1
|
Garcia BG, Castro FS, Vieira MAM, Girão DM, Uenishi LT, Cergole-Novella MC, Dos Santos LF, Piazza RMF, Hernandes RT, Gomes TAT. Distribution of the pilS gene in Escherichia coli pathovars, its transfer ability and influence in the typical enteropathogenic E. coli adherence phenotype. Int J Med Microbiol 2018; 309:66-72. [PMID: 30559068 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmm.2018.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2018] [Revised: 11/20/2018] [Accepted: 12/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Typical enteropathogenic Escherichia coli strains (tEPEC) cause attaching/effacing lesions in eukaryotic cells and produce the bundle-forming pilus (BFP), which interweaves and aggregates bacteria, resulting in the localized adherence (LA) pattern on eukaryotic cells. Previously, we identified tEPEC strains (serotype O119:H6) that exhibited LA simultaneously with an aggregative adherence (AA)-like pattern (LA/AA-like+). Remarkably, AA is characteristically produced by strains of enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC), another diarrheagenic E. coli pathovar. In one LA/AA-like + strain (Ec404/03), we identified a conjugative plasmid containing the pil operon, which encodes the Pil fimbriae. Moreover, a pil operon associated with an AA pattern and plasmid transfer had been previously described in the EAEC C1096 strain. In this study, we investigated the occurrence of the two pilS alleles (pilSEc404 and pilSC1096) in tEPEC strains of different serotypes, origins and years of isolation. We also examined the potential relationship of pilS with the AA-like phenotype, its ability to be transferred by conjugation, and occurrence among strains of the other E. coli pathovars. The pilS alleles were found in 90 (55.2%) of 163 tEPEC strains, with pilSEc404 occurring more often (30.7%) than pilSC1096 (25.1%). About 21 tEPEC serotypes carried pilS. The pilS alleles were found in tEPEC strains from Chile, Peru and different Brazilian cities, with the oldest strain being isolated in 1966. No absolute correlation was found between the presence of pilS and the AA-like pattern. Conjugative pilS transfer was detected in 26.2% of pilSEc404+ strains and in 65.1% of pilSC1096+ strains, but only pilSEc404+ transconjugants were AA-like+, thus suggesting that the latter allele might need a different genetic background to express this phenotype. pilS was found in all other E. coli pathovars, where it was most prevalent in enterotoxigenic E. coli. More studies are needed to understand the mechanisms involved in the regulation of Pil expression and production.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bruna G Garcia
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Felipe S Castro
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Mônica A M Vieira
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Dennys M Girão
- Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Lucas T Uenishi
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Luis F Dos Santos
- Centro de Bacteriologia, Núcleo de Doenças Entéricas, Instituto Adolfo Lutz, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Rodrigo T Hernandes
- Departamento de Microbiologia e Imunologia, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Instituto de Biociências, Botucatu, Brazil
| | - Tânia A T Gomes
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Gomes TAT, Elias WP, Scaletsky ICA, Guth BEC, Rodrigues JF, Piazza RMF, Ferreira LCS, Martinez MB. Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli. Braz J Microbiol 2016; 47 Suppl 1:3-30. [PMID: 27866935 PMCID: PMC5156508 DOI: 10.1016/j.bjm.2016.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 252] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2016] [Accepted: 10/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Most Escherichia coli strains live harmlessly in the intestines and rarely cause disease in healthy individuals. Nonetheless, a number of pathogenic strains can cause diarrhea or extraintestinal diseases both in healthy and immunocompromised individuals. Diarrheal illnesses are a severe public health problem and a major cause of morbidity and mortality in infants and young children, especially in developing countries. E. coli strains that cause diarrhea have evolved by acquiring, through horizontal gene transfer, a particular set of characteristics that have successfully persisted in the host. According to the group of virulence determinants acquired, specific combinations were formed determining the currently known E. coli pathotypes, which are collectively known as diarrheagenic E. coli. In this review, we have gathered information on current definitions, serotypes, lineages, virulence mechanisms, epidemiology, and diagnosis of the major diarrheagenic E. coli pathotypes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tânia A T Gomes
- Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| | - Waldir P Elias
- Instituto Butantan, Laboratório de Bacterologia, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Isabel C A Scaletsky
- Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Beatriz E C Guth
- Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Juliana F Rodrigues
- Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Departamento de Microbiologia, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Roxane M F Piazza
- Instituto Butantan, Laboratório de Bacterologia, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Luís C S Ferreira
- Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Departamento de Microbiologia, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Marina B Martinez
- Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Departamento de Análises Clínicas e Toxicológicas, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Dias RCB, dos Santos BC, dos Santos LF, Vieira MA, Yamatogi RS, Mondelli AL, Sadatsune T, Sforcin JM, Gomes TAT, Hernandes RT. DiarrheagenicEscherichia colipathotypes investigation revealed atypical enteropathogenicE. colias putative emerging diarrheal agents in children living in Botucatu, São Paulo State, Brazil. APMIS 2016; 124:299-308. [DOI: 10.1111/apm.12501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2015] [Accepted: 11/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Regiane C. B. Dias
- Departamento de Microbiologia e Imunologia; Instituto de Biociências; Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” (UNESP); Botucatu SP Brazil
| | - Bruna C. dos Santos
- Departamento de Microbiologia e Imunologia; Instituto de Biociências; Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” (UNESP); Botucatu SP Brazil
| | - Luis F. dos Santos
- Centro de Bacteriologia; Instituto Adolfo Lutz (IAL); São Paulo SP Brazil
| | - Melissa A. Vieira
- Departamento de Microbiologia e Imunologia; Instituto de Biociências; Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” (UNESP); Botucatu SP Brazil
| | - Ricardo S. Yamatogi
- Departamento de Microbiologia e Imunologia; Instituto de Biociências; Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” (UNESP); Botucatu SP Brazil
| | - Alessandro L. Mondelli
- Departamento de Patologia Clínica; Faculdade de Medicina; Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” (UNESP); Botucatu SP Brazil
| | - Terue Sadatsune
- Departamento de Microbiologia e Imunologia; Instituto de Biociências; Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” (UNESP); Botucatu SP Brazil
| | - José M. Sforcin
- Departamento de Microbiologia e Imunologia; Instituto de Biociências; Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” (UNESP); Botucatu SP Brazil
| | - Tânia A. T. Gomes
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia da; Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP); São Paulo SP Brazil
| | - Rodrigo T. Hernandes
- Departamento de Microbiologia e Imunologia; Instituto de Biociências; Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” (UNESP); Botucatu SP Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Abstract
Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) strains induce morphological changes in infected epithelial cells. The resulting attaching and effacing (A/E) lesion is characterized by intimate bacterial adherence to epithelial cells, with microvillus destruction, cytoskeletal rearrangement, and aggregation of host cytoskeletal proteins. This review presents an overview of the adhesion mechanisms used for the colonization of the human gastrointestinal tract by EPEC. The mechanisms underlying EPEC adhesion, prior to and during the formation of the A/E lesion, and the host cytosolic responses to bacterial infection leading to diarrheal disease are discussed.
Collapse
|
5
|
Teixeira NB, Rojas TCG, da Silveira WD, Matheus-Guimarães C, Silva NP, Scaletsky ICA. Genetic analysis of enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) adherence factor (EAF) plasmid reveals a new deletion within the EAF probe sequence among O119 typical EPEC strains. BMC Microbiol 2015; 15:200. [PMID: 26438110 PMCID: PMC4594896 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-015-0539-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2015] [Accepted: 09/29/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) are classified into typical and atypical strains based on the presence of the E. coli adherence factor (EAF) plasmid. The EAF plasmid contains the bfp (bundle-forming pilus) operon and the perABC (plasmid encoded regulator) gene cluster. A 1-kb cryptic region of EAF plasmid has been widely used as a genetic probe for EPEC detection. However, some EPEC strains may harbor an EAF plasmid lacking the EAF probe sequence, which makes the differentiation between typical and atypical a complex task. In this study, we report the genetic analysis of the EAF plasmid-encoded genes in a collection of EPEC clinical isolates. Methods A total of 222 EPEC clinical isolates, which were previously classified as typical (n = 70) or atypical (n = 152) by EAF probe reactivity, were screened for the presence of different EAF sequences by PCR and DNA hybridization. Results All typical strains possessed intact bfpA and perA genes, and most of them were positive in the PCR for EAF probe sequence. However, a subset of 30 typical strains, 22 of which belonged to O119 serogroup, presented a 1652 pb deletion in the region between 1093-bp downstream perC and 616-bp of the EAF fragment. The bfpA, bfpG, and per genes were found in all typical strains. In addition, 32 (21 %) atypical strains presented the perA gene, and 20 (13.2 %) also presented the bfpA gene. Among the 32 strains, 16 belonged to the O119:H2, O119:HND, and ONT:HND serotypes. All 32 atypical strains contained perA mutation frameshifts and possessed an IS1294 element upstream of the per operon as detected by PCR followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) typing and multiplex PCR. Among the 20 bfpA probe-positive strains, eight O119 strains possessed deletion in the bfp operon at the 3′end of bfpA due to an IS66 element. Conclusion Our data show that typical O119 strains may contain a deletion within the EAF probe sequence not previously reported. This new finding suggests that care should be taken when using the previously described EAF PCR assay in epidemiological studies for the detection of typical O119 strains. In addition, we were able to confirm that some atypical strains carry vestiges of the EAF plasmid.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nathalia B Teixeira
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Rua Botucatu, 862, 3 andar, São Paulo, 04023-062, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Thais C G Rojas
- Departamento de Genética, Evolução e Bioagentes, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, Brazil.
| | - Wanderley D da Silveira
- Departamento de Genética, Evolução e Bioagentes, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, Brazil.
| | - Cecília Matheus-Guimarães
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Rua Botucatu, 862, 3 andar, São Paulo, 04023-062, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Neusa P Silva
- Disciplina de Reumatologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Isabel C A Scaletsky
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Rua Botucatu, 862, 3 andar, São Paulo, 04023-062, São Paulo, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Comparative Genomics Provides Insight into the Diversity of the Attaching and Effacing Escherichia coli Virulence Plasmids. Infect Immun 2015; 83:4103-17. [PMID: 26238712 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00769-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2015] [Accepted: 07/26/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Attaching and effacing Escherichia coli (AEEC) strains are a genomically diverse group of diarrheagenic E. coli strains that are characterized by the presence of the locus of enterocyte effacement (LEE) genomic island, which encodes a type III secretion system that is essential to virulence. AEEC strains can be further classified as either enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC), typical enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC), or atypical EPEC, depending on the presence or absence of the Shiga toxin genes or bundle-forming pilus (BFP) genes. Recent AEEC genomic studies have focused on the diversity of the core genome, and less is known regarding the genetic diversity and relatedness of AEEC plasmids. Comparative genomic analyses in this study demonstrated genetic similarity among AEEC plasmid genes involved in plasmid replication conjugative transfer and maintenance, while the remainder of the plasmids had sequence variability. Investigation of the EPEC adherence factor (EAF) plasmids, which carry the BFP genes, demonstrated significant plasmid diversity even among isolates within the same phylogenomic lineage, suggesting that these EAF-like plasmids have undergone genetic modifications or have been lost and acquired multiple times. Global transcriptional analyses of the EPEC prototype isolate E2348/69 and two EAF plasmid mutants of this isolate demonstrated that the plasmid genes influence the expression of a number of chromosomal genes in addition to the LEE. This suggests that the genetic diversity of the EAF plasmids could contribute to differences in the global virulence regulons of EPEC isolates.
Collapse
|
7
|
Pitondo-Silva A, Nakazato G, Falcão JP, Irino K, Martinez R, Darini ALC, Hernandes RT. Phenotypic and genetic features of enteropathogenic Escherichia coli isolates from diarrheal children in the Ribeirão Preto metropolitan area, São Paulo State, Brazil. APMIS 2014; 123:128-35. [PMID: 25257819 DOI: 10.1111/apm.12314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2014] [Accepted: 07/25/2014] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
This study was designed to characterize a collection of 60 enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) isolates from diarrheic feces of patients in the Ribeirão Preto metropolitan area regarding different phenotypic and molecular features. We examined antibiotic resistance profiles, occurrence of virulence factors-encoding genes, intimin subtypes and the correlation of serotypes among typical (tEPEC) and atypical (aEPEC) EPEC isolates. The results demonstrated that atypical EPEC was more heterogeneous than typical EPEC concerning the characteristics investigated and 45.2% do not belong to classical EPEC serogroups. Intimin subtype β was the most frequent among the EPEC isolates (46.7%), being detected in both tEPEC and aEPEC. The majority of aEPEC isolates presented localized adherence-like (LAL) pattern to HEp-2 cells, although aEPEC isolates displaying diffuse adherence (DA) or non-adherent were also detected. High prevalence of antimicrobial resistance was found for ampicillin, cephalothin, sulfonamide and tetracycline. In general, tEPEC isolates were more resistant to the antimicrobials tested than aEPEC isolates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- André Pitondo-Silva
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Toxicológicas e Bromatológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
Croxen MA, Law RJ, Scholz R, Keeney KM, Wlodarska M, Finlay BB. Recent advances in understanding enteric pathogenic Escherichia coli. Clin Microbiol Rev 2013; 26:822-80. [PMID: 24092857 PMCID: PMC3811233 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00022-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 831] [Impact Index Per Article: 75.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Although Escherichia coli can be an innocuous resident of the gastrointestinal tract, it also has the pathogenic capacity to cause significant diarrheal and extraintestinal diseases. Pathogenic variants of E. coli (pathovars or pathotypes) cause much morbidity and mortality worldwide. Consequently, pathogenic E. coli is widely studied in humans, animals, food, and the environment. While there are many common features that these pathotypes employ to colonize the intestinal mucosa and cause disease, the course, onset, and complications vary significantly. Outbreaks are common in developed and developing countries, and they sometimes have fatal consequences. Many of these pathotypes are a major public health concern as they have low infectious doses and are transmitted through ubiquitous mediums, including food and water. The seriousness of pathogenic E. coli is exemplified by dedicated national and international surveillance programs that monitor and track outbreaks; unfortunately, this surveillance is often lacking in developing countries. While not all pathotypes carry the same public health profile, they all carry an enormous potential to cause disease and continue to present challenges to human health. This comprehensive review highlights recent advances in our understanding of the intestinal pathotypes of E. coli.
Collapse
|
9
|
Scaletsky ICA, Souza TB, Aranda KRS, Okeke IN. Genetic elements associated with antimicrobial resistance in enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) from Brazil. BMC Microbiol 2010; 10:25. [PMID: 20105329 PMCID: PMC2828443 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2180-10-25] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2009] [Accepted: 01/27/2010] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background We recently observed an association of resistance with a certain enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) serotypes and identified a conjugative plasmid, similar to plasmid pED208, that was conserved among archival O111:H2/NM and O119:H2 strains of diverse geographical origin. In this study, we sought to determine the prevalence and distribution of this plasmid among a collection of EPEC isolates from Brazil, as well as to study the susceptibilities of these isolates to antimicrobial agents. Results Resistance was more commonly seen in typical EPEC than atypical strains. The most prevalent resistances were to ampicillin, tetracycline, streptomycin and the sulfonamides. Markers for the EPEC conjugative multiresistance plasmid, were detected in 21 (30%) of typical but only 4 (5%) of atypical strains (p = 0.001, Chi-squared test). This plasmid, previously reported from only O111 and O119 strains was found in O55 and O127 strains and was associated with the presence of class 1 integrons. Conclusion Our data suggest a limited but expanding host range for the EPEC resistance plasmid.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Isabel C A Scaletsky
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Rua Botucatu 862, São Paulo 04023-062, Brazil.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Moura RA, Sircili MP, Leomil L, Matté MH, Trabulsi LR, Elias WP, Irino K, Pestana de Castro AF. Clonal relationship among atypical enteropathogenic Escherichia coli strains isolated from different animal species and humans. Appl Environ Microbiol 2009; 75:7399-408. [PMID: 19801470 PMCID: PMC2786407 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00636-09] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Forty-nine typical and atypical enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) strains belonging to different serotypes and isolated from humans, pets (cats and dogs), farm animals (bovines, sheep, and rabbits), and wild animals (monkeys) were investigated for virulence markers and clonal similarity by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and multilocus sequence typing (MLST). The virulence markers analyzed revealed that atypical EPEC strains isolated from animals have the potential to cause diarrhea in humans. A close clonal relationship between human and animal isolates was found by MLST and PFGE. These results indicate that these animals act as atypical EPEC reservoirs and may represent sources of infection for humans. Since humans also act as a reservoir of atypical EPEC strains, the cycle of mutual infection of atypical EPEC between animals and humans, mainly pets and their owners, cannot be ruled out since the transmission dynamics between the reservoirs are not yet clearly understood.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo A. Moura
- Laboratory of Human and Veterinary Bacteriology, Biomedical Sciences Institute, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil, Laboratory of Bacteriology, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, SP, Brazil, Laboratory of Public Health, Public Health School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil, Adolfo Lutz Institute, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Marcelo P. Sircili
- Laboratory of Human and Veterinary Bacteriology, Biomedical Sciences Institute, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil, Laboratory of Bacteriology, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, SP, Brazil, Laboratory of Public Health, Public Health School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil, Adolfo Lutz Institute, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Luciana Leomil
- Laboratory of Human and Veterinary Bacteriology, Biomedical Sciences Institute, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil, Laboratory of Bacteriology, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, SP, Brazil, Laboratory of Public Health, Public Health School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil, Adolfo Lutz Institute, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Maria Helena Matté
- Laboratory of Human and Veterinary Bacteriology, Biomedical Sciences Institute, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil, Laboratory of Bacteriology, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, SP, Brazil, Laboratory of Public Health, Public Health School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil, Adolfo Lutz Institute, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Luiz R. Trabulsi
- Laboratory of Human and Veterinary Bacteriology, Biomedical Sciences Institute, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil, Laboratory of Bacteriology, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, SP, Brazil, Laboratory of Public Health, Public Health School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil, Adolfo Lutz Institute, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Waldir P. Elias
- Laboratory of Human and Veterinary Bacteriology, Biomedical Sciences Institute, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil, Laboratory of Bacteriology, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, SP, Brazil, Laboratory of Public Health, Public Health School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil, Adolfo Lutz Institute, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Kinue Irino
- Laboratory of Human and Veterinary Bacteriology, Biomedical Sciences Institute, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil, Laboratory of Bacteriology, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, SP, Brazil, Laboratory of Public Health, Public Health School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil, Adolfo Lutz Institute, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Antonio F. Pestana de Castro
- Laboratory of Human and Veterinary Bacteriology, Biomedical Sciences Institute, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil, Laboratory of Bacteriology, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, SP, Brazil, Laboratory of Public Health, Public Health School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil, Adolfo Lutz Institute, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
- Corresponding author. Mailing address: Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Avenida Prof. Lineu Prestes 1374, 05508-900 São Paulo, SP, Brazil. Phone: 5511 3091-7298. Fax: 5511 3091-7354. E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Nara JM, Cianciarullo AM, Culler HF, Bueris V, Horton DSPQ, Menezes MA, Franzolin MR, Elias WP, Piazza RMF. Differentiation of typical and atypical enteropathogenic Escherichia coli using colony immunoblot for detection of bundle-forming pilus expression. J Appl Microbiol 2009; 109:35-43. [PMID: 19968733 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2672.2009.04625.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
AIMS The aim of study was to develop a colony immunoblot assay to differentiate typical from atypical enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) by detection of bundle-forming pilus (BFP) expression. METHODS AND RESULTS Anti-BFP antiserum was raised in rabbits and its reactivity was confirmed by immunoelectron microscopy and by immunoblotting recognizing bundlin, the major pilus repeating subunit. The bacterial isolates tested in the colony immunoblot assay were grown in different media. Proteins from bacterial isolates were transferred to nitrocellulose membrane after treatment with phosphate buffer containing Triton X-100, EDTA and sodium chloride salts. When 24 typical EPEC and 96 isolates including, 72 atypical EPEC, 13 Gram-negative type IV-expressing strains and 11 enterobacteriaceae were cultivated in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium agar containing fetal bovine serum or in blood agar in the presence of CaCl(2) , they showed a positivity of 92 and 83%, and specificity of 96 and 97%, respectively. CONCLUSION The assay enables reliable identification of BFP-expressing isolates and contributes to the differentiation of typical and atypical EPEC. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY The colony immunoblot for BFP detection developed in this study combines the simplicity of an immunoserological assay with the high efficiency of testing a large number of EPEC colonies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J M Nara
- Laboratório de Bacteriologia, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Abe CM, Trabulsi LR, Blanco J, Blanco M, Dahbi G, Blanco JE, Mora A, Franzolin MR, Taddei CR, Martinez MB, Piazza RMF, Elias WP. Virulence features of atypical enteropathogenic Escherichia coli identified by the eae+ EAF-negative stx− genetic profile. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis 2009; 64:357-65. [PMID: 19442475 DOI: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2009.03.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2009] [Revised: 03/09/2009] [Accepted: 03/20/2009] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia M Abe
- Laboratório de Bacteriologia, Instituto Butantan, 055030-900 São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
13
|
Nwaneshiudu AI, Mucci T, Pickard DJ, Okeke IN. A second large plasmid encodes conjugative transfer and antimicrobial resistance in O119:H2 and some typical O111 enteropathogenic Escherichia coli strains. J Bacteriol 2007; 189:6074-9. [PMID: 17573481 PMCID: PMC1952026 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00349-07] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
A novel and functional conjugative transfer system identified in O119:H2 enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) strain MB80 by subtractive hybridization is encoded on a large multidrug resistance plasmid, distinct from the well-described EPEC adherence factor (EAF) plasmid. Variants of the MB80 conjugative resistance plasmid were identified in other EPEC strains, including the prototypical O111:NM strain B171, from which the EAF plasmid has been sequenced. This separate large plasmid and the selective advantage that it confers in the antibiotic era have been overlooked because it comigrates with the virulence plasmid on conventional gels.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adaobi I Nwaneshiudu
- Department of Biology, Haverford College, 370 Lancaster Avenue, Haverford, PA 19041, USA
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
14
|
Lacher DW, Steinsland H, Blank TE, Donnenberg MS, Whittam TS. Molecular evolution of typical enteropathogenic Escherichia coli: clonal analysis by multilocus sequence typing and virulence gene allelic profiling. J Bacteriol 2006; 189:342-50. [PMID: 17098897 PMCID: PMC1797380 DOI: 10.1128/jb.01472-06] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) infections are a leading cause of infantile diarrhea in developing nations. Typical EPEC isolates are differentiated from other types of pathogenic E. coli by two distinctive phenotypes, attaching effacement and localized adherence. The genes specifying these phenotypes are found on the locus of enterocyte effacement (LEE) and the EPEC adherence factor (EAF) plasmid. To describe how typical EPEC has evolved, we characterized a diverse collection of strains by multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and performed restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of three virulence genes (eae, bfpA, and perA) to assess allelic variation. Among 129 strains representing 20 O-serogroups, 21 clonal genotypes were identified using MLST. RFLP analysis resolved nine eae, nine bfpA, and four perA alleles. Each bfpA allele was associated with only one perA allele class, suggesting that recombination has not played a large role in shuffling the bfpA and perA loci between separate EAF plasmids. The distribution of eae alleles among typical EPEC strains is more concordant with the clonal relationships than the distribution of the EAF plasmid types. These results provide further support for the hypothesis that the EPEC pathotype has evolved multiple times within E. coli through separate acquisitions of the LEE island and EAF plasmid.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David W Lacher
- National Food Safety & Toxicology Center, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
15
|
Shao J, Li M, Jia Q, Lu Y, Wang PG. Sequence of Escherichia coli O128 antigen biosynthesis cluster and functional identification of an alpha-1,2-fucosyltransferase. FEBS Lett 2003; 553:99-103. [PMID: 14550554 DOI: 10.1016/s0014-5793(03)00980-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
O128 is one of the most common atypical enteropathogenic Escherichia coli isolated from diarrhea patients worldwide. The primary structure of E. coli O128 repeat units has previously been determined as -->3)-beta-D-GalNAc-(1-->4)-alpha-D-Gal-(1-->3)-beta-D-GalNAc-(1-->6)-[alpha-L-Fuc-(1-->2)]-beta-D-Gal-(1--> pentasaccharide. Here we report the complete sequencing of E. coli O128 antigen biosynthesis gene cluster and its flanking regions. Comparative sequence analysis revealed the expected O128 antigen process genes, GDP-fucose biosynthesis genes and four potential glycosyltransferase genes responsible for the assembly of E. coli O128 antigen repeats. WbsJ was shown to encode an alpha-1,2-fucosyltransferase by enzymatic assays and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy analysis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jun Shao
- Department of Chemistry, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
16
|
Yatsuyanagi J, Saito S, Miyajima Y, Amano KI, Enomoto K. Characterization of atypical enteropathogenic Escherichia coli strains harboring the astA gene that were associated with a waterborne outbreak of diarrhea in Japan. J Clin Microbiol 2003; 41:2033-9. [PMID: 12734245 PMCID: PMC154716 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.41.5.2033-2039.2003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2002] [Revised: 01/01/2003] [Accepted: 01/27/2003] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The virulence traits of the Escherichia coli strain associated with a waterborne diarrhea outbreak were examined. Forty-one of 75 students (ages 12 to 15) in Akita Prefecture, Japan, showed clinical symptoms. Seven E. coli Ouk:K-:H45 isolates were isolated from the patients as the causative agent of this outbreak. One isolate (EC-3605) showed the presence of E. coli attaching-and-effacing (eaeA) and enteroaggregative E. coli heat-stable enterotoxin-1 (astA) genes and the absence of Shiga toxin (stx1 and stx2) genes. A polymorphic enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) adherence factor plasmid was detected in EC-3605 with a major structural gene deletion and a regulatory gene frameshift mutation, revealing that EC-3605 represents an atypical EPEC strain harboring the astA gene. The role that atypical EPEC strains harboring the astA gene play in human disease is unclear. Our results, along with those of others, present a possibility that these strains comprise a distinct category of diarrheagenic E. coli and that astA affects the age distribution of atypical-EPEC infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jun Yatsuyanagi
- Akita Prefectural Institute of Public Health, 6-6 Sensyu Kubota-Machi, Akita 010-0874, Japan.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
17
|
Stocki SL, Babiuk LA, Rawlyk NA, Potter AA, Allan BJ. Identification of genomic differences between Escherichia coli strains pathogenic for poultry and E. coli K-12 MG1655 using suppression subtractive hybridization analysis. Microb Pathog 2002; 33:289-98. [PMID: 12495675 DOI: 10.1006/mpat.2002.0536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Diseases of poultry caused by Escherichia coli result in significant economic loss every year. Specific virulence factors associated with E. coli strains pathogenic for poultry have been identified, but it is likely that others remain to be identified. To identify unique DNA fragments associated with avian strains we used suppression subtractive hybridization. The genome of E. coli K-12 strain MG1655 was subtracted from the genomes of two avian E. coli strains resulting in the identification of 62 fragments specific to the two avian strains. Sequence homology analysis was done and four types of fragments were identified: plasmid sequences, phage sequences, sequences with known function and sequences without any currently known function. Two E. coli collections, a reference collection of diverse strains (ECOR) and a collection of 41 avian isolates, were screened for the presence of 25 of the 62 fragments. We identified nine fragments present in significantly more of the avian strains than of the ECOR strains. Five fragments were in significantly more of the ECOR strains than the avian strains. These results suggested that the nine fragments could play a role in the pathogenesis of E. coli as it relates to diseases of poultry.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stacy L Stocki
- Veterinary Infectious Disease Organization, 120 Veterinary Road, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7N 5E3, Canada
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
18
|
Gismero-Ordoñez J, Dall'Agnol M, Trabulsi LR, Girón JA. Expression of the bundle-forming pilus by enteropathogenic Escherichia coli strains of heterologous serotypes. J Clin Microbiol 2002; 40:2291-6. [PMID: 12037114 PMCID: PMC130815 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.40.6.2291-2296.2002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2001] [Revised: 01/27/2002] [Accepted: 03/01/2002] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The production of the bundle-forming pilus subunit BfpA was investigated in 44 enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) diarrheal isolates after growth on several conventional bacteriological media. In all, the use of brucella agar supplemented with 4.5 mM sodium bisulfite resulted in a higher detection of BfpA-producing EPEC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Juana Gismero-Ordoñez
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Universidade de São Paulo, and Instituto Butantã, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
19
|
Abstract
Typical and atypical enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) strains differ in several characteristics. Typical EPEC, a leading cause of infantile diarrhea in developing countries, is rare in industrialized countries, where atypical EPEC seems to be a more important cause of diarrhea. For typical EPEC, the only reservoir is humans; for atypical EPEC, both animals and humans can be reservoirs. Typical and atypical EPEC also differ in genetic characteristics, serotypes, and virulence properties. Atypical EPEC is more closely related to Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), and like STEC these strains appear to be emerging pathogens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luiz R Trabulsi
- Laboratório Especial de Microbiologia, prédio novo, 2nd andar, Instituto Butantan, Av. Vital Brasil, 1500 São Paulo, Brazil, CEP:05503-900.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
20
|
Okeke IN, Borneman JA, Shin S, Mellies JL, Quinn LE, Kaper JB. Comparative sequence analysis of the plasmid-encoded regulator of enteropathogenic Escherichia coli Strains. Infect Immun 2001; 69:5553-64. [PMID: 11500429 PMCID: PMC98669 DOI: 10.1128/iai.69.9.5553-5564.2001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) strains that carry the EPEC adherence factor (EAF) plasmid were screened for the presence of different EAF sequences, including those of the plasmid-encoded regulator (per). Considerable variation in gene content of EAF plasmids from different strains was seen. However, bfpA, the gene encoding the structural subunit for the bundle-forming pilus, bundlin, and per genes were found in 96.8% of strains. Sequence analysis of the per operon and its promoter region from 15 representative strains revealed that it is highly conserved. Most of the variation occurs in the 5' two-thirds of the perA gene. In contrast, the C-terminal portion of the predicted PerA protein that contains the DNA-binding helix-turn-helix motif is 100% conserved in all strains that possess a full-length gene. In a minority of strains including the O119:H2 and canine isolates and in a subset of O128:H2 and O142:H6 strains, frameshift mutations in perA leading to premature truncation and consequent inactivation of the gene were identified. Cloned perA, -B, and -C genes from these strains, unlike those from strains with a functional operon, failed to activate the LEE1 operon and bfpA transcriptional fusions or to complement a per mutant in reference strain E2348/69. Furthermore, O119, O128, and canine strains that carry inactive per operons were deficient in virulence protein expression. The context in which the perABC operon occurs on the EAF plasmid varies. The sequence upstream of the per promoter region in EPEC reference strains E2348/69 and B171-8 was present in strains belonging to most serogroups. In a subset of O119:H2, O128:H2, and O142:H6 strains and in the canine isolate, this sequence was replaced by an IS1294-homologous sequence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- I N Okeke
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology and Center for Vaccine Development, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
21
|
Blank TE, Zhong H, Bell AL, Whittam TS, Donnenberg MS. Molecular variation among type IV pilin (bfpA) genes from diverse enteropathogenic Escherichia coli strains. Infect Immun 2000; 68:7028-38. [PMID: 11083828 PMCID: PMC97813 DOI: 10.1128/iai.68.12.7028-7038.2000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Typical enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) strains produce bundle-forming pili (BFP), type IVB fimbriae that have been implicated in EPEC virulence, antigenicity, autoaggregation, and localized adherence to epithelial cells (LA). BFP are polymers of bundlin, a pilin protein that is encoded by the bfpA gene found on a large EPEC plasmid. Striking sequence variation has previously been observed among type IV pilin genes of other gram-negative bacterial pathogens (e.g., Pseudomonas and Neisseria spp.). In contrast, the established sequences of bfpA genes from two distantly related prototype EPEC strains vary by only a single base pair. To determine whether bundlin sequences vary more extensively, we used PCR to amplify the bfpA genes from 19 EPEC strains chosen for their various serotypes and sites and years of isolation. Eight different bfpA alleles were identified by sequencing of the PCR products. These alleles can be classified into two major groups. The alpha group contains three alleles derived from strains carrying O55, O86, O111, O119, O127, or O128 somatic antigens. The beta group contains five alleles derived from strains carrying O55, O110, O128ab, O142, or nontypeable antigens. Sequence comparisons show that bundlin has highly conserved and variable regions, with most of the variation occurring in the C-terminal two-thirds of the protein. The results of multilocus enzyme electrophoresis support the hypothesis that bfpA sequences have spread horizontally across distantly related clonal lineages. Strains with divergent bundlin sequences express bundlin protein, produce BFP, and carry out autoaggregation and LA. However, four strains lack most or all of these phenotypes despite having an intact bfpA gene. These results have important implications for our understanding of bundlin structure, transmission of the bfp gene cluster among EPEC strains, and the role of bundlin variation in the evasion of host immune system responses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- T E Blank
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, USA
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
22
|
Dozois CM, Dho-Moulin M, Brée A, Fairbrother JM, Desautels C, Curtiss R. Relationship between the Tsh autotransporter and pathogenicity of avian Escherichia coli and localization and analysis of the Tsh genetic region. Infect Immun 2000; 68:4145-54. [PMID: 10858231 PMCID: PMC101714 DOI: 10.1128/iai.68.7.4145-4154.2000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 188] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The temperature-sensitive hemagglutinin Tsh is a member of the autotransporter group of proteins and was first identified in avian-pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) strain chi7122. The prevalence of tsh was investigated in 300 E. coli isolates of avian origin and characterized for virulence in a 1-day-old chick lethality test. Results indicate that among the tsh-positive APEC isolates, 90.6% belonged to the highest virulence class. Experimental inoculation of chickens with chi7122 and an isogenic tsh mutant demonstrated that Tsh may contribute to the development of lesions within the air sacs of birds but is not required for subsequent generalized infection manifesting as perihepatitis, pericarditis, and septicemia. Conjugation and hybridization experiments revealed that the tsh gene is located on a ColV-type plasmid in many of the APEC strains studied, including strain chi7122, near the colicin V genes in most of these strains. DNA sequences flanking the tsh gene of strain chi7122 include complete and partial insertion sequences and phage-related DNA sequences, some of which were also found on virulence plasmids and pathogenicity islands present in various E. coli pathotypes and other pathogenic members of the Enterobacteriaceae. These results demonstrate that the tsh gene is frequently located on the ColV virulence plasmid in APEC and suggest a possible role of Tsh in the pathogenicity of E. coli for chickens in the early stages of infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- C M Dozois
- Department of Biology, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|