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Ogundare ST, Fasina FO, Makumbi JP, van der Zel GA, Geertsma PF, Kock MM, Smith AM, Ehlers MM. Epidemiology and antimicrobial resistance profiles of pathogenic Escherichia coli from commercial swine and poultry abattoirs and farms in South Africa: A One Health approach. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 951:175705. [PMID: 39181266 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.175705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2024] [Revised: 08/19/2024] [Accepted: 08/20/2024] [Indexed: 08/27/2024]
Abstract
Pathogenic Escherichia coli (PEC) are important foodborne bacteria that can cause severe illness in humans. The PECs thrive within the intestines of humans as well as animals and may contaminate multiple ecosystems, including food and water, via faecal transmission. Abattoir and farm employees are at high risk of PEC exposure, which could translate to community risk through person-to-person contact. To determine the epidemiology and resistome of PECs in Gauteng and Limpopo provinces of South Africa, 198 swine faecal samples, 220 poultry cloacal swabs, 108 human hand swabs, 11 run-off water samples from abattoirs and farms were collected from four swine and five poultry commercial abattoirs and two swine farms. One effluent sample each was collected from four wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) and a tertiary hospital setting. Phenotypic and genotypic techniques were used including polymerase chain reaction, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and whole genome sequencing (WGS). Results showed EHEC and EPEC prevalence was 4.1 % (22/542) and 20.8 % (113/542), respectively, with the O26 serogroup detected the most in PEC isolates. According to the PFGE dendrogram, isolates from poultry, human hand swabs and run-off water clustered together. Diverse virulence factors such as the novel stx2k subtype and eae genes were detected among the 36 representative PEC isolates according to WGS. The results showed that 66.7 % (24/36) of sequenced PECs presented with multi-drug resistance (MDR) to β-lactamase 13.9 % (5/36), aminoglycoside 61.1 % (22/36), tetracycline 41.7 % (15/36) and quinolones 38.9 % (14/36). No colistin nor carbapenem resistance was detected. Sequence types (STs) associated with MDR in this study were: ST752, ST189, ST206, ST10, ST48 and ST38. The findings highlight the threat of zoonotic pathogens to close human contacts and the need for enhanced surveillance to mitigate the spread of MDR foodborne PECs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel T Ogundare
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.
| | - Folorunso O Fasina
- Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa; Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, FAO Headquarters, Rome, Italy
| | - John-Paul Makumbi
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Gerbrand A van der Zel
- Gauteng Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Peter F Geertsma
- Gauteng Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Marleen M Kock
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa; Department of Medical Microbiology, National Health Laboratory Service, Tshwane Academic Division, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Anthony M Smith
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa; Centre for Enteric Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Division of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Marthie M Ehlers
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa; Department of Medical Microbiology, National Health Laboratory Service, Tshwane Academic Division, Pretoria, South Africa
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Ahmadi Badi S, Malek A, Seyedi SA, Bereimipour A, Irian S, Shojaie S, Sohouli MH, Rohani P, Masotti A, Khatami S, Siadat SD. Direct and macrophage stimulation mediated effects of active, inactive, and cell-free supernatant forms of Akkermansia muciniphila and Faecalibacterium duncaniae on hepcidin gene expression in HepG2 cells. Arch Microbiol 2024; 206:287. [PMID: 38833010 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-024-04007-2] [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: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024]
Abstract
Hepcidin is a crucial regulator of iron homeostasis with protective effects on liver fibrosis. Additionally, gut microbiota can also affect liver fibrosis and iron metabolism. Although the hepatoprotective potential of Akkermansia muciniphila and Faecalibacterium duncaniae, formerly known as F. prausnitzii, has been reported, however, their effects on hepcidin expression remain unknown. We investigated the direct and macrophage stimulation-mediated effects of active, heat-inactivated, and cell-free supernatant (CFS) forms of A. muciniphila and F. duncaniae on hepcidin expression in HepG2 cells by RT-qPCR analysis. Following stimulation of phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) -differentiated THP-1 cells with A. muciniphila and F. duncaniae, IL-6 concentration was assessed via ELISA. Additionally, the resulting supernatant was treated with HepG2 cells to evaluate the effect of macrophage stimulation on hepcidin gene expression. The expression of genes mediating iron absorption and export was also examined in HepG2 and Caco-2 cells via RT-qPCR. All forms of F. duncaniae increased hepcidin expression while active and heat-inactivated/CFS forms of A. muciniphila upregulated and downregulated its expression, respectively. Active, heat-inactivated, and CFS forms of A. muciniphila and F. duncaniae upregulated hepcidin expression, consistent with the elevation of IL-6 released from THP-1-stimulated cells as a macrophage stimulation effect in HepG2 cells. A. muciniphila and F. duncaniae in active, inactive, and CFS forms altered the expression of hepatocyte and intestinal iron-mediated absorption /exporter genes, namely dcytb and dmt1, and fpn in HepG2 and Caco-2 cells, respectively. In conclusion, A. muciniphila and F. duncaniae affect not only directly but also through macrophage stimulation the expression of hepcidin gene in HepG2 cells. These findings underscore the potential of A. muciniphila and F. duncaniae as a potential therapeutic target for liver fibrosis by modulating hepcidin and intestinal and hepatocyte iron metabolism mediated gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Ahmadi Badi
- Department of Biochemistry, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
- Pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology Research Center, Pediatrics Center of Excellence, Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amin Malek
- Department of Biochemistry, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Ahmad Bereimipour
- Department of Biological Sciences and BioDiscovery Institute, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, 76203, USA
| | - Saeed Irian
- Department of Cell and Molecular Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shima Shojaie
- Pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology Research Center, Pediatrics Center of Excellence, Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Hassan Sohouli
- Pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology Research Center, Pediatrics Center of Excellence, Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
| | - Pejman Rohani
- Pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology Research Center, Pediatrics Center of Excellence, Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
| | - Andrea Masotti
- Research Laboratories, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Shohreh Khatami
- Department of Biochemistry, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Seyed Davar Siadat
- Microbiology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.
- Department of Mycobacteriology and Pulmonary Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.
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Naderi Z, Ghanbarpour R, Jajarmi M, Dehdashti S, Bagheri M, Eskandarzade N, Mohseni P, Alizade H. Antibiotic resistance profiling and phylotyping of human-diarrheagenic Escherichia coli pathotypes detected from diarrheic and non-diarrheic calves in Iran. Mol Biol Rep 2024; 51:494. [PMID: 38581525 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-024-09494-6] [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: 02/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Escherichia coli (E. coli) serves as a common indicator of gut microbiota and is utilized for monitoring antimicrobial resistance determinants in food-producing animals. This study aimed to investigate antimicrobial resistance patterns in virulence gene-positive E. coli isolates obtained from 340 healthy and diarrheic calves. METHODS AND RESULTS A total of 340 fecal swab samples were obtained from diarrheic (n = 170) and healthy (n = 170) calves for 12 months from different farms in Kerman, Iran. The samples were phenotypically analyzed to detect E. coli isolates and antibiotic resistance. Also, antimicrobial resistance genes, diarrheagenic E. coli pathotypes, and phylogenetic background were screened by PCR. Fifteen percent (51/340) of E. coli isolates were positive for at least one of the examined virulence genes (VGs); the prevalence of VGs in E. coli isolates from healthy calves (36/170; 21.17%) was higher than that in diarrheic cases (15/170; 8.82%). Out of the 51 VG-positive isolates, six pathotypes including Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC; 27.45%), enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC; 23.52%), enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC; 19.6%), necrotoxigenic E. coli (NTEC; 19.6%), enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC; 15.68%), enteroinvasive E. coli (EIEC; 1.96%) and three hybrid pathotypes including ETEC/STEC, ETEC/EHEC, and STEC/EIEC were detected among the strains. Antimicrobial resistance (AR) was observed in 98.03% of the VG-positive isolates, which was the same for both healthy and diarrheic calves. The maximum prevalence rate of AR was found against trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (49.01%; 3/51), while the minimum prevalence rate was against gentamycin (5.88%; 25/51). Among the VG-positives, phylotype A was found to be the most prevalent followed by B1 and D phylotypes. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of VG-positive E. coli isolates was higher in healthy calves compared to diarrheic cases. AR was widespread among VG-positive isolates. These findings suggest that calves may serve as potential reservoirs of antimicrobial-resistant hybrid pathotypes of E. coli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahede Naderi
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran
| | - Reza Ghanbarpour
- Molecular Microbiology Research Group, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran.
| | - Maziar Jajarmi
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran
| | - Sanaz Dehdashti
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran
| | - Mahboube Bagheri
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Bardsir Faculty of Agriculture, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran
| | - Neda Eskandarzade
- Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran
| | - Parvin Mohseni
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran
| | - Hesam Alizade
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Hormozgan Health Institute, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran
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Garcia CR, Norfolk WA, Howard AK, Glatter AL, Beaudry MS, Mallis NA, Welton M, Glenn TC, Lipp EK, Ottesen EA. Long-term gut colonization with ESBL-producing Escherichia coli in participants without known risk factors from the southeastern United States. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2024:2024.02.03.24302254. [PMID: 38370669 PMCID: PMC10871458 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.03.24302254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
We evaluated gut carriage of extended spectrum beta lactamase producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-E) in southeastern U.S. residents without recent in-patient healthcare exposure. Study enrollment was January 2021-February 2022 in Athens, Georgia, U.S. and included a diverse population of 505 adults plus 50 child participants (age 0-5). Based on culture-based screening of stool samples, 4.5% of 555 participants carried ESBL-Es. This is slightly higher than reported in studies conducted 2012-2015, which found carriage rates of 2.5-3.9% in healthy U.S. residents. All ESBL-E confirmed isolates (n=25) were identified as Escherichia coli. Isolates belonged to 11 sequence types, with 48% classified as ST131. Ninety six percent of ESBL-E isolates carried a blaCTX-M gene. Isolated ESBL-Es frequently carried virulence genes as well as multiple classes of antibiotic resistance genes. Long-term colonization was common, with 64% of ESBL-E positive participants testing positive when rescreened three months later. One participant yielded isolates belonging to two different E. coli sequence types that carried blaCTX-M-1 genes on near-identical plasmids, suggesting intra-gut plasmid transfer. Isolation of E. coli on media without antibiotics revealed that ESBL-E. coli typically made up a minor fraction of the overall gut E. coli population, although in some cases they were the dominant strain. ESBL-E carriage was not associated with a significantly different stool microbiome composition. However, some microbial taxa were differentially abundant in ESBL-E carriers. Together, these results suggest that a small subpopulation of US residents are long-term, asymptomatic carriers of ESBL-Es, and may serve as an important reservoir for community spread of these ESBL genes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - William A. Norfolk
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Amanda K. Howard
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
- Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Amanda L. Glatter
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Megan S. Beaudry
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
- Daicel Arbor Biosciences, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Nicholas A. Mallis
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Michael Welton
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Travis C. Glenn
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Erin K. Lipp
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
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Oliveira A, Dias C, Oliveira R, Almeida C, Fuciños P, Sillankorva S, Oliveira H. Paving the way forward: Escherichia coli bacteriophages in a One Health approach. Crit Rev Microbiol 2024; 50:87-104. [PMID: 36608263 DOI: 10.1080/1040841x.2022.2161869] [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: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Escherichia coli is one of the most notorious pathogens for its ability to adapt, colonize, and proliferate in different habitats through a multitude of acquired virulence factors. Its presence affects the food-processing industry and causes food poisoning, being also a major economic burden for the food, agriculture, and health sectors. Bacteriophages are emerging as an appealing strategy to mitigate bacterial pathogens, including specific E. coli pathovars, without exerting a deleterious effect on humans and animals. This review globally analyzes the applied research on E. coli phages for veterinary, food, and human use. It starts by describing the pathogenic E. coli pathotypes and their relevance in human and animal context. The idea that phages can be used as a One Health approach to control and interrupt the transmission routes of pathogenic E. coli is sustained through an exhaustive revision of the recent literature. The emerging phage formulations, genetic engineering and encapsulation technologies are also discussed as a means of improving phage-based control strategies, with a particular focus on E. coli pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Oliveira
- CEB - Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- LABBELS - Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Carla Dias
- CEB - Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- LABBELS - Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Ricardo Oliveira
- INIAV, IP-National Institute for Agrarian and Veterinary Research, Vairão, Vila do Conde, Portugal
- LEPABE - Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, Porto, Portugal
- ALiCE - Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, Porto, Portugal
| | - Carina Almeida
- INIAV, IP-National Institute for Agrarian and Veterinary Research, Vairão, Vila do Conde, Portugal
- LEPABE - Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, Porto, Portugal
- ALiCE - Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, Porto, Portugal
| | - Pablo Fuciños
- ALiCE - Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, Porto, Portugal
| | - Sanna Sillankorva
- INL - International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, Avenida Mestre José Veiga, Braga, Portugal
| | - Hugo Oliveira
- CEB - Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- LABBELS - Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães, Portugal
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Gabor CE, Hazen TH, Delaine-Elias BC, Rasko DA, Barry EM. Genomic, transcriptomic, and phenotypic differences among archetype Shigella flexneri strains of serotypes 2a, 3a, and 6. mSphere 2023; 8:e0040823. [PMID: 37830809 PMCID: PMC10732043 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00408-23] [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: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Given the genomic diversity between S. flexneri serotypes and the paucity of data to support serotype-specific phenotypic differences, we applied in silico and in vitro functional analyses of archetype strains of 2457T (Sf2a), J17B (Sf3a), and CH060 (Sf6). These archetype strains represent the three leading S. flexneri serotypes recommended for inclusion in multivalent vaccines. Characterizing the genomic and phenotypic variation among these clinically prevalent serotypes is an important step toward understanding serotype-specific host-pathogen interactions to optimize the efficacy of multivalent vaccines and therapeutics. This study underpins the importance for further large-scale serotype-targeted analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin E. Gabor
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Tracy H. Hazen
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - BreOnna C. Delaine-Elias
- Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - David A. Rasko
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Center for Pathogen Research, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Eileen M. Barry
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Ogunbiyi TS, Fayemi OE, Akanni GB, Ayolabi CI, Hald T. Molecular Characterization of Hetero-Pathogenic and Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli Pathotypes in Diarrheic Children under Five Years and Exposure Environment in Ogun State, South-West Nigeria. Pathogens 2023; 12:1358. [PMID: 38003822 PMCID: PMC10675616 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12111358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli (DEC) is one of the most common etiological agents of moderate-to-severe diarrhea in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs). Therefore, determining the source(s) of DEC in index cases and exposure environment is important for developing a prevention strategy. The current study aims to investigate the prevalence of DEC among children under 5 years and their exposure environment in Ogun State, Nigeria. METHODS Samples from 228 diarrheic children and their exposure environment were collected and screened for E. coli. Bio-chemically compatible distinct colonies were molecularly characterized using a 7-virulence-gene multiplex PCR with virulence factors (VFs) indicative of four pathotypes of E. coli: enterotoxigenic (ETEC), verotoxigenic (VTEC), enteropathogenic (EPEC), and enteroinvasive (EIEC). Representative pathotypes were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility and over-expressed efflux pump assays. RESULTS One or more VFs typical of specific pathotypes were detected in 25.9% (59/228) diarrhea cases consisting of ETEC (21.5%) and EPEC (0.4%), while hetero-pathogenic pathotypes were found in 4.0% of cases. Of the food sources, 27.9% (101/362) were positive for DEC, of which ETEC accounted for 21.0%, VTEC 1.9%, EPEC 0.6%, EIEC 0.6%, and hetero-pathogenic pathotypes were 3.9%. Furthermore, ETEC was the only pathotype detected in the wastewater (4/183). Interestingly, the consumption of street-vended foods was the most significant (p = 0.04) risk factor for DEC infection in the study area. A total of 73.3% of selected DEC pathotypes showed resistance to antimicrobials, while 27.5% demonstrated over-expression of efflux pump activity. CONCLUSION The high prevalence of ETEC across all sources and the occurrence of hetero-pathogenic DEC in diarrheic children and food sources emphasizes the importance of establishing a better strategy for the control and prevention of diarrhea among children in low- and medium-income households.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tosin Segun Ogunbiyi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Mountain Top University, Ibafo, 110106 Ogun State, Nigeria; (G.B.A.); (C.I.A.)
| | - Olanrewaju Emmanuel Fayemi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Mountain Top University, Ibafo, 110106 Ogun State, Nigeria; (G.B.A.); (C.I.A.)
| | - Gabriel Bidemi Akanni
- Department of Biological Sciences, Mountain Top University, Ibafo, 110106 Ogun State, Nigeria; (G.B.A.); (C.I.A.)
| | - Christianah Idowu Ayolabi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Mountain Top University, Ibafo, 110106 Ogun State, Nigeria; (G.B.A.); (C.I.A.)
- Department of Microbiology, University of Lagos, Akoka, 101017 Lagos State, Nigeria
| | - Tine Hald
- National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark;
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Sui X, Yang X, Luo M, Wang H, Liu Q, Sun H, Jin Y, Wu Y, Bai X, Xiong Y. Characteristics of Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli Circulating in Asymptomatic Food Handlers. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:640. [PMID: 37999503 PMCID: PMC10675304 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15110640] [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: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 10/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) is a foodborne zoonotic pathogen that causes diarrhea, hemorrhagic colitis (HC), and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) worldwide. Since the infection can be asymptomatic, the circulation of STEC in some asymptomatic carriers, especially in healthy-food-related professionals, is not yet well understood. In this study, a total of 3987 anal swab samples from asymptomatic food handlers were collected, and ten swabs recovered STEC strains (0.251%). Of the ten STEC isolates, seven serotypes and eight sequence types (ST) were determined using whole genome sequencing (WGS). Two stx1 subtypes (stx1a and stx1c) and four stx2 subtypes (stx2a, stx2b, stx2d, and stx2e) were detected. Seven different insertion sites were found in fourteen Stx prophages, and the dmsB and yfhL were the newly identified insertion sites. The ten strains showed the variable Stx transcription levels after the mitomycin C induction. The whole-genome phylogeny indicated that the strains from the asymptomatic food handlers were genetically distant from the strains of HUS patients. The STEC isolates circulating in asymptomatic carriers might pose a low potential to cause disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinxia Sui
- National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Xi Yang
- National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Ming Luo
- Yulin Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Yulin 537000, China
| | - Hua Wang
- National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Qian Liu
- National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Hui Sun
- National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Yujuan Jin
- Longgang Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen 518172, China
| | - Yannong Wu
- Yulin Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Yulin 537000, China
| | - Xiangning Bai
- National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China
- Division of Laboratory Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, 0372 Oslo, Norway
| | - Yanwen Xiong
- National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China
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Rakhalaru P, Munzhedzi L, Abia ALK, Kabue JP, Potgieter N, Traore AN. Prevalence and Antimicrobial Resistance Profile of Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli from Fomites in Rural Households in South Africa. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:1345. [PMID: 37627765 PMCID: PMC10451885 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12081345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli (DEC) pathotypes are the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. Daily interaction between people contributes to the spreading of Escherichia coli (E. coli), and fomites are a common source of community-acquired bacterial infections. The spread of bacterial infectious diseases from inanimate objects to the surrounding environment and humans is a serious problem for public health, safety, and development. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and antibiotic resistance of diarrheagenic E. coli found in toilets and kitchen cloths in the Vhembe district, South Africa. One hundred and five samples were cultured to isolate E. coli: thirty-five samples were kitchen cloths and seventy-five samples were toilet swabs. Biochemical tests, API20E, and the VITEK®-2 automated system were used to identify E. coli. Pathotypes of E. coli were characterised using Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction (mPCR). Nine amplified gene fragments were sequenced using partial sequencing. A total of eight antibiotics were used for the antibiotic susceptibility testing of E. coli isolates using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Among the collected samples, 47% were positive for E. coli. DEC prevalence was high (81%), with ETEC (51%) harboring lt and st genes being the most dominant pathotype found on both kitchen cloths and toilet surfaces. Diarrheagenic E. coli pathotypes were more prevalent in the kitchen cloths (79.6%) compared with the toilet surfaces. Notably, hybrid pathotypes were detected in 44.2% of the isolates, showcasing the co-existence of multiple pathotypes within a single E. coli strain. The antibiotic resistance testing of E. coli isolates from kitchen cloths and toilets showed high resistance to ampicillin (100%) and amoxicillin (100%). Only E. coli isolates with hybrid pathotypes were found to be resistant to more than three antibiotics. This study emphasizes the significance of fomites as potential sources of bacterial contamination in rural settings. The results highlight the importance of implementing proactive measures to improve hygiene practices and antibiotic stewardship in these communities. These measures are essential for reducing the impact of DEC infections and antibiotic resistance, ultimately safeguarding public health.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Afsatou Ndama Traore
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture, University of Venda, Private Bag X5050, Thohoyandou 0950, South Africa; (P.R.); (L.M.); (A.L.K.A.); (J.P.K.); (N.P.)
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10
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Lee W, Sung S, Ha J, Kim E, An ES, Kim SH, Kim SH, Kim HY. Molecular and Genomic Analysis of the Virulence Factors and Potential Transmission of Hybrid Enteropathogenic and Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (EPEC/ETEC) Strains Isolated in South Korea. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12729. [PMID: 37628911 PMCID: PMC10454139 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241612729] [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: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 08/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Hybrid strains Escherichia coli acquires genetic characteristics from multiple pathotypes and is speculated to be more virulent; however, understanding their pathogenicity is elusive. Here, we performed genome-based characterization of the hybrid of enteropathogenic (EPEC) and enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC), the strains that cause diarrhea and mortality in children. The virulence genes in the strains isolated from different sources in the South Korea were identified, and their phylogenetic positions were analyzed. The EPEC/ETEC hybrid strains harbored eae and est encoding E. coli attaching and effacing lesions and heat-stable enterotoxins of EPEC and ETEC, respectively. Genome-wide phylogeny revealed that all hybrids (n = 6) were closely related to EPEC strains, implying the potential acquisition of ETEC virulence genes during ETEC/EPEC hybrid emergence. The hybrids represented diverse serotypes (O153:H19 (n = 3), O49:H10 (n = 2), and O71:H19 (n = 1)) and sequence types (ST546, n = 4; ST785, n = 2). Furthermore, heat-stable toxin-encoding plasmids possessing estA and various other virulence genes and transporters, including nleH2, hlyA, hlyB, hlyC, hlyD, espC, espP, phage endopeptidase Rz, and phage holin, were identified. These findings provide insights into understanding the pathogenicity of EPEC/ETEC hybrid strains and may aid in comparative studies, virulence characterization, and understanding evolutionary biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Woojung Lee
- Division of Food Microbiology, National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation, Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Cheongju 28159, Republic of Korea; (W.L.); (S.S.); (J.H.); (E.S.A.); (S.H.K.)
- Institute of Life Sciences & Resources, Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, Kyung Hee University, Yongin 17104, Republic of Korea;
| | - Soohyun Sung
- Division of Food Microbiology, National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation, Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Cheongju 28159, Republic of Korea; (W.L.); (S.S.); (J.H.); (E.S.A.); (S.H.K.)
| | - Jina Ha
- Division of Food Microbiology, National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation, Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Cheongju 28159, Republic of Korea; (W.L.); (S.S.); (J.H.); (E.S.A.); (S.H.K.)
| | - Eiseul Kim
- Institute of Life Sciences & Resources, Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, Kyung Hee University, Yongin 17104, Republic of Korea;
| | - Eun Sook An
- Division of Food Microbiology, National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation, Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Cheongju 28159, Republic of Korea; (W.L.); (S.S.); (J.H.); (E.S.A.); (S.H.K.)
| | - Seung Hwan Kim
- Division of Food Microbiology, National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation, Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Cheongju 28159, Republic of Korea; (W.L.); (S.S.); (J.H.); (E.S.A.); (S.H.K.)
| | - Soon Han Kim
- Division of Food Microbiology, National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation, Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Cheongju 28159, Republic of Korea; (W.L.); (S.S.); (J.H.); (E.S.A.); (S.H.K.)
| | - Hae-Yeong Kim
- Institute of Life Sciences & Resources, Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, Kyung Hee University, Yongin 17104, Republic of Korea;
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11
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Genomic diversity of non-diarrheagenic fecal Escherichia coli from children in sub-Saharan Africa and south Asia and their relatedness to diarrheagenic E. coli. Nat Commun 2023; 14:1400. [PMID: 36918537 PMCID: PMC10011798 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-36337-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Escherichia coli is a frequent member of the healthy human gastrointestinal microbiota, as well as an important human pathogen. Previous studies have focused on the genomic diversity of the pathogenic E. coli and much remains unknown about the non-diarrheagenic E. coli residing in the human gut, particularly among young children in low and middle income countries. Also, gaining additional insight into non-diarrheagenic E. coli is important for understanding gut health as non-diarrheagenic E. coli can prevent infection by diarrheagenic bacteria. In this study we examine the genomic diversity of non-diarrheagenic fecal E. coli from male and female children with or without diarrhea from countries in sub-Saharan Africa and south Asia as part of the Global Enteric Multicenter Study (GEMS). We find that these E. coli exhibit considerable genetic diversity as they were identified in all E. coli phylogroups and an Escherichia cryptic clade. Although these fecal E. coli lack the characteristic virulence factors of diarrheagenic E. coli pathotypes, many exhibit remarkable genomic similarity to previously described diarrheagenic isolates with differences attributed to mobile elements. This raises an important question of whether these non-diarrheagenic fecal E. coli may have at one time possessed the mobile element-encoded virulence factors of diarrheagenic pathotypes or may have the potential to acquire these virulence factors.
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12
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Gomes R, Denison Kroschel A, Day S, Jansen R. High variation across E. coli hybrid isolates identified in metabolism-related biological pathways co-expressed with virulent genes. Gut Microbes 2023; 15:2228042. [PMID: 37417543 PMCID: PMC10332235 DOI: 10.1080/19490976.2023.2228042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Virulent genes present in Escherichia coli (E. coli) can cause significant human diseases. These enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) and enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) isolates with virulent genes show different expression levels when grown under diverse laboratory conditions. In this research, we have performed differential gene expression analysis using publicly available RNA-seq data on three pathogenic E. coli hybrid isolates in an attempt to characterize the variation in gene interactions that are altered by the presence or absence of virulent factors within the genome. Almost 26.7% of the common genes across these strains were found to be differentially expressed. Out of the 88 differentially expressed genes with virulent factors identified from PATRIC, nine were common in all these strains. A combination of Weighted Gene Co-Expression Network Analysis and Gene Ontology Enrichment Analysis reveals significant differences in gene co-expression involving virulent genes common among the three investigated strains. The co-expression pattern is observed to be especially variable among biological pathways involving metabolism-related genes. This suggests a potential difference in resource allocation or energy generation across the three isolates based on genomic variation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahul Gomes
- Department of Computer Science, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Eau Claire, WI, USA
| | | | - Stephanie Day
- Department of Earth, Environment, and Geospatial Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA
| | - Rick Jansen
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN, USA
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13
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Adsit FG, Randall TA, Locklear J, Kurtz DM. The emergence of the tetrathionate reductase operon in the Escherichia coli/Shigella pan-genome. Microbiologyopen 2022; 11:e1333. [PMID: 36479628 PMCID: PMC9638481 DOI: 10.1002/mbo3.1333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Escherichia coli pathogenic variants (pathovars) are generally characterized by defined virulence traits and are susceptible to the evolution of hybridized identities due to the considerable plasticity of the E. coli genome. We have isolated a strain from a purified diet intended for research animals that further demonstrates the ability of E. coli to acquire novel genetic elements leading potentially to emergent new pathovars. Utilizing next generation sequencing to obtain a whole genome profile, we report an atypical strain of E. coli, EcoFA807-17, possessing a tetrathionate reductase (ttr) operon, which enables the utilization of tetrathionate as an electron acceptor, thus facilitating respiration in anaerobic environments such as the mammalian gut. The ttr operon is a potent virulence factor for several enteric pathogens, most prominently Salmonella enterica. However, the presence of chromosomally integrated tetrathionate reductase genes does not appear to have been previously reported in wild-type E. coli or Shigella. Accordingly, it is possible that the appearance of this virulence factor may signal the evolution of new mechanisms of pathogenicity in E. coli and Shigella and may potentially alter the effectiveness of existing assays using tetrathionate reductase as a unique marker for the detection of Salmonella enterica.
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Affiliation(s)
- Floyd G. Adsit
- Quality Assurance Laboratory (QAL), Comparative Medicine Branch (CMB)National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)DurhamNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Thomas A. Randall
- Integrative BioinformaticsNational Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)DurhamNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Jacqueline Locklear
- Quality Assurance Laboratory (QAL), Comparative Medicine Branch (CMB)National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)DurhamNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - David M. Kurtz
- Quality Assurance Laboratory (QAL), Comparative Medicine Branch (CMB)National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)DurhamNorth CarolinaUSA
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14
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Singh A, Ambaru B, Bandsode V, Ahmed N. Panomics to decode virulence and fitness in Gram-negative bacteria. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:1061596. [PMID: 36478674 PMCID: PMC9719987 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.1061596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
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15
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Geurtsen J, de Been M, Weerdenburg E, Zomer A, McNally A, Poolman J. Genomics and pathotypes of the many faces of Escherichia coli. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2022; 46:fuac031. [PMID: 35749579 PMCID: PMC9629502 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuac031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Escherichia coli is the most researched microbial organism in the world. Its varied impact on human health, consisting of commensalism, gastrointestinal disease, or extraintestinal pathologies, has generated a separation of the species into at least eleven pathotypes (also known as pathovars). These are broadly split into two groups, intestinal pathogenic E. coli (InPEC) and extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC). However, components of E. coli's infinite open accessory genome are horizontally transferred with substantial frequency, creating pathogenic hybrid strains that defy a clear pathotype designation. Here, we take a birds-eye view of the E. coli species, characterizing it from historical, clinical, and genetic perspectives. We examine the wide spectrum of human disease caused by E. coli, the genome content of the bacterium, and its propensity to acquire, exchange, and maintain antibiotic resistance genes and virulence traits. Our portrayal of the species also discusses elements that have shaped its overall population structure and summarizes the current state of vaccine development targeted at the most frequent E. coli pathovars. In our conclusions, we advocate streamlining efforts for clinical reporting of ExPEC, and emphasize the pathogenic potential that exists throughout the entire species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeroen Geurtsen
- Janssen Vaccines and Prevention B.V., 2333 Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Mark de Been
- Janssen Vaccines and Prevention B.V., 2333 Leiden, the Netherlands
| | | | - Aldert Zomer
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, 3584 Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Alan McNally
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, B15 2TT Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Jan Poolman
- Janssen Vaccines and Prevention B.V., 2333 Leiden, the Netherlands
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16
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Asadi Z, Ghanbarpour R, Kalantar-Neyestanaki D, Alizade H. Determination of extended-spectrum β-lactamase producing and hybrid pathotypes of Escherichia coli isolates from diarrheic samples. GENE REPORTS 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.genrep.2022.101583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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17
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Shen J, Zhi S, Guo D, Jiang Y, Xu X, Zhao L, Lv J. Prevalence, Antimicrobial Resistance, and Whole Genome Sequencing Analysis of Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli (STEC) and Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) from Imported Foods in China during 2015-2021. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:68. [PMID: 35202096 PMCID: PMC8875648 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14020068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) and enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) are foodborne pathogens that cause hemolytic uremic syndrome and fatal infant diarrhea, respectively, but the characterization of these bacteria from imported food in China are unknown. A total of 1577 food samples from various countries during 2015-2021 were screened for STEC and EPEC, and the obtained isolates were tested for antimicrobial resistance and whole genome sequencing analysis was performed. The prevalence of STEC and EPEC was 1.01% (16/1577) and 0.51% (8/1577), respectively. Antimicrobial resistances to tetracycline (8%), chloramphenicol (8%), ampicillin (4%), ceftazidime (4%), cefotaxime (4%), and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (4%) were observed. The antimicrobial resistance phenotypes corresponded with genotypes for most strains, and some resistance genes were related to mobile genetic elements. All 16 STEC isolates were eae negative, two solely contained stx1 (stx1a or stx1c), 12 merely carried stx2 (stx2a, stx2d, or stx2e), and two had both stx1 and stx2 (stx1c + stx2b, stx1a + stx2a + stx2c). Although they were eae negative, several STEC isolates carried other adherence factors, such as iha (5/16), sab (1/16), and lpfA (8/16), and belonged to serotypes (O130:H11, O8:H19, and O100:H30) or STs (ST297, ST360), which have caused human infections. All the eight EPEC isolates were atypical EPEC; six serotypes and seven STs were found, and clinically relevant EPEC serotypes O26:H11, O103:H2, and O145:H28 were identified. Two STEC/ETEC (enterotoxigenic E. coli) hybrids and one EPEC/ETEC hybrid were observed, since they harbored sta1 and/or stb. The results revealed that food can act as a reservoir of STEC/EPEC with pathogenic potential, and had the potential ability to transfer antibiotic resistance and virulence genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinling Shen
- Technology Center for Animal Plant and Food Inspection and Quarantine of Shanghai Customs, Shanghai 200135, China; (J.S.); (D.G.); (L.Z.)
| | - Shuai Zhi
- School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China;
| | - Dehua Guo
- Technology Center for Animal Plant and Food Inspection and Quarantine of Shanghai Customs, Shanghai 200135, China; (J.S.); (D.G.); (L.Z.)
| | - Yuan Jiang
- Technology Center for Animal Plant and Food Inspection and Quarantine of Shanghai Customs, Shanghai 200135, China; (J.S.); (D.G.); (L.Z.)
| | - Xuebin Xu
- Shanghai Centers for Disease Prevention and Control, Shanghai 200336, China
| | - Lina Zhao
- Technology Center for Animal Plant and Food Inspection and Quarantine of Shanghai Customs, Shanghai 200135, China; (J.S.); (D.G.); (L.Z.)
| | - Jingzhang Lv
- Food Inspection and Quarantine Technology Center of Shenzhen Customs District, Shenzhen 518045, China;
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18
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Bolukaoto JY, Singh A, Alfinete N, Barnard TG. Occurrence of Hybrid Diarrhoeagenic Escherichia coli Associated with Multidrug Resistance in Environmental Water, Johannesburg, South Africa. Microorganisms 2021; 9:2163. [PMID: 34683484 PMCID: PMC8538365 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9102163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Revised: 09/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
This study was undertaken to determine the virulence and antibiotic resistance profiles of diarrhoeagenic Escherichia coli (DEC) in environmental waters of Johannesburg, South Africa. Samples were collected and cultured on selective media. An 11-plex PCR assay was used to differentiate five DEC, namely: enteroaggregative (EAEC), enterohaemorrhagic (EHEC), enteroinvasive (EIEC), enteropathogenic (EPEC) and enterotoxigenic (ETEC). The antibiotic resistance profile of isolates was determined using the VITEK®-2 automated system. The virulence profiles of 170 E. coli tested showed that 40% (68/170) were commensals and 60% (102/170) were pathogenic. EPEC had a prevalence of 19.2% (32/170), followed by ETEC 11.4% (19/170), EAEC 6% (10/170) and EHEC 3% (5/170). Hybrid DEC carrying a combination of simultaneously two and three pathogenic types was detected in twenty-eight and nine isolates, respectively. The antibiotic susceptibility testing showed isolates with multidrug resistance, including cefuroxime (100%), ceftazidime (86%), cefotaxime (81%) and cefepime (79%). This study highlighted the widespread occurrence of DEC and antibiotic resistance strains in the aquatic ecosystem of Johannesburg. The presence of hybrid pathotypes detected in this study is alarming and might lead to more severe diseases. There is a necessity to enhance surveillance in reducing the propagation of pathogenic and antibiotic-resistant strains in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Tobias G. Barnard
- Water and Health Research Centre, University of Johannesburg, Doornfontein 2092, South Africa; (J.Y.B.); (A.S.); (N.A.)
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19
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Liu H, Meng L, Dong L, Zhang Y, Wang J, Zheng N. Prevalence, Antimicrobial Susceptibility, and Molecular Characterization of Escherichia coli Isolated From Raw Milk in Dairy Herds in Northern China. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:730656. [PMID: 34630355 PMCID: PMC8500479 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.730656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Escherichia coli is a common bacterium in the intestines of animals, and it is also the major important cause of toxic mastitis, which is an acute or peracute disease that causes a higher incidence of death and culling of cattle. The purpose of this study was to investigate E. coli strains isolated from the raw milk of dairy cattle in Northern China, and the antibacterial susceptibility of these strains and essential virulence genes. From May to September 2015, 195 raw milk samples were collected from 195 dairy farms located in Northern China. Among the samples, 67 (34.4%) samples were positive for E. coli. About 67 E. coli strains were isolated from these 67 samples. The prevalence of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC), enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC), and enteroinvasive E. coli (EIEC) were 9, 6, 4.5, and 1.5%, respectively. Among the virulence genes detected, stx1 was the most prevalent (6/67, 9%) gene, followed by eae (3/67, 4.5%), and estB (2/67, 3%). Moreover, the strains exhibited different resistance levels to ampicillin (46.3%), amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (16.4%), trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (13.4%), tetracycline (13.4%), cefoxitin (11.9%), chloramphenicol (7.5%), kanamycin (7.5%), streptomycin (6.0%), tobramycin (4.5%), azithromycin (4.5%), and ciprofloxacin (1.5%). All of the E. coli isolates were susceptible to gentamicin. The prevalence of β-lactamase-encoding genes was 34.3% in 67 E. coli isolates and 45% in 40 β-lactam-resistance E. coli isolates. The overall prevalence of bla SHV, bla TEM, bla CMY, and bla CTX-M genes were 1.5, 20.9, 10.4, and 1.5%, respectively. Nine non-pathogenic E. coli isolates also carried β-lactamase resistance genes, which may transfer to other pathogenic E. coli and pose a threat to the farm's mastitis management projects. Our results showed that most of E. coli were multidrug resistant and possessed multiple virulence genes, which may have a huge potential hazard with public health, and antibiotic resistance of E. coli was prevalent in dairy herds in Northern China, and ampicillin should be used cautiously for mastitis caused by E. coli in Northern China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huimin Liu
- Laboratory of Quality and Safety Risk Assessment for Dairy Products of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Quality & Safety Control for Milk and Dairy Products of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Lu Meng
- Laboratory of Quality and Safety Risk Assessment for Dairy Products of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Quality & Safety Control for Milk and Dairy Products of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Lei Dong
- Laboratory of Quality and Safety Risk Assessment for Dairy Products of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Quality & Safety Control for Milk and Dairy Products of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yangdong Zhang
- Laboratory of Quality and Safety Risk Assessment for Dairy Products of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Quality & Safety Control for Milk and Dairy Products of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jiaqi Wang
- Laboratory of Quality and Safety Risk Assessment for Dairy Products of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Quality & Safety Control for Milk and Dairy Products of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Nan Zheng
- Laboratory of Quality and Safety Risk Assessment for Dairy Products of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Quality & Safety Control for Milk and Dairy Products of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
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20
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Pakbin B, Brück WM, Rossen JWA. Virulence Factors of Enteric Pathogenic Escherichia coli: A Review. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:9922. [PMID: 34576083 PMCID: PMC8468683 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22189922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2021] [Revised: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Escherichia coli are remarkably versatile microorganisms and important members of the normal intestinal microbiota of humans and animals. This harmless commensal organism can acquire a mixture of comprehensive mobile genetic elements that contain genes encoding virulence factors, becoming an emerging human pathogen capable of causing a broad spectrum of intestinal and extraintestinal diseases. Nine definite enteric E. coli pathotypes have been well characterized, causing diseases ranging from various gastrointestinal disorders to urinary tract infections. These pathotypes employ many virulence factors and effectors subverting the functions of host cells to mediate their virulence and pathogenesis. This review summarizes new developments in our understanding of diverse virulence factors associated with encoding genes used by different pathotypes of enteric pathogenic E. coli to cause intestinal and extraintestinal diseases in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Babak Pakbin
- Institute for Life Technologies, University of Applied Sciences Western Switzerland Valais-Wallis, 1950 Sion 2, Switzerland;
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, 9713 GZ Groningen, The Netherlands;
- Medical Microbiology Research Center, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin 15315-3419, Iran
| | - Wolfram M. Brück
- Institute for Life Technologies, University of Applied Sciences Western Switzerland Valais-Wallis, 1950 Sion 2, Switzerland;
| | - John W. A. Rossen
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, 9713 GZ Groningen, The Netherlands;
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de Lira DRP, Cavalcanti AMF, Pinheiro SRS, Orsi H, Dos Santos LF, Hernandes RT. Identification of a hybrid atypical enteropathogenic and enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (aEPEC/EAEC) clone of serotype O3:H2 associated with a diarrheal outbreak in Brazil. Braz J Microbiol 2021; 52:2075-2079. [PMID: 34448133 DOI: 10.1007/s42770-021-00580-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 07/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Enteropathogenic (EPEC) and enteroaggregative (EAEC) Escherichia coli are two of the major pathotypes of diarrheagenic E. coli causing disease worldwide. Here, we report a diarrheal outbreak caused by E. coli of serotype O3:H2, harboring virulence markers from EPEC (eae) and/or EAEC (aggR). This is likely the first E. coli diarrheal outbreak caused by a hybrid atypical-EPEC/EAEC clone reported in Brazil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daiany R P de Lira
- Departamento de Ciências Químicas e Biológicas (Setor de Microbiologia e Imunologia), Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), SP, Botucatu, Brazil
| | | | | | - Henrique Orsi
- Departamento de Ciências Químicas e Biológicas (Setor de Microbiologia e Imunologia), Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), SP, Botucatu, Brazil
| | - Luís F Dos Santos
- Centro de Bacteriologia, Instituto Adolfo Lutz, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo T Hernandes
- Departamento de Ciências Químicas e Biológicas (Setor de Microbiologia e Imunologia), Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), SP, Botucatu, Brazil.
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22
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Abd El Ghany M, Barquist L, Clare S, Brandt C, Mayho M, Joffre´ E, Sjöling Å, Turner AK, Klena JD, Kingsley RA, Hill-Cawthorne GA, Dougan G, Pickard D. Functional analysis of colonization factor antigen I positive enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli identifies genes implicated in survival in water and host colonization. Microb Genom 2021; 7:000554. [PMID: 34110281 PMCID: PMC8461466 DOI: 10.1099/mgen.0.000554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) expressing the colonization pili CFA/I are common causes of diarrhoeal infections in humans. Here, we use a combination of transposon mutagenesis and transcriptomic analysis to identify genes and pathways that contribute to ETEC persistence in water environments and colonization of a mammalian host. ETEC persisting in water exhibit a distinct RNA expression profile from those growing in richer media. Multiple pathways were identified that contribute to water survival, including lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis and stress response regulons. The analysis also indicated that ETEC growing in vivo in mice encounter a bottleneck driving down the diversity of colonizing ETEC populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moataz Abd El Ghany
- The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- The Westmead Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Lars Barquist
- Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research (HIRI), Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Würzburg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Simon Clare
- The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute (WTSI), the Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK
| | - Cordelia Brandt
- The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute (WTSI), the Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK
| | - Matthew Mayho
- The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute (WTSI), the Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK
| | - Enrique Joffre´
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Åsa Sjöling
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - A. Keith Turner
- The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute (WTSI), the Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK
- Quadram Institute Bioscience, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK
| | - John D. Klena
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Robert A. Kingsley
- The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute (WTSI), the Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK
- Quadram Institute Bioscience, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK
| | | | - Gordon Dougan
- The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute (WTSI), the Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Derek Pickard
- The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute (WTSI), the Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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23
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Pylkkö T, Ilina P, Tammela P. Development and validation of a high-content screening assay for inhibitors of enteropathogenic E. coli adhesion. J Microbiol Methods 2021; 184:106201. [PMID: 33713725 DOI: 10.1016/j.mimet.2021.106201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Revised: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) causes intestinal infections leading to severe diarrhea. EPEC attaches to the host cell causing lesions to the intestinal epithelium coupled with the effacement of microvilli. In the process, actin accumulates into a pedestal-like structure under bacterial microcolonies. We designed an automated fluorescence microscopy-based screening method for discovering compounds capable of inhibiting EPEC adhesion and virulence using aurodox, a type three secretion system (T3SS) inhibitor, as a positive control. The screening assay employs an EPEC strain (2348/69) expressing a fluorescent protein and actin staining for monitoring the bacteria and their pedestals respectively, analyzing these with a custom image analysis pipeline. The assay allows for the discovery of compounds capable of preventing the formation of pathogenic actin rearrangements. These compounds may be interfering with virulence-related molecular pathways relevant for developing antivirulence leads.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tuomas Pylkkö
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, P.O. Box 56, FI-00014, University of Helsinki, Finland
| | - Polina Ilina
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, P.O. Box 56, FI-00014, University of Helsinki, Finland
| | - Päivi Tammela
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, P.O. Box 56, FI-00014, University of Helsinki, Finland.
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24
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García A, Fox JG. A One Health Perspective for Defining and Deciphering Escherichia coli Pathogenic Potential in Multiple Hosts. Comp Med 2021; 71:3-45. [PMID: 33419487 PMCID: PMC7898170 DOI: 10.30802/aalas-cm-20-000054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Revised: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
E. coli is one of the most common species of bacteria colonizing humans and animals. The singularity of E. coli 's genus and species underestimates its multifaceted nature, which is represented by different strains, each with different combinations of distinct virulence factors. In fact, several E. coli pathotypes, or hybrid strains, may be associated with both subclinical infection and a range of clinical conditions, including enteric, urinary, and systemic infections. E. coli may also express DNA-damaging toxins that could impact cancer development. This review summarizes the different E. coli pathotypes in the context of their history, hosts, clinical signs, epidemiology, and control. The pathotypic characterization of E. coli in the context of disease in different animals, including humans, provides comparative and One Health perspectives that will guide future clinical and research investigations of E. coli infections.
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Key Words
- aa, aggregative adherence
- a/e, attaching and effacing
- aepec, atypical epec
- afa, afimbrial adhesin
- aida-i, adhesin involved in diffuse adherence
- aiec, adherent invasive e. coli
- apec, avian pathogenic e. coli
- atcc, american type culture collection
- bfp, bundle-forming pilus
- cd, crohn disease
- cdt, cytolethal distending toxin gene
- clb, colibactin
- cnf, cytotoxic necrotizing factor
- cs, coli surface (antigens)
- daec, diffusely adhering e. coli
- db, dutch belted
- eae, e. coli attaching and effacing gene
- eaec, enteroaggregative e. coli
- eaf, epec adherence factor (plasmid)
- eahec, entero-aggregative-hemorrhagic e. coli
- east-1, enteroaggregative e. coli heat-stable enterotoxin
- e. coli, escherichia coli
- ed, edema disease
- ehec, enterohemorrhagic e. coli
- eiec, enteroinvasive e. coli
- epec, enteropathogenic e. coli
- esbl, extended-spectrum β-lactamase
- esp, e. coli secreted protein
- etec, enterotoxigenic e. coli
- expec, extraintestinal pathogenic e. coli
- fyua, yersiniabactin receptor gene
- gi, gastrointestinal
- hly, hemolysin
- hus, hemolytic uremic syndrome
- ibd, inflammatory bowel disease
- la, localized adherence
- lee, locus of enterocyte effacement
- lpf, long polar fimbriae
- lt, heat-labile (enterotoxin)
- mlst, multilocus sequence typing
- ndm, new delhi metallo-β-lactamase
- nzw, new zealand white
- pap, pyelonephritis-associated pilus
- pks, polyketide synthase
- sfa, s fimbrial adhesin
- slt, shiga-like toxin
- st, heat-stable (enterotoxin)
- stec, stx-producing e. coli
- stx, shiga toxin
- tepec, typical epec
- upec, uropathogenic e. coli
- uti, urinary tract infection
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexis García
- Molecular Sciences Research Center, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico; Division of Comparative Medicine, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts; Division of Comparative Medicine, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts;,
| | - James G Fox
- Division of Comparative Medicine, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts
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25
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Barth SA, Bauerfeind R, Berens C, Menge C. Shiga Toxin-Producing E. coli in Animals: Detection, Characterization, and Virulence Assessment. Methods Mol Biol 2021; 2291:19-86. [PMID: 33704748 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1339-9_2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Cattle and other ruminants are primary reservoirs for Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) strains which have a highly variable, but unpredictable, pathogenic potential for humans. Domestic swine can carry and shed STEC, but only STEC strains producing the Shiga toxin (Stx) 2e variant and causing edema disease in piglets are considered pathogens of veterinary medical interest. In this chapter, we present general diagnostic workflows for sampling livestock animals to assess STEC prevalence, magnitude, and duration of host colonization. This is followed by detailed method protocols for STEC detection and typing at genetic and phenotypic levels to assess the relative virulence exerted by the strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie A Barth
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut/Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Molecular Pathogenesis, Jena, Germany
| | - Rolf Bauerfeind
- Institute for Hygiene and Infectious Diseases of Animals, Justus Liebig University Gießen, Gießen, Germany
| | - Christian Berens
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut/Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Molecular Pathogenesis, Jena, Germany
| | - Christian Menge
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut/Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Molecular Pathogenesis, Jena, Germany.
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26
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Braz VS, Melchior K, Moreira CG. Escherichia coli as a Multifaceted Pathogenic and Versatile Bacterium. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2020; 10:548492. [PMID: 33409157 PMCID: PMC7779793 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.548492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic plasticity promotes evolution and a vast diversity in Escherichia coli varying from avirulent to highly pathogenic strains, including the emergence of virulent hybrid microorganism. This ability also contributes to the emergence of antimicrobial resistance. These hybrid pathogenic E. coli (HyPEC) are emergent threats, such as O104:H4 from the European outbreak in 2011, aggregative adherent bacteria with the potent Shiga-toxin. Here, we briefly revisited the details of these E. coli classic and hybrid pathogens, the increase in antimicrobial resistance in the context of a genetically empowered multifaceted and versatile bug and the growing need to advance alternative therapies to fight these infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vânia Santos Braz
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara, Brazil
| | - Karine Melchior
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara, Brazil
| | - Cristiano Gallina Moreira
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara, Brazil
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27
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Sun J, Shi Y, Du Y, Wang Z, Liu Z, Wang H, Zhao G, Ma Y, Zheng M. Rapid Detection of Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli by a New Multiplex Real-Time Quantitative PCR Assay. APPL BIOCHEM MICRO+ 2020. [DOI: 10.1134/s0003683820060174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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28
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Valiatti TB, Santos FF, Santos ACM, Nascimento JAS, Silva RM, Carvalho E, Sinigaglia R, Gomes TAT. Genetic and Virulence Characteristics of a Hybrid Atypical Enteropathogenic and Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (aEPEC/UPEC) Strain. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2020; 10:492. [PMID: 33134184 PMCID: PMC7550682 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.00492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 08/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Hybrid strains of Escherichia coli combine virulence traits of diarrheagenic (DEC) and extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC), but it is poorly understood whether these combined features improve the virulence potential of such strains. We have previously identified a uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) strain (UPEC 252) harboring the eae gene that encodes the adhesin intimin and is located in the locus of enterocyte effacement (LEE) pathogenicity island. The LEE-encoded proteins allow enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) and enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) to form attaching and effacing (A/E) lesions in enterocytes. We sought to characterize UPEC 252 through whole-genome sequencing and phenotypic virulence assays. Genome analysis unveiled that this strain harbors a complete LEE region, with more than 97% of identity comparing to E2348/69 (EPEC) and O157:H7 Sakai (EHEC) prototype strains, which was functional, since UPEC 252 expressed the LEE-encoded proteins EspB and intimin and induced actin accumulation foci in HeLa cells. Phylogenetic analysis performed comparing 1,000 single-copy shared genes clustered UPEC 252 with atypical EPEC strains that belong to the sequence type 10, phylogroup A. Additionally, UPEC 252 was resistant to the bactericidal power of human serum and colonized cells of the urinary (T24 and HEK293-T) and intestinal (Caco-2 and LS174T) tracts. Our findings suggest that UPEC 252 is an atypical EPEC strain that emerges as a hybrid strain (aEPEC/UPEC), which could colonize new niches and potentially cause intestinal and extraintestinal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiago B Valiatti
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fernanda F Santos
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ana C M Santos
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Júllia A S Nascimento
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rosa M Silva
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Eneas Carvalho
- Laboratório de Bacteriologia, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rita Sinigaglia
- Centro de Microscopia Eletrônica, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Tânia A T Gomes
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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Abstract
Escherichia coli is a commensal of the vertebrate gut that is increasingly involved in various intestinal and extra-intestinal infections as an opportunistic pathogen. Numerous pathotypes that represent groups of strains with specific pathogenic characteristics have been described based on heterogeneous and complex criteria. The democratization of whole-genome sequencing has led to an accumulation of genomic data that render possible a population phylogenomic approach to the emergence of virulence. Few lineages are responsible for the pathologies compared with the diversity of commensal strains. These lineages emerged multiple times during E. coli evolution, mainly by acquiring virulence genes located on mobile elements, but in a specific chromosomal phylogenetic background. This repeated emergence of stable and cosmopolitan lineages argues for an optimization of strain fitness through epistatic interactions between the virulence determinants and the remaining genome.
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30
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Santos ACDM, Santos FF, Silva RM, Gomes TAT. Diversity of Hybrid- and Hetero-Pathogenic Escherichia coli and Their Potential Implication in More Severe Diseases. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2020; 10:339. [PMID: 32766163 PMCID: PMC7381148 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.00339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Although extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli (ExPEC) are designated by their isolation site and grouped based on the type of host and the disease they cause, most diarrheagenic E. coli (DEC) are subdivided into several pathotypes based on the presence of specific virulence traits directly related to disease development. This scenario of a well-categorized E. coli collapsed after the German outbreak of 2011, caused by one strain bearing the virulence factors of two different DEC pathotypes (enteroaggregative E. coli and Shiga toxin-producing E. coli). Since the outbreak, many studies have shown that this phenomenon is more frequent than previously realized. Therefore, the terms hybrid- and hetero-pathogenic E. coli have been coined to describe new combinations of virulence factors among the classic E. coli pathotypes. In this review, we provide an overview of these classifications and highlight the E. coli genomic plasticity that results in some mixed E. coli pathotypes displaying novel pathogenic strategies, which lead to a new symptomatology related to E. coli diseases. In addition, as the capacity for genome interrogation has grown in the last few years, it is clear that genes encoding some virulence factors, such as Shiga toxin, are found among different E. coli pathotypes to which they have not traditionally been associated, perhaps foreshowing their emergence in new and severe outbreaks caused by such hybrid strains. Therefore, further studies regarding hetero-pathogenic and hybrid-pathogenic E. coli isolates are necessary to better understand and control the spread of these pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Carolina de Mello Santos
- Disciplina de Microbiologia, Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Fernandes Santos
- Disciplina de Microbiologia, Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rosa Maria Silva
- Disciplina de Microbiologia, Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Tânia Aparecida Tardelli Gomes
- Disciplina de Microbiologia, Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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31
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Is Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli O45 No Longer a Food Safety Threat? The Danger is Still Out There. Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8050782. [PMID: 32455956 PMCID: PMC7285328 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8050782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Revised: 05/16/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Many Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) strains, including the serogroups of O157 and most of the top six non-O157 serotypes, are frequently associated with foodborne outbreaks. Therefore, they have been extensively studied using next-generation sequencing technology. However, related information regarding STEC O45 strains is scarce. In this study, three environmental E. coli O45:H16 strains (RM11911, RM13745, and RM13752) and one clinical E. coli O45:H2 strain (SJ7) were sequenced and used to characterize virulence factors using two reference E. coli O45:H2 strains of clinical origin. Subsequently, whole-genome-based phylogenetic analysis was conducted for the six STEC O45 strains and nine other reference STEC genomes, in order to evaluate their evolutionary relationship. The results show that one locus of enterocyte effacement pathogenicity island was found in all three STEC O45:H2 strains, but not in the STEC O45:H16 strains. Additionally, E. coli O45:H2 strains were evolutionarily close to E. coli O103:H2 strains, sharing high homology in terms of virulence factors, such as Stx prophages, but were distinct from E. coli O45:H16 strains. The findings show that E. coli O45:H2 may be as virulent as E. coli O103:H2, which is frequently associated with severe illness and can provide genomic evidence to facilitate STEC surveillance.
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32
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Sher Y, Olm MR, Raveh-Sadka T, Brown CT, Sher R, Firek B, Baker R, Morowitz MJ, Banfield JF. Combined analysis of microbial metagenomic and metatranscriptomic sequencing data to assess in situ physiological conditions in the premature infant gut. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0229537. [PMID: 32130257 PMCID: PMC7055874 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0229537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2019] [Accepted: 02/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Microbes alter their transcriptomic profiles in response to the environment. The physiological conditions experienced by a microbial community can thus be inferred using meta-transcriptomic sequencing by comparing transcription levels of specifically chosen genes. However, this analysis requires accurate reference genomes to identify the specific genes from which RNA reads originate. In addition, such an analysis should avoid biases in transcript counts related to differences in organism abundance. In this study we describe an approach to address these difficulties. Sample-specific meta-genomic assembled genomes (MAGs) were used as reference genomes to accurately identify the origin of RNA reads, and transcript ratios of genes with opposite transcription responses were compared to eliminate biases related to differences in organismal abundance, an approach hereafter named the "diametric ratio" method. We used this approach to probe the environmental conditions experienced by Escherichia spp. in the gut of 4 premature infants, 2 of whom developed necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a severe inflammatory intestinal disease. We analyzed twenty fecal samples taken from four premature infants (4-6 time points from each infant), and found significantly higher diametric ratios of genes associated with low oxygen levels in samples of infants later diagnosed with NEC than in samples without NEC. We also show this method can be used for examining other physiological conditions, such as exposure to nitric oxide and osmotic pressure. These study results should be treated with caution, due to the presence of confounding factors that might also distinguish between NEC and control infants. Nevertheless, together with benchmarking analyses, we show here that the diametric ratio approach can be applied for evaluating the physiological conditions experienced by microbes in situ. Results from similar studies can be further applied for designing diagnostic methods to detect NEC in its early developmental stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yonatan Sher
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, United States of America
| | - Matthew R. Olm
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, United States of America
| | - Tali Raveh-Sadka
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, United States of America
| | - Christopher T. Brown
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, United States of America
| | - Ruth Sher
- Enview, Inc., San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Brian Firek
- Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Robyn Baker
- Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Michael J. Morowitz
- Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Jillian F. Banfield
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, United States of America
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, United States of America
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33
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Rasko DA, Del Canto F, Luo Q, Fleckenstein JM, Vidal R, Hazen TH. Comparative genomic analysis and molecular examination of the diversity of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli isolates from Chile. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019; 13:e0007828. [PMID: 31747410 PMCID: PMC6901236 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2019] [Revised: 12/09/2019] [Accepted: 10/04/2019] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) is one of the most common diarrheal pathogens in the low- and middle-income regions of the world, however a systematic examination of the genomic content of isolates from Chile has not yet been undertaken. Whole genome sequencing and comparative analysis of a collection of 125 ETEC isolates from three geographic locations in Chile, allowed the interrogation of phylogenomic groups, sequence types and genes specific to isolates from the different geographic locations. A total of 80.8% (101/125) of the ETEC isolates were identified in E. coli phylogroup A, 15.2% (19/125) in phylogroup B, and 4.0% (5/125) in phylogroup E. The over-representation of genomes in phylogroup A was significantly different from other global ETEC genomic studies. The Chilean ETEC isolates could be further subdivided into sub-clades similar to previously defined global ETEC reference lineages that had conserved multi-locus sequence types and toxin profiles. Comparison of the gene content of the Chilean ETEC identified genes that were unique based on geographic location within Chile, phylogenomic classifications or sequence type. Completion of a limited number of genomes provided insight into the ETEC plasmid content, which is conserved in some phylogenomic groups and not conserved in others. These findings suggest that the Chilean ETEC isolates contain unique virulence factor combinations and genomic content compared to global reference ETEC isolates.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A. Rasko
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Felipe Del Canto
- Programa de Microbiología y Micología, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Qingwei Luo
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - James M. Fleckenstein
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, United States of America
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Saint Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Roberto Vidal
- Programa de Microbiología y Micología, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Instituto Milenio de Inmunología e Inmunoterapia, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Tracy H. Hazen
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
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Yang X, Bai X, Zhang J, Sun H, Fu S, Fan R, He X, Scheutz F, Matussek A, Xiong Y. Escherichia coli strains producing a novel Shiga toxin 2 subtype circulate in China. Int J Med Microbiol 2019; 310:151377. [PMID: 31757694 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmm.2019.151377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2019] [Revised: 09/25/2019] [Accepted: 10/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Shiga toxin (Stx) is the key virulence factor in Shiga toxin producing Escherichia coli (STEC), which can cause diarrhea and hemorrhagic colitis with life-threatening complications. Stx comprises two toxin types, Stx1 and Stx2. Several Stx1/Stx2 subtypes have been identified in E. coli, which are variable in sequences, toxicity and host specificity. Here, we report the identification of a novel Stx2 subtype, designated Stx2k, in E. coli strains widely detected from diarrheal patients, animals, and raw meats in China over time. Stx2k exhibits varied cytotoxicity in vitro among individual strains. The Stx2k converting prophages displayed considerable heterogeneity in terms of insertion site, genetic content and structure. Whole genome analysis revealed that the stx2k-containing strains were genetically heterogeneous with diverse serotypes, sequence types, and virulence gene profiles. The nine stx2k-containing strains formed two major phylogenetic clusters closely with strains belonging to STEC, enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC), and STEC/ETEC hybrid. One stx2k-containing strain harbored one plasmid-encoded heat-stable enterotoxin sta gene and two identical copies of chromosome-encoded stb gene, exhibiting STEC/ETEC hybrid pathotype. Our finding enlarges the pool of Stx2 subtypes and highlights the extraordinary genomic plasticity of STEC strains. Given the wide distribution of the Stx2k-producing strains in diverse sources and their pathogenic potential, Stx2k should be taken into account in epidemiological surveillance of STEC infections and clinical diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Changping, Beijing, China
| | - Xiangning Bai
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Changping, Beijing, China; Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Ji Zhang
- EpiLab, New Zealand Food Safety Science & Research Centre, School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, New Zealand
| | - Hui Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Changping, Beijing, China
| | - Shanshan Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Changping, Beijing, China
| | - Ruyue Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Changping, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaohua He
- Western Regional Research Center, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Albany, CA, USA
| | - Flemming Scheutz
- The International Centre for Reference and Research on Escherichia and Klebsiella, Unit of Foodborne Bacteria and Typing, Department of Bacteria, Parasites and Fungi, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Andreas Matussek
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Yanwen Xiong
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Changping, Beijing, China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China.
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The Complete Genome of the Atypical Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli Archetype Isolate E110019 Highlights a Role for Plasmids in Dissemination of the Type III Secreted Effector EspT. Infect Immun 2019; 87:IAI.00412-19. [PMID: 31358567 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00412-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2019] [Accepted: 07/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) is a leading cause of moderate to severe diarrhea among young children in developing countries, and EPEC isolates can be subdivided into two groups. Typical EPEC (tEPEC) bacteria are characterized by the presence of both the locus of enterocyte effacement (LEE) and the plasmid-encoded bundle-forming pilus (BFP), which are involved in adherence and translocation of type III effectors into the host cells. Atypical EPEC (aEPEC) bacteria also contain the LEE but lack the BFP. In the current report, we describe the complete genome of outbreak-associated aEPEC isolate E110019, which carries four plasmids. Comparative genomic analysis demonstrated that the type III secreted effector EspT gene, an autotransporter gene, a hemolysin gene, and putative fimbrial genes are all carried on plasmids. Further investigation of 65 espT-containing E. coli genomes demonstrated that different espT alleles are associated with multiple plasmids that differ in their overall gene content from the E110019 espT-containing plasmid. EspT has been previously described with respect to its role in the ability of E110019 to invade host cells. While other type III secreted effectors of E. coli have been identified on insertion elements and prophages of the chromosome, we demonstrated in the current study that the espT gene is located on multiple unique plasmids. These findings highlight a role of plasmids in dissemination of a unique E. coli type III secreted effector that is involved in host invasion and severe diarrheal illness.
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Montero DA, Canto FD, Velasco J, Colello R, Padola NL, Salazar JC, Martin CS, Oñate A, Blanco J, Rasko DA, Contreras C, Puente JL, Scheutz F, Franz E, Vidal RM. Cumulative acquisition of pathogenicity islands has shaped virulence potential and contributed to the emergence of LEE-negative Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli strains. Emerg Microbes Infect 2019; 8:486-502. [PMID: 30924410 PMCID: PMC6455142 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2019.1595985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) are foodborne pathogens causing severe gastroenteritis, which may lead to hemolytic uremic syndrome. The Locus of Enterocyte Effacement (LEE), a Pathogenicity Island (PAI), is a major determinant of intestinal epithelium attachment of a group of STEC strains; however, the virulence repertoire of STEC strains lacking LEE, has not been fully characterized. The incidence of LEE-negative STEC strains has increased in several countries, highlighting the relevance of their study. In order to gain insights into the basis for the emergence of LEE-negative STEC strains, we performed a large-scale genomic analysis of 367 strains isolated worldwide from humans, animals, food and the environment. We identified uncharacterized genomic islands, including two PAIs and one Integrative Conjugative Element. Additionally, the Locus of Adhesion and Autoaggregation (LAA) was the most prevalent PAI among LEE-negative strains and we found that it contributes to colonization of the mice intestine. Our comprehensive and rigorous comparative genomic and phylogenetic analyses suggest that the accumulative acquisition of PAIs has played an important, but currently unappreciated role, in the evolution of virulence in these strains. This study provides new knowledge on the pathogenicity of LEE-negative STEC strains and identifies molecular markers for their epidemiological surveillance.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Arturo Montero
- a Programa de Microbiología y Micología, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile , Santiago , Chile
| | - Felipe Del Canto
- a Programa de Microbiología y Micología, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile , Santiago , Chile
| | - Juliana Velasco
- b Servicio de Urgencia Infantil, Hospital Clínico de la Universidad de Chile "Dr. José Joaquín Aguirre" , Santiago , Chile
| | - Rocío Colello
- c Centro de Investigación Veterinaria Tandil, CONICET-CIC, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, UNCPBA , Tandil , Argentina
| | - Nora Lia Padola
- c Centro de Investigación Veterinaria Tandil, CONICET-CIC, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, UNCPBA , Tandil , Argentina
| | - Juan Carlos Salazar
- a Programa de Microbiología y Micología, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile , Santiago , Chile
| | - Carla San Martin
- d Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas , Universidad de Concepción , Concepción , Chile
| | - Angel Oñate
- d Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas , Universidad de Concepción , Concepción , Chile
| | - Jorge Blanco
- e Laboratorio de Referencia de E. coli, Facultad de Veterinaria , Universidad de Santiago de Compostela , Lugo , España
| | - David A Rasko
- f Department of Microbiology and Immunology , University of Maryland School of Medicine , Baltimore , MD , USA
| | - Carmen Contreras
- g Departamento de Microbiología Molecular , Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México , Cuernavaca , México
| | - Jose Luis Puente
- g Departamento de Microbiología Molecular , Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México , Cuernavaca , México
| | - Flemming Scheutz
- h Department of Bacteria, Parasites and Fungi , The International Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Escherichia and Klebsiella, Statens Serum Institut , Copenhagen , Denmark
| | - Eelco Franz
- i National Institute for Public Health, Centre for Infectious Disease Control , Bilthoven , The Netherlands
| | - Roberto M Vidal
- a Programa de Microbiología y Micología, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile , Santiago , Chile.,j Instituto Milenio de Inmunología e Inmunoterapia, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile , Santiago , Chile
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Bai X, Zhang J, Ambikan A, Jernberg C, Ehricht R, Scheutz F, Xiong Y, Matussek A. Molecular Characterization and Comparative Genomics of Clinical Hybrid Shiga Toxin-Producing and Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (STEC/ETEC) Strains in Sweden. Sci Rep 2019; 9:5619. [PMID: 30948755 PMCID: PMC6449507 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-42122-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2019] [Accepted: 03/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Hybrid E. coli pathotypes are representing emerging public health threats with enhanced virulence from different pathotypes. Hybrids of Shiga toxin-producing and enterotoxigenic E. coli (STEC/ETEC) have been reported to be associated with diarrheal disease and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) in humans. Here, we identified and characterized four clinical STEC/ETEC hybrids from diarrheal patients with or without fever or abdominal pain and healthy contact in Sweden. Rare stx2 subtypes were present in STEC/ETEC hybrids. Stx2 production was detectable in stx2a and stx2e containing strains. Different copies of ETEC virulence marker, sta gene, were found in two hybrids. Three sta subtypes, namely, sta1, sta4 and sta5 were designated, with sta4 being predominant. The hybrids represented diverse and rare serotypes (O15:H16, O187:H28, O100:H30, and O136:H12). Genome-wide phylogeny revealed that these hybrids exhibited close relatedness with certain ETEC, STEC/ETEC hybrid and commensal E. coli strains, implying the potential acquisition of Stx-phages or/and ETEC virulence genes in the emergence of STEC/ETEC hybrids. Given the emergence and public health significance of hybrid pathotypes, a broader range of virulence markers should be considered in the E. coli pathotypes diagnostics, and targeted follow up of cases is suggested to better understand the hybrid infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangning Bai
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, Sweden.,State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Ji Zhang
- mEpiLab, New Zealand Food Safety Science & Research Centre, Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Massey, New Zealand
| | - Anoop Ambikan
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, Sweden
| | | | - Ralf Ehricht
- InfectoGnostics Research Campus e.V., Philosophenweg 7, Jena, Germany.,Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology e.V. Jena (Leibniz-IPHT), Jena, Germany
| | - Flemming Scheutz
- The International Centre for Reference and Research on Escherichia and Klebsiella, Unit of Foodborne Bacteria and Typing, Department of Bacteria, Parasites and Fungi, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Yanwen Xiong
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Andreas Matussek
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, Sweden. .,Karolinska University Laboratory, Stockholm, Sweden. .,Department of Laboratory Medicine, Region Jönköping County, Jönköping, Sweden.
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Genome and Functional Characterization of Colonization Factor Antigen I- and CS6-Encoding Heat-Stable Enterotoxin-Only Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli Reveals Lineage and Geographic Variation. mSystems 2019; 4:mSystems00329-18. [PMID: 30944874 PMCID: PMC6446980 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.00329-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2018] [Accepted: 12/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Comparative genomics and functional characterization were used to analyze a global collection of CFA/I and CS6 ST-only ETEC isolates associated with human diarrhea, demonstrating differences in the genomic content of CFA/I and CS6 isolates related to CF type, lineage, and geographic location of isolation and also lineage-related differences in ST production. Complete genome sequencing of selected CFA/I and CS6 isolates enabled descriptions of a highly conserved ST-positive (ST+) CFA/I plasmid and of at least five diverse ST and/or CS6 plasmids among the CS6 ETEC isolates. There is currently no approved vaccine for ST-only ETEC, or for any ETEC for that matter, and as such, the current report provides functional verification of ST and CF production and antimicrobial susceptibility testing and an in-depth genomic characterization of a collection of isolates that could serve as representatives of CFA/I- or CS6-encoding ST-only ETEC strains for future studies of ETEC pathogenesis, vaccine studies, and/or clinical trials. Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) is a significant cause of childhood diarrhea and is a leading cause of traveler’s diarrhea. ETEC strains encoding the heat-stable enterotoxin (ST) are more often associated with childhood diarrhea than ETEC strains that encode only the heat-labile enterotoxin (LT). Colonization factors (CFs) also have a demonstrated role in ETEC virulence, and two of the most prevalent CFs among ETEC that have caused diarrhea are colonization factor antigen I (CFA/I) and CS6. In the current report, we describe the genomes of 269 CS6- or CFA/I-encoding ST-only ETEC isolates that were associated with human diarrhea. While the CS6 and CFA/I ETEC were identified in at least 13 different ETEC genomic lineages, a majority (85%; 229/269) were identified in only six lineages. Complete genome sequencing of selected isolates demonstrated that a conserved plasmid contributed to the dissemination of CFA/I whereas at least five distinct plasmids were involved in the dissemination of ST and/or CS6. Additionally, there were differences in gene content between CFA/I and CS6 ETEC at the phylogroup and lineage levels and in association with their geographic location of isolation as well as lineage-related differences in ST production. Thus, we demonstrate that genomically diverse E. coli strains have acquired ST, as well as CFA/I or CS6, via one or more plasmids and that, in some cases, isolates of a particular lineage or geographic location have undergone additional modifications to their genome content. These findings will aid investigations of virulence and the development of improved diagnostics and vaccines against this important human diarrheal pathogen. IMPORTANCE Comparative genomics and functional characterization were used to analyze a global collection of CFA/I and CS6 ST-only ETEC isolates associated with human diarrhea, demonstrating differences in the genomic content of CFA/I and CS6 isolates related to CF type, lineage, and geographic location of isolation and also lineage-related differences in ST production. Complete genome sequencing of selected CFA/I and CS6 isolates enabled descriptions of a highly conserved ST-positive (ST+) CFA/I plasmid and of at least five diverse ST and/or CS6 plasmids among the CS6 ETEC isolates. There is currently no approved vaccine for ST-only ETEC, or for any ETEC for that matter, and as such, the current report provides functional verification of ST and CF production and antimicrobial susceptibility testing and an in-depth genomic characterization of a collection of isolates that could serve as representatives of CFA/I- or CS6-encoding ST-only ETEC strains for future studies of ETEC pathogenesis, vaccine studies, and/or clinical trials.
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Gioia-Di Chiacchio RM, Cunha MPV, de Sá LRM, Davies YM, Pereira CBP, Martins FH, Munhoz DD, Abe CM, Franzolin MR, Dos Santos LF, Guth BEC, Elias WP, Piazza RMF, Knöbl T. Novel Hybrid of Typical Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli and Shiga-Toxin-Producing E. coli (tEPEC/STEC) Emerging From Pet Birds. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:2975. [PMID: 30574131 PMCID: PMC6291465 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.02975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2018] [Accepted: 11/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Exotic psittacine birds have been implicated as reservoir of diarrheagenic Escherichia coli (E. coli), including enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) and Shiga-toxin producing E. coli (STEC). Here, we present a genotypic and phenotypic characterization of typical EPEC/STEC hybrid strains isolated from exotic psittacine birds. The strains were positive for eae, bfpA, and stx2f genes, belong to serotype O137:H6 and ST2678. Two strains were subject to whole genome sequencing, confirming the presence of the virulence factors of both E. coli pathotypes. Phenotypical in vitro tests confirmed their ability to adhere to HeLa cells and cause cytotoxicity to Vero cells. The rabbit ileal loop assays showed the attaching and effacing lesion, in addition to inflammatory process and overproduction of intestinal mucus. This is the first report of hybrid typical EPEC/STEC (O137:H6/ST2678) strains isolated from companion psittacine birds and the results suggest zoonotic risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosely Martins Gioia-Di Chiacchio
- Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, São Paulo, Brazil.,School of Veterinary Medicine, Paulista University, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | - Yamê Minieiro Davies
- Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Terezinha Knöbl
- Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, São Paulo, Brazil
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Detection and Categorization of Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli with Auto-microfluidic Thin-film Chip Method. Sci Rep 2018; 8:12926. [PMID: 30150710 PMCID: PMC6110803 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-30765-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2018] [Accepted: 08/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli (DEC) causes human diarrhea symptom in both healthy and immunocompromised individuals. An auto-microfluidic thin-film chip (AMTC) instrument integrating one-step multiplex PCR (mPCR) with reverse dot blot hybridization (RDBH) was developed for high-throughput detection of DEC. The novel mPCR method was developed by designing 14 specific primers and corresponding probes. 14 indexes including an endogenous gene (uidA) and 13 pathogenic genes (stx1, stx2, escV, ipaH, invE, estB, lt, pic, aggR, astA, bfpB, sth and stp) of DEC were detected. This one-step mPCR + RDBH approach is useful for simultaneous detection of numerous target genes in a single sample, whose specificity and availability have been confirmed on the positive control of 11 DEC strains. In addition, with 300 diarrheal stool samples being detected by this method, 21 were found to contain five major DEC strains. Compared with monoplex PCR and previous one-step mPCR approach, this method could detect ipaH and estB, and compared with current commercial kit, the relevance ratio of DEC detected by the AMTC method was increased by 1% in stool samples. Furthermore, the novel integration AMTC device could be a valuable detection tool for categorization of E. coli.
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