and metabolism of their hosts. However, whether and how prophages influence the microbial degradation of D-amino acids (D-AAs), which is one of the widely distributed recalcitrant dissolved organic matters (RDOMs) in the ocean, remain to be explored. In this study, we addressed this issue in a representative marine bacterium, Shewanella psychrophila WP2 (WP2), and its integrated prophage SP1. Notably, compared to the WP2 wild-type strain, the SP1 deletion mutant of WP2 (WP2ΔSP1) exhibited a significantly lower D-glutamate (D-Glu) consumption rate and longer lag phase when D-Glu was used as the sole nitrogen source. The subsequent transcriptome analysis identified 1,523 differentially expressed genes involved in diverse cellular processes, especially that multiple genes related to inorganic nitrogen metabolism were highly upregulated. In addition, the dynamic profiles of ammonium, nitrate, and nitrite were distinct between the culture media of WP2 and WP2ΔSP1. Finally, we provide evidence that SP1 conferred a competitive advantage to WP2 when D-Glu was used as the sole nitrogen source and SP1-like phages may be widely distributed in the global ocean. Taken together, these findings offer novel insight into the influences of prophages on host metabolism and RDOM cycling in marine environments.IMPORTANCEThis work represents the first exploration of the impact of prophages on the D-amino acid (D-AA) metabolism of deep-sea bacteria. By using S. psychrophila WP2 and its integrated prophage SP1 as a representative system, we found that SP1 can significantly increase the catabolism rate of WP2 to D-glutamate and produce higher concentrations of ammonium, resulting in faster growth and competitive advantages. Our findings not only deepen our understanding of the interaction between deep-sea prophages and hosts but also provide new insights into the ecological role of prophages in refractory dissolved organic matter and the nitrogen cycle in deep oceans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoli Tan
- School of Oceanography, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Mujie Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Development Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Yazhou Bay Institute of Deepsea Sci-Tech, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Sanya, China
| | - Shunzhang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Development Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiang Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Development Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Yazhou Bay Institute of Deepsea Sci-Tech, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Sanya, China
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- School of Oceanography, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Huahua Jian
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Development Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Yazhou Bay Institute of Deepsea Sci-Tech, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Sanya, China
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Zhou K, Zhang T, Chen XW, Xu Y, Zhang R, Qian PY. Viruses in Marine Invertebrate Holobionts: Complex Interactions Between Phages and Bacterial Symbionts. ANNUAL REVIEW OF MARINE SCIENCE 2024; 16:467-485. [PMID: 37647612 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-marine-021623-093133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Marine invertebrates are ecologically and economically important and have formed holobionts by evolving symbiotic relationships with cellular and acellular microorganisms that reside in and on their tissues. In recent decades, significant focus on symbiotic cellular microorganisms has led to the discovery of various functions and a considerable expansion of our knowledge of holobiont functions. Despite this progress, our understanding of symbiotic acellular microorganisms remains insufficient, impeding our ability to achieve a comprehensive understanding of marine holobionts. In this review, we highlight the abundant viruses, with a particular emphasis on bacteriophages; provide an overview of their diversity, especially in extensively studied sponges and corals; and examine their potential life cycles. In addition, we discuss potential phage-holobiont interactions of various invertebrates, including participating in initial bacterial colonization, maintaining symbiotic relationships, and causing or exacerbating the diseases of marine invertebrates. Despite the importance of this subject, knowledge of how viruses contribute to marine invertebrate organisms remains limited. Advancements in technology and greater attention to viruses will enhance our understanding of marine invertebrate holobionts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Zhou
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou, China;
- Department of Ocean Science, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ting Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Institute of Marine Microbes and Ecospheres, Xiamen University (Xiang'an), Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Xiao-Wei Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Institute of Marine Microbes and Ecospheres, Xiamen University (Xiang'an), Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Ying Xu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresource and Eco-Environmental Science, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China;
| | - Rui Zhang
- Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China;
| | - Pei-Yuan Qian
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou, China;
- Department of Ocean Science, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China
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The Role of Temperate Phages in Bacterial Pathogenicity. Microorganisms 2023; 11:microorganisms11030541. [PMID: 36985115 PMCID: PMC10052878 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11030541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2022] [Revised: 02/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacteriophages are viruses that infect bacteria and archaea and are classified as virulent or temperate phages based on their life cycles. A temperate phage, also known as a lysogenic phage, integrates its genomes into host bacterial chromosomes as a prophage. Previous studies have indicated that temperate phages are beneficial to their susceptible bacterial hosts by introducing additional genes to bacterial chromosomes, creating a mutually beneficial relationship. This article reviewed three primary ways temperate phages contribute to the bacterial pathogenicity of foodborne pathogens, including phage-mediated virulence gene transfer, antibiotic resistance gene mobilization, and biofilm formation. This study provides insights into mechanisms of phage–bacterium interactions in the context of foodborne pathogens and provokes new considerations for further research to avoid the potential of phage-mediated harmful gene transfer in agricultural environments.
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Bajaj JS, Rodriguez MP, Fagan A, McGeorge S, Sterling RK, Lee H, Luketic V, Fuchs M, Davis BC, Sikaroodi M, Gillevet PM. Impact of bacterial infections and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis prophylaxis on phage-bacterial dynamics in cirrhosis. Hepatology 2022; 76:1723-1734. [PMID: 35561076 DOI: 10.1002/hep.32571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 04/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/08/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Gut microbiota, including bacteria and phages, are altered in cirrhosis, but their role during infections and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) prophylaxis is unclear. Our aim was determine metagenomic changes in gut bacteria; phages and their linkages centered around Gram-negative and Gram-positive pathobionts in patients with cirrhosis with/without infections or SBP prophylaxis. APPROACH AND RESULTS We included uninfected (n = 231) and infected (n = 30, SBP n = 19 and urinary tract infection n = 11 before antibiotics) patients who gave stool for bacterial and phage metagenomics. We matched uninfected to infected patients 1:1 on a model for end-stage liver disease (MELD). We also analyzed subgroups of patients with ascites matched on an MELD (n = 73) to patients on SBP prophylaxis (n = 7) and then to SBP infection. Phage and bacterial taxa differences (DESeq2) and correlation networks centered around Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecium were analyzed. Infections were mostly due to Enterobacteriaceae and Enterococcus spp. On metagenomics, higher fold changes of Enterobacteriaceae members, Enterococcus and Streptococcus spp., and Escherichia phages were seen in infected patients. Correlation networks showed more complex bacteria-phage linkages in infected patients compared with uninfected ones overall and centered around E. coli and E. faecium. SBP prophylaxis induced higher Gram-positive bacteria. In SBP, Enterococcus and Escherichia were higher versus ascites. Correlation networks around E. coli were complex in ascites but sparse with SBP prophylaxis, whereas the reverse was seen with E. faecium. Lytic phages and those associated with antibiotic resistance were correlated with E. faecium. CONCLUSION In cirrhosis, there are significant changes in phage-bacterial linkages in infected patients and those on SBP prophylaxis compared to the remaining patients. SBP prophylaxis enriches complexity of E. faecium-centered but induces a collapse in E. coli-centered phage-bacterial correlations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmohan S Bajaj
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and NutritionVirginia Commonwealth University and Central Virginia Veterans Healthcare System Medical CenterVirginiaUSA
| | | | - Andrew Fagan
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and NutritionVirginia Commonwealth University and Central Virginia Veterans Healthcare System Medical CenterVirginiaUSA
| | - Sara McGeorge
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and NutritionVirginia Commonwealth University and Central Virginia Veterans Healthcare System Medical CenterVirginiaUSA
| | - Richard K Sterling
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and NutritionVirginia Commonwealth University and Central Virginia Veterans Healthcare System Medical CenterVirginiaUSA
| | - Hannah Lee
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and NutritionVirginia Commonwealth University and Central Virginia Veterans Healthcare System Medical CenterVirginiaUSA
| | - Velimir Luketic
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and NutritionVirginia Commonwealth University and Central Virginia Veterans Healthcare System Medical CenterVirginiaUSA
| | - Michael Fuchs
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and NutritionVirginia Commonwealth University and Central Virginia Veterans Healthcare System Medical CenterVirginiaUSA
| | - Brian C Davis
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and NutritionVirginia Commonwealth University and Central Virginia Veterans Healthcare System Medical CenterVirginiaUSA
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Islam MR, Martinez-Soto CE, Lin JT, Khursigara CM, Barbut S, Anany H. A systematic review from basics to omics on bacteriophage applications in poultry production and processing. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2021:1-33. [PMID: 34609270 DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2021.1984200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The growing human population is currently facing an unprecedented challenge on global food production and sustainability. Despite recognizing poultry as one of the most successful and rapidly growing food industries to address this challenge; poultry health and safety remain major issues that entail immediate attention. Bacterial diseases including colibacillosis, salmonellosis, and necrotic enteritis have become increasingly prevalent during poultry production. Likewise, outbreaks caused by consumption of undercooked poultry products contaminated with zoonotic bacterial pathogens such as Salmonella, Campylobacter and Listeria, are a serious public health concern. With antimicrobial resistance problem and restricted use of antibiotics in food producing animals, bacteriophages are increasingly recognized as an attractive natural antibacterial alternative. Bacteriophages have recently shown promising results to treat diseases in poultry, reduce contamination of carcasses, and enhance the safety of poultry products. Omics technologies have been successfully employed to accurately characterize bacteriophages and their genes/proteins important for interaction with bacterial hosts. In this review, the potential of using lytic bacteriophages to mitigate the risk of major poultry-associated bacterial pathogens are explored. This study also explores challenges associated with the adoption of this technology by industries. Furthermore, the impact of omics approaches on studying bacteriophages, their host interaction and applications is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Rashedul Islam
- Guelph Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Carlos E Martinez-Soto
- Guelph Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Food Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Janet T Lin
- Guelph Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Cezar M Khursigara
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Shai Barbut
- Department of Food Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Hany Anany
- Guelph Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Food Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
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Ruan X, Deng X, Tan M, Yu C, Zhang M, Sun Y, Jiang N. In vitro antibiofilm activity of resveratrol against avian pathogenic Escherichia coli. BMC Vet Res 2021; 17:249. [PMID: 34284781 PMCID: PMC8290534 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-021-02961-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) strains cause infectious diseases in poultry. Resveratrol is extracted from Polygonum cuspidatum, Cassia tora Linn and Vitis vinifera, and displays good antimicrobial activity. The present study aimed to investigate the antibiofilm effect of resveratrol on APEC in vitro. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of resveratrol and the antibiotic florfenicol toward APEC were detected using the broth microdilution method. Then, the effect of resveratrol on swimming and swarming motility was investigated using a semisolid medium culture method. Subsequently, the minimum biofilm inhibitory concentration (MBIC) and the biofilm eradication rate were evaluated using crystal violet staining. Finally, the antibiofilm activity of resveratrol was observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Meanwhile, the effects of florfenicol combined with resveratrol against biofilm formation by APEC were evaluated using optical microscopy (OM) and a confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). RESULTS The MICs of resveratrol and florfenicol toward APEC were 128 μg/mL and 64 μg/mL, respectively. The swimming and swarming motility abilities of APEC were inhibited in a resveratrol dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, resveratrol showed a significant inhibitory activity against APEC biofilm formation at concentrations above 1 μg/mL (p < 0.01). Meanwhile, the inhibitory effect of resveratrol at 32 μg/mL on biofilm formation was observed using SEM. The APEC biofilm was eradicated at 32 μg/mL of resveratrol combined with 64 μg/mL of florfenicol, which was observed using CLSM and OM. Florfenicol had a slight eradication effect of biofilm formation, whereas resveratrol had a strong biofilm eradication effect toward APEC. CONCLUSION Resveratrol displayed good antibiofilm activity against APEC in vitro, including inhibition of swimming and swarming motility, biofilm formation, and could eradicate the biofilm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangchun Ruan
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 West Changjiang Road, Hefei, 230036, Anhui Province, China. .,Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pathobiology and Disease Control, Hefei, 230036, Anhui Province, China.
| | - Xiaoling Deng
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 West Changjiang Road, Hefei, 230036, Anhui Province, China
| | - Meiling Tan
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 West Changjiang Road, Hefei, 230036, Anhui Province, China
| | - Chengbo Yu
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 West Changjiang Road, Hefei, 230036, Anhui Province, China
| | - Meishi Zhang
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 West Changjiang Road, Hefei, 230036, Anhui Province, China
| | - Ying Sun
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 West Changjiang Road, Hefei, 230036, Anhui Province, China
| | - Nuohao Jiang
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 West Changjiang Road, Hefei, 230036, Anhui Province, China
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Avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC): An Overview of Virulence and Pathogenesis Factors, Zoonotic Potential, and Control Strategies. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10040467. [PMID: 33921518 PMCID: PMC8069529 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10040467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Revised: 04/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) causes colibacillosis in avian species, and recent reports have suggested APEC as a potential foodborne zoonotic pathogen. Herein, we discuss the virulence and pathogenesis factors of APEC, review the zoonotic potential, provide the current status of antibiotic resistance and progress in vaccine development, and summarize the alternative control measures being investigated. In addition to the known virulence factors, several other factors including quorum sensing system, secretion systems, two-component systems, transcriptional regulators, and genes associated with metabolism also contribute to APEC pathogenesis. The clear understanding of these factors will help in developing new effective treatments. The APEC isolates (particularly belonging to ST95 and ST131 or O1, O2, and O18) have genetic similarities and commonalities in virulence genes with human uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) and neonatal meningitis E. coli (NMEC) and abilities to cause urinary tract infections and meningitis in humans. Therefore, the zoonotic potential of APEC cannot be undervalued. APEC resistance to almost all classes of antibiotics, including carbapenems, has been already reported. There is a need for an effective APEC vaccine that can provide protection against diverse APEC serotypes. Alternative therapies, especially the virulence inhibitors, can provide a novel solution with less likelihood of developing resistance.
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