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Characterization of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli from diarrhoeic patients with particular reference to production of Shiga-like toxin. Microb Pathog 2022; 166:105538. [DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2022.105538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Revised: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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2
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Shahbazi G, Rezaee MA, Nikkhahi F, Ebrahimzadeh S, Hemmati F, Namarvar BB, Gholizadeh P. Characteristics of diarrheagenic Escherichia coli pathotypes among children under the age of 10 years with acute diarrhea. GENE REPORTS 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.genrep.2021.101318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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3
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Atypical Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli: from Kittens to Humans and Beyond! Infect Immun 2021; 89:IAI.00752-20. [PMID: 33361199 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00752-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Atypical enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (aEPEC) are associated with diarrhea worldwide, yet genome-wide investigations to probe their virulome are lacking. In this issue of Infection and Immunity, V. E. Watson, T. H. Hazen, D. A. Rasko, M. E. Jacob, et al. (IAI 89:e00619-20, 2020, https://doi.org/10.1128/IAI.00619-20) sequenced aEPEC isolates from diarrheic and asymptomatic kittens. Using phylogenomics, they demonstrated that these isolates were genetically indistinguishable from human isolates, suggesting that kittens may serve as a reservoir and, perhaps, a much-needed model to interrogate aEPEC virulence. The diarrheic isolates were hypermotile, suggesting that this phenotype may distinguish virulent strains from their innocuous counterparts.
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Ledwaba SE, Costa DVS, Bolick DT, Giallourou N, Medeiros PHQS, Swann JR, Traore AN, Potgieter N, Nataro JP, Guerrant RL. Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli Infection Induces Diarrhea, Intestinal Damage, Metabolic Alterations, and Increased Intestinal Permeability in a Murine Model. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2020; 10:595266. [PMID: 33392105 PMCID: PMC7773950 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.595266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) are recognized as one of the leading bacterial causes of infantile diarrhea worldwide. Weaned C57BL/6 mice pretreated with antibiotics were challenged orally with wild-type EPEC or escN mutant (lacking type 3 secretion system) to determine colonization, inflammatory responses and clinical outcomes during infection. Antibiotic disruption of intestinal microbiota enabled efficient colonization by wild-type EPEC resulting in growth impairment and diarrhea. Increase in inflammatory biomarkers, chemokines, cellular recruitment and pro-inflammatory cytokines were observed in intestinal tissues. Metabolomic changes were also observed in EPEC infected mice with changes in tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle intermediates, increased creatine excretion and shifts in gut microbial metabolite levels. In addition, by 7 days after infection, although weights were recovering, EPEC-infected mice had increased intestinal permeability and decreased colonic claudin-1 levels. The escN mutant colonized the mice with no weight loss or increased inflammatory biomarkers, showing the importance of the T3SS in EPEC virulence in this model. In conclusion, a murine infection model treated with antibiotics has been developed to mimic clinical outcomes seen in children with EPEC infection and to examine potential roles of selected virulence traits. This model can help in further understanding mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of EPEC infections and potential outcomes and thus assist in the development of potential preventive or therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Solanka E. Ledwaba
- Department of Microbiology, University of Venda, Thohoyandou, South Africa
| | - Deiziane V. S. Costa
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Brazil
| | - David T. Bolick
- Center for Global Health, Division of Infectious Disease and International Health, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Natasa Giallourou
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College, London, England
| | | | - Jonathan R. Swann
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College, London, England
| | - Afsatou N. Traore
- Department of Microbiology, University of Venda, Thohoyandou, South Africa
| | - Natasha Potgieter
- Department of Microbiology, University of Venda, Thohoyandou, South Africa
| | - James P. Nataro
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Richard L. Guerrant
- Center for Global Health, Division of Infectious Disease and International Health, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, United States
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Garrine M, Matambisso G, Nobela N, Vubil D, Massora S, Acácio S, Nhampossa T, Alonso P, Mandomando I. Low frequency of enterohemorrhagic, enteroinvasive and diffusely adherent Escherichia coli in children under 5 years in rural Mozambique: a case-control study. BMC Infect Dis 2020; 20:659. [PMID: 32894092 PMCID: PMC7475947 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-020-05380-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli (DEC) are among the leading pathogens associated with endemic diarrhea in low income countries. Yet, few epidemiological studies have focused the contribution of enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC), enteroinvasive E. coli (EIEC) and diffusely adherent E. coli (DAEC). Methods We assessed the contribution of EHEC, EIEC and DAEC isolated from stool samples from a case-control study conducted in children aged < 5 years in Southern Mozambique between December 2007 and November 2012. The isolates were screened by conventional PCR targeting stx1 and stx2 (EHEC), ial and ipaH (EIEC), and daaE (DAEC) genes. Results We analyzed 297 samples from cases with less-severe diarrhea (LSD) matched to 297 controls, and 89 samples from cases with moderate-to-severe diarrhea (MSD) matched to 222 controls, collected between November 3, 2011 and November 2, 2012. DEC were more common among LSD cases (2.7%, [8/297] of cases vs. 1.3% [4/297] of controls; p = 0.243]) than in MSD cases (0%, [0/89] of cases vs. 0.4%, [1/222] of controls; p = 1.000). Detailed analysis revealed low frequency of EHEC, DAEC or EIEC and no association with diarrhea in all age strata. Although the low frequency, EIEC was predominant in LSD cases aged 24–59 months (4.1% for cases vs. 0% for controls), followed by DAEC in similar frequency for cases and controls in infants (1.9%) and lastly EHEC from one control. Analysis of a subset of samples from previous period (December 10, 2007 and October 31, 2011) showed high frequency of DEC in controls compared to MSD cases (16.2%, [25/154] vs. 11.9%, [14/118], p = 0.383, respectively). Among these, DAEC predominated, being detected in 7.7% of cases vs. 17.6% of controls aged 24–59 months, followed by EIEC in 7.7% of cases vs. 5.9% of controls for the same age category, although no association was observed. EHEC was detected in one sample from cases and two from controls. Conclusions Our data suggests that although EHEC, DAEC and EIEC are less frequent in endemic diarrhea in rural Mozambique, attention should be given to their transmission dynamics (e.g. the role on sporadic or epidemic diarrhea) considering that the role of asymptomatic individuals as source of dissemination remains unknown.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcelino Garrine
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça (CISM), Maputo, Mozambique.,Global Health and Tropical Medicine (GHTM), Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical (IHMT), Universidade Nova de Lisboa (UNL), Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Glória Matambisso
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça (CISM), Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Nélio Nobela
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça (CISM), Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Delfino Vubil
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça (CISM), Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Sérgio Massora
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça (CISM), Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Sozinho Acácio
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça (CISM), Maputo, Mozambique.,Instituto Nacional de Saúde (INS), Ministério da Saúde, Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Tacilta Nhampossa
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça (CISM), Maputo, Mozambique.,Instituto Nacional de Saúde (INS), Ministério da Saúde, Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Pedro Alonso
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça (CISM), Maputo, Mozambique.,ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic-Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Inácio Mandomando
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça (CISM), Maputo, Mozambique. .,Instituto Nacional de Saúde (INS), Ministério da Saúde, Maputo, Mozambique.
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Silva SS, Monfardini MV, Scaletsky ICA. Large plasmids encoding antibiotic resistance and localized-like adherence in atypical enteropathogenic Escherichia coli strains. BMC Microbiol 2020; 20:138. [PMID: 32471348 PMCID: PMC7257209 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-020-01809-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Accepted: 04/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In previous studies, we have shown that atypical enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (aEPEC) strains are important diarrheal pathogens among Brazilian children. In the characterization of a collection of 126 aEPEC strains, we identified 29 strains expressing the localized-like adherence (LAL) pattern on HEp-2 cells and harboring large plasmids in the range of 60 to 98 MDa. In this study, we examined 18 of these strains for their ability to transfer the LAL phenotype to a E. coli K-12 C600 strain. Results In conjugation experiments, using eight strains which were resistant to one or more antimicrobials and positive for F-pili genes (traA), we were able to cotransfer antimicrobial resistance markers along with adhesion genes. By transforming E. coli DH5α with plasmid DNA from strains A46 (pIS46), A66 (pIS66) and A102 (pIS102), we were able to demonstrate that genes encoding ampicillin, tetracycline and LAL were encoded on a 98-MDa conjugative plasmid. To identify a gene responsible for LAL, we constructed a transposon mutant library of A102 strain. Among 18 mutants that did not adhere to HeLa cells, four carried insertions within fimbrial genes (fimA and traJ) and agglutinin genes (tia and hek). Using these Tn5 mutants as donors, we were able to obtain kanamycin-resistant E. coli MA3456 transconjugants. Sequence analysis of the plasmid genes revealed a region exhibit to 80 and 73% amino acid similarities to the agglutinins Tia and Hek, respectively. Conclusion In this study, we have identified three large conjugative plasmids, pIS46, pIS66 and pIS102, coding for antimicrobial resistance and localized-like adherence (LAL) to HeLa cells. In addition, we identified a tia/hek homolog encoded on the pIS102 plasmid, which seems to be involved in adhesion of A102 strain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scarlat S Silva
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Rua Botucatu, 862, 3 andar, São Paulo, 04023-062, Brazil
| | - Mariane V Monfardini
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Rua Botucatu, 862, 3 andar, São Paulo, 04023-062, Brazil
| | - Isabel C A Scaletsky
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Rua Botucatu, 862, 3 andar, São Paulo, 04023-062, Brazil.
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Identification and characterization of atypical enteropathogenic and Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli isolated from ground beef and poultry breast purchased in Botucatu, Brazil. Braz J Microbiol 2019; 50:1099-1103. [PMID: 31187444 DOI: 10.1007/s42770-019-00101-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2019] [Accepted: 05/30/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Atypical enteropathogenic (serotypes O4:H16, O8:H25, O68:H2, O105:H7, and OR:H25) and Shigatoxigenic (ONT:H46) Escherichia coli were isolated from samples of ground beef and poultry breast purchased in Botucatu, Brazil. Phenotypic and molecular characterization indicated the potential of these isolates to adhere to host epithelial cells and cause damage.
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Vieira MA, Dias RCB, Dos Santos LF, Rall VLM, Gomes TAT, Hernandes RT. Diversity of strategies used by atypical enteropathogenic Escherichia coli to induce attaching and effacing lesion in epithelial cells. J Med Microbiol 2019; 68:940-951. [PMID: 31107199 DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.000998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE This study aimed to characterize 82 atypical enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (aEPEC) isolates, obtained from patients with diarrhea in Brazil, regarding their adherence patterns on HeLa cells and attaching and effacing (AE) lesion pathways. METHODOLOGY The adherence and fluorescence-actin staining (FAS) assays were performed using HeLa cells. AE lesion pathways were determined through the detection of tyrosine residue 474 (Y474) phosphorylation in the Tir protein, after its translocation to host cells, and by PCR assays for tir genotyping and detection of Tir-cytoskeleton coupling protein (tccP) genes. RESULTS Regarding the adherence pattern, determined in the presence of d-mannose, 12 isolates (14.6 %) showed the localized adherence (LA)-like pattern, 3 (3.7 %) the aggregative adherence pattern and 4 (4.9 %) a hybrid LA/diffuse adherence pattern. In addition, 36 (43.9 %) isolates displayed an undefined adherence, and 26 (31.7 %) were non-adherent (NA), while one (1.2 %) caused cell detachment. Among the 26 NA aEPEC isolates, 11 showed a type 1 pilus-dependent adherence in assays performed without d-mannose, while 15 remained NA. Forty-eight (58.5 %) aEPEC were able to trigger F-actin accumulation underneath adherent bacteria (FAS-positive), which is an important feature of AE lesions. The majority (58.3 %) of these used the Tir-Nck pathway, while 39.6 % may use both Tir-Nck and Tir-TccP pathways to induce AE lesions. CONCLUSION Our results reveal the diversity of strategies used by aEPEC isolates to interact with and damage epithelial host cells, thereby causing diarrheal diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa A Vieira
- 1 Departamento de Microbiologia e Imunologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho" (UNESP), Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - Regiane C B Dias
- 1 Departamento de Microbiologia e Imunologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho" (UNESP), Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - Luís F Dos Santos
- 2 Centro de Bacteriologia, Instituto Adolfo Lutz (IAL), São Paulo SP, Brazil
| | - Vera L M Rall
- 1 Departamento de Microbiologia e Imunologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho" (UNESP), Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - Tânia A T Gomes
- 3 Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo SP, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo T Hernandes
- 1 Departamento de Microbiologia e Imunologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho" (UNESP), Botucatu, SP, Brazil
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9
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An improved plasmid size standard, 39R861+. Plasmid 2019; 102:6-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.plasmid.2019.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2018] [Revised: 01/22/2019] [Accepted: 01/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Wang L, Fu L, Liu Z, Guo H, Wang L, Feng M, He Y, Chen Q, Hu J. Comparative Analysis of Antimicrobial Resistance, Integrons, and Virulence Genes Among Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase-Positive Laribacter hongkongensis from Edible Frogs and Freshwater Fish. Microb Drug Resist 2019; 25:855-864. [PMID: 30767721 DOI: 10.1089/mdr.2018.0366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Aquatic animals are now recognized to be major hosts of potentially pathogenic Laribacter hongkongensis. A comparative study was carried out among extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing L. hongkongensis isolated from frogs (47 isolates) and fish (41 isolates) to examine phenotypic and genotypic antimicrobial resistance profiles, integrons, virulence factors, and genetic relatedness. Isolates from frogs showed a higher incidence of antibiotic resistance compared with those from fish for most of the antimicrobials tested, especially trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, tetracycline, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, and streptomycin. Multidrug-resistant strains were also found more frequently among frog isolates (5.44 traits on average) than among fish isolates (3.29 traits). In frog isolates, class 1 integrons and the resistance genes sul1, sul2, tetA, tetR, and aac(6')-Ib-cr showed a clearly higher incidence compared with isolates from fish. In contrast, blaTEM-1 was higher in fish isolates than in frog isolates. Correlation analysis showed that sul1, sul2, tetA, and tetR were significantly associated with class 1 integrons in frog isolates. The correlations indicated a potential co-selection risk of bacterial resistance to antibiotics. In addition, the distribution of three virulence-associated determinants for the type IV bundle-forming pili gene (bfpA), ferric aerobactin receptor gene (iucD), and iron-responsive element gene (ireA) was markedly higher in strains isolated from frogs than in those isolated from fish. No obvious genetic relatedness was observed between both populations. The large differences found in the incidence of antibiotic resistance, integrons along with the multiple resistance genes, virulence factors, and genetic fingerprints determined by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis suggest a high degree of antibiotic resistance and pathogenicity potential of ESBL-producing L. hongkongensis from isolates found in frogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Wang
- 1 Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Leiwen Fu
- 1 Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhihua Liu
- 2 Department of Infectious Disease, Nanfang Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Huijie Guo
- 1 Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Li Wang
- 3 Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Longgang, Shenzhen, China
| | - Mei Feng
- 4 Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Shunde, Foshan, China
| | - Yaqing He
- 5 Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
| | - Qing Chen
- 1 Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jing Hu
- 1 Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,6 Department of Nosocomial Infection Administration, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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Platenkamp A, Mellies JL. Environment Controls LEE Regulation in Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:1694. [PMID: 30140259 PMCID: PMC6094958 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.01694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2018] [Accepted: 07/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) is a significant cause of infant morbidity and mortality in developing regions of the world. Horizontally acquired genetic elements encode virulence structures, effectors, and regulators that promote bacterial colonization and disease. One such genetic element, the locus of enterocyte effacement (LEE), encodes the type three secretion system (T3SS) which acts as a bridge between bacterial and host cells to pass effector molecules that exert changes on the host. Due to its importance in EPEC virulence, regulation of the LEE has been of high priority and its investigation has elucidated many virulence regulators, including master regulator of the LEE Ler, H-NS, other nucleoid-associated proteins, GrlA, and PerC. Media type, environmental signals, sRNA signaling, metabolic processes, and stress responses have profound, strain-specific effects on regulators and LEE expression, and thus T3SS formation. Here we review virulence gene regulation in EPEC, which includes approaches for lessening disease by exploiting the elucidated regulatory pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Platenkamp
- Department of Biology, Reed College, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Jay L Mellies
- Department of Biology, Reed College, Portland, OR, United States
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Munhoz DD, Nara JM, Freitas NC, Moraes CTP, Nunes KO, Yamamoto BB, Vasconcellos FM, Martínez-Laguna Y, Girón JA, Martins FH, Abe CM, Elias WP, Piazza RMF. Distribution of Major Pilin Subunit Genes Among Atypical Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli and Influence of Growth Media on Expression of the ecp Operon. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:942. [PMID: 29867850 PMCID: PMC5962669 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.00942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2017] [Accepted: 04/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Atypical enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (aEPEC) strains are unable to produce the bundle-forming pilus (BFP), which is responsible for the localized adherence pattern, a characteristic of the pathogenicity of typical EPEC strains. The lack of BFP in aEPEC strains suggests that other fimbrial or non-fimbrial adhesins are involved in their adhesion to the host cells. The aim of this study was to investigate the distribution of major subunit fimbrial genes known to be important adherence factors produced by several E. coli pathotypes in a collection of 72 aEPEC strains. Our results demonstrate that a high percentage (94–100%) of aEPEC strains harbored ecpA, fimA, hcpA, and lpfA fimbrial genes. Other fimbrial genes including pilS, pilV, sfpA, daaC, papA, and sfa were detected at lower frequencies (1–8%). Genes encoding fimbrial subunits, which are characteristic of enteroaggregative E. coli or enterotoxigenic E. coli were not found. No correlation was found between fimbrial gene profiles and adherence phenotypes. Since all aEPEC strains contained ecpA, the major pilin gene of the E. coli common pilus (ECP), a subset of ecpA+ strains was analyzed for transcription of ecpRABCDE and production of ECP upon growth in three different culture conditions at 37°C. Transcription of ecpRABCDE occurred in all conditions; however, ECP production was medium dependent. In all, the data suggest that aEPEC strains are highly heterogeneous in terms of their fimbrial gene profiles. Despite lacking BFP production, other mechanisms of cell adherence exist in aEPEC strains to ensure host colonization, e.g., mediated by other prevalent pili such as ECP. Moreover, the production of ECP by aEPEC strains might be influenced by yet unknown post-transcriptional factors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Júlia M Nara
- Laboratório de Bacteriologia, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | - Kamila O Nunes
- Laboratório de Bacteriologia, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Bruno B Yamamoto
- Laboratório de Bacteriologia, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | - Jorge A Girón
- Centro de Detección Biomolecular, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Puebla, Mexico
| | | | - Cecilia M Abe
- Laboratório de Bacteriologia, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Waldir P Elias
- Laboratório de Bacteriologia, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil
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Spano LC, da Cunha KF, Monfardini MV, de Cássia Bergamaschi Fonseca R, Scaletsky ICA. High prevalence of diarrheagenic Escherichia coli carrying toxin-encoding genes isolated from children and adults in southeastern Brazil. BMC Infect Dis 2017; 17:773. [PMID: 29254489 PMCID: PMC5735577 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-017-2872-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2017] [Accepted: 11/30/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli (DEC) are important bacterial causes of childhood diarrhea in Brazil, but its impact in adults is unknown. This study aimed at investigating DEC among children and adults living in endemic areas. Methods A total of 327 stools specimens were collected from children (n = 141) and adults (n = 186) with diarrhea attending health centers. Diarrheagenic E. coli (DEC) were identified by their virulence genes (multiplex polymerase chain reaction) and HEp-2 cell adherence patterns. Results DEC were detected in 56 (40%) children and 74 (39%) adults; enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC) (23%) was the most prevalent pathotype, followed by diffusely adherent E. coli (DAEC) (13%), and occurred at similar frequencies in both diarrheal groups. Atypical enteropathogenic E. coli (aEPEC) strains were recovered more frequently from children (6%) than from adults (1%). Twenty-six percent of the EAEC were classified as typical EAEC possessing aggR gene, and carried the aap gene. EAEC strains carrying aggR-aap-aatA genes were significantly more frequent among children than adults (p < 0.05). DAEC strains possessing Afa/Dr. genes were detected from children (10%) and adults (6%). EAEC and DAEC strains harboring genes for the EAST1 (astA), Pet, Pic, and Sat toxins were common in both diarrheal groups. The astA and the porcine AE/associated adhesin (paa) genes were found in most of aEPEC strains. High levels of resistance to antimicrobial drugs were found among DAEC and aEPEC isolates. Conclusion The results show a high proportion of EAEC and DAEC carrying toxin-encoding genes among adults with diarrhea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liliana Cruz Spano
- Departamento de Patologia, Laboratório de Virologia e Gastrenterite Infecciosa, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Av. Marechal Campos 1468, 29043-900, Maruípe, Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brazil.
| | - Keyla Fonseca da Cunha
- Núcleo de Doenças Infecciosas, Departamento de Medicina Social, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brazil
| | - Mariane Vedovatti Monfardini
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brazil
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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: 244] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.5] [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.
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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
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de Souza CS, Torres AG, Caravelli A, Silva A, Polatto JM, Piazza RMF. Characterization of the universal stress protein F from atypical enteropathogenic Escherichia coli and its prevalence in Enterobacteriaceae. Protein Sci 2016; 25:2142-2151. [PMID: 27616205 PMCID: PMC5119564 DOI: 10.1002/pro.3038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2016] [Revised: 07/25/2016] [Accepted: 09/06/2016] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Atypical enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (aEPEC) are heterogeneous strains in terms of serotypes, adherence patterns and the presence of novel virulence factors. This heterogeneity is intriguing, promoting studies trying to characterize these novel proteins and to better comprehend this pathotype group. In a previous study analyzing low-molecular mass proteomes of four representative aEPEC strains of three different adhesion phenotypes, we classified proteins according to their annotated function, with most of them being involved in metabolism and transport; while some of them were classified as hypothetical proteins. The majority of the hypothetical proteins were homologue products of genes identified in the genome of enterohemorrhagic E. coli. One of the hypothetical proteins was annotated as Z2335, with orthologue in EPEC, and by bioinformatics analysis, this protein was revealed to be the universal stress protein F (UspF). Thus, herein we successfully obtained a recombinant UspF protein from aEPEC, which is a α/β, ATP-binding protein involved in stress response, with comparable protein production among the four studied strains, but showing noteworthy differences when cultivated in different stress conditions, also present in other enterobacterial species, such as Shigella sonnei and Citrobacter freundii. Furthermore, our results confirm that the Usp protein superfamily encompasses a conserved group of proteins involved in stress resistance in aEPEC and other Enterobacteriaceae.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alfredo G Torres
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas
| | | | - Anderson Silva
- Laboratório de Bacteriologia, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Juliana M Polatto
- Laboratório de Bacteriologia, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Roxane M F Piazza
- Laboratório de Bacteriologia, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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16
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Characterization of Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli Associated with Diarrhea Among Iranian Infants. ARCHIVES OF PEDIATRIC INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2016. [DOI: 10.5812/pedinfect.36920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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17
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Xu Y, Bai X, Zhao A, Zhang W, Ba P, Liu K, Jin Y, Wang H, Guo Q, Sun H, Xu J, Xiong Y. Genetic Diversity of Intimin Gene of Atypical Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli Isolated from Human, Animals and Raw Meats in China. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0152571. [PMID: 27031337 PMCID: PMC4816571 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0152571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2015] [Accepted: 03/16/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Atypical enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (aEPEC) is considered to be an emerging enteropathogen that is more prevalent than typical EPEC in developing and developed countries. The major adherence factor, intimin, an outer membrane protein encoded by eae, plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of aEPEC. This study investigated the distribution and polymorphisms of intimin subtypes of 143 aEPEC strains from diarrheal patients, healthy carriers, animals, and raw meats in China. These aEPEC strains belonged to more than 71 different serotypes, which comprised 52 O serogroups and 24 H types. Sixty-eight different eae genotypes and 19 intimin subtypes were detected. Eighteen, eight, seven, and five intimin subtypes were identified from 86 diarrheal patients, 14 healthy carriers, 19 animals, and 24 raw meats strains, respectively. Intimin β1 was the most prevalent subtype in strains from diarrheal patients (34.88%) and animals (47.37%). There was a statistically significant difference in the distribution of eae-β1 between diarrheal patients and healthy carriers (P = 0.004). Intimin-θ was more predominant among raw meat strains (50%) than among diarrheal patients strains (12.79%, P = 0.0003), healthy carrier strains (7.14%, P = 0.007), or animal strains (15.79%, P = 0.020). The two predominant subtypes (eae-β1 and eae-θ) had considerable polymorphisms with no significant differences among the four sources. PFGE analysis revealed 119 distinct patterns and the strains were clustered into 11 groups with similarity indices ranging from 63% to 100%. These results suggest that in China, aEPEC strains from different sources are highly heterogeneous. Animals and raw meats are important sources of genetically diverse intimin-harboring aEPEC, which might serve as important transmission vehicles of these bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanmei Xu
- State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Xiangning Bai
- State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Ailan Zhao
- State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Wang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Pengbin Ba
- State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Kai Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Yujuan Jin
- Longgang Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Hong Wang
- Zigong Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Zigong, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Qiusheng Guo
- Suixian Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shangqiu, Henan Province, China
| | - Hui Sun
- State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Jianguo Xu
- State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Yanwen Xiong
- State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
- * E-mail:
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Abreu AG, Abe CM, Nunes KO, Moraes CTP, Chavez-Dueñas L, Navarro-Garcia F, Barbosa AS, Piazza RMF, Elias WP. The serine protease Pic as a virulence factor of atypical enteropathogenic Escherichia coli. Gut Microbes 2016; 7:115-25. [PMID: 26963626 PMCID: PMC4856457 DOI: 10.1080/19490976.2015.1136775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Autotransporter proteins (AT) are associated with bacterial virulence attributes. Originally identified in enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC), Shigella flexneri 2a and uropathogenic E. coli, the serine protease Pic is one of these AT. We have previously detected one atypical enteropathogenic E. coli strain (BA589) carrying the pic gene. In the present study, we characterized the biological activities of Pic produced by BA589 both in vitro and in vivo. Contrarily to other Pic-producers bacteria, pic in BA589 is located on a high molecular weight plasmid. PicBA589 was able to agglutinate rabbit erythrocytes, cleave mucin and degrade complement system molecules. BA589 was able to colonize mice intestines, and an intense mucus production was observed. The BA589Δpic mutant lost the capacity to colonize as well as the above-mentioned in vitro activities. Thus, Pic represents an additional virulence factor in aEPEC strain BA589, associated with adherence, colonization and evasion from the innate immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Afonso G. Abreu
- Laboratory of Bacteriology, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís, Brazil
| | - Cecilia M. Abe
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Kamila O. Nunes
- Laboratory of Bacteriology, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Lucia Chavez-Dueñas
- Department of Cell Biology, Centro de Investigación y Estudios Avanzados del IPN (CINVESTAV), Mexico DF, Mexico
| | - Fernando Navarro-Garcia
- Department of Cell Biology, Centro de Investigación y Estudios Avanzados del IPN (CINVESTAV), Mexico DF, Mexico
| | | | | | - Waldir P. Elias
- Laboratory of Bacteriology, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
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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
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20
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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.
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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.
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21
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Stacy AK, Mitchell NM, Maddux JT, De la Cruz MA, Durán L, Girón JA, 3rd RC, Mellata M. Evaluation of the prevalence and production of Escherichia coli common pilus among avian pathogenic E. coli and its role in virulence. PLoS One 2014; 9:e86565. [PMID: 24466152 PMCID: PMC3900561 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0086565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2013] [Accepted: 12/11/2013] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) strains cause systemic and localized infections in poultry, jointly termed colibacillosis. Avian colibacillosis is responsible for significant economic losses to the poultry industry due to disease treatment, decrease in growth rate and egg production, and mortality. APEC are also considered a potential zoonotic risk for humans. Fully elucidating the virulence and zoonotic potential of APEC is key for designing successful strategies against their infections and their transmission. Herein, we investigated the prevalence of a newly discovered E. coli common pilus (ECP) for the subunit protein of the ECP pilus (ecpA) and ECP expression amongst APEC strains as well as the role of ECP in virulence. A PCR-based ecpA survey of a collection of 167 APEC strains has shown that 76% (127/167) were ecpA+. An immunofluorescence assay using anti-EcpA antibodies, revealed that among the ecpA+ strains, 37.8% (48/127) expressed ECP when grown in DMEM +0.5% Mannose in contact with HeLa cells at 37°C and/or in biofilm at 28°C; 35.4% (17/48) expressed ECP in both conditions and 64.6% (31/48) expressed ECP in biofilm only. We determined that the ecp operon in the APEC strain χ7122 (ecpA+, ECP-) was not truncated; the failure to detect ECP in some strains possessing non-truncated ecp genes might be attributed to differential regulatory mechanisms between strains that respond to specific environmental signals. To evaluate the role of ECP in the virulence of APEC, we generated ecpA and/or ecpD-deficient mutants from the strain χ7503 (ecpA+, ECP+). Deletion of ecpA and/or ecpD abolished ECP synthesis and expression, and reduced biofilm formation and motility in vitro and virulence in vivo. All together our data show that ecpA is highly prevalent among APEC isolates and its expression could be differentially regulated in these strains, and that ECP plays a role in the virulence of APEC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alyssa K. Stacy
- The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, United States of America
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Natalie M. Mitchell
- The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Jacob T. Maddux
- The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, United States of America
| | | | - Laura Durán
- University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Jorge A. Girón
- University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Roy Curtiss 3rd
- The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, United States of America
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Melha Mellata
- The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Pacheco VCR, Yamamoto D, Abe CM, Hernandes RT, Mora A, Blanco J, Gomes TAT. Invasion of differentiated intestinal Caco-2 cells is a sporadic property among atypical enteropathogenic Escherichia coli strains carrying common intimin subtypes. Pathog Dis 2013; 70:167-75. [PMID: 24339197 DOI: 10.1111/2049-632x.12112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2013] [Revised: 09/27/2013] [Accepted: 10/31/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Atypical enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (aEPEC) strains produce attaching-effacing (AE) lesions on enterocytes due to the interaction of the adhesin intimin with its translocated receptor. aEPEC strain 1551-2 was previously shown to invade HeLa and T84 cells by means of the uncommon intimin subtype omicron. Other aEPEC strains carrying uncommon intimin subtypes have also been shown to invade differentiated T84 intestinal cells. In this study, seven aEPEC strains carrying the most common EPEC intimin subtypes (alpha, beta, and gamma) were evaluated regarding the ability to invade differentiated intestinal Caco-2 cells. Although all strains adhered to and promoted AE lesions, the numbers of cell-associated bacteria varied significantly between the different strains regardless of the intimin subtype (P < 0.05). Gentamicin protection assay and transmission electron microscopy analyses showed that in comparison with the invasive strain 1551-2, only one strain (aEPEC EC423/03, intimin beta) was invasive (P = 0.05). Although both strains persisted intracellularly until 48 h, the number of viable bacteria of EC423/03 decreased, whereas that of 1551-2 increased significantly up to 24 h and then decreased. In conclusion, invasiveness is a sporadic property among aEPEC strains carrying some common intimin subtypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica C R Pacheco
- Departamento de Microbiologia e Imunologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina (UNIFESP - EPM), Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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Lehti TA, Bauchart P, Kukkonen M, Dobrindt U, Korhonen TK, Westerlund-Wikström B. Phylogenetic group-associated differences in regulation of the common colonization factor Mat fimbria in Escherichia coli. Mol Microbiol 2013; 87:1200-22. [PMID: 23347101 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.12161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/17/2013] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Heterogeneity of cell population is a key component behind the evolutionary success of Escherichia coli. The heterogeneity supports species adaptation and mainly results from lateral gene transfer. Adaptation may also involve genomic alterations that affect regulation of conserved genes. Here we analysed regulation of the mat (or ecp) genes that encode a conserved fimbrial adhesin of E. coli. We found that the differential and temperature-sensitive expression control of the mat operon is dependent on mat promoter polymorphism and closely linked to phylogenetic grouping of E. coli. In the mat promoter lineage favouring fimbriae expression, the mat operon-encoded regulator MatA forms a positive feedback loop that overcomes the repression by H-NS and stabilizes the fimbrillin mRNA under low growth temperature, acidic pH or elevated levels of acetate. The study exemplifies phylogenetic group-associated expression of a highly common surface organelle in E. coli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timo A Lehti
- Division of General Microbiology, Department of Biosciences, FI-00014 University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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Specific properties of enteropathogenic Escherichia coli isolates from diarrheal patients and comparison to strains from foods and fecal specimens from cattle, swine, and healthy carriers in Osaka City, Japan. Appl Environ Microbiol 2012; 79:1232-40. [PMID: 23220963 DOI: 10.1128/aem.03380-12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
For exhaustive detection of diarrheagenic Escherichia coli, we previously developed a colony-hybridization method using hydrophobic grid-membrane filters in combination with multiplex real-time PCR. To assess the role of domestic animals as the source of atypical enteropathogenic E. coli (aEPEC), a total of 679 samples (333 from foods, fecal samples from 227 domestic animals, and 119 from healthy people) were examined. Combining 48 strains previously isolated from patients and carriers, 159 aEPEC strains were classified by phylogroup, virulence profile, and intimin typing. Phylogroup B1 was significantly more prevalent among aEPEC from patients (50%) and bovine samples (79%) than from healthy carriers (16%) and swine strains (23%), respectively. Intimin type β1 was predominant in phylogroup B1; B1-β1 strains comprised 26% of bovine strains and 25% of patient strains. The virulence profile groups Ia and Ib were also observed more frequently among bovine strains than among porcine strains. Similarly, virulence group Ia was detected more frequently among patient strains than strains of healthy carriers. A total of 85 strains belonged to virulence group I, and 63 of these strains (74%) belonged to phylogroup B1. The present study suggests that the etiologically important aEPEC in diarrheal patients could be distinguished from aEPEC strains indigenous to humans based on type, such as B1, Ia, and β1/γ1, which are shared with bovine strains, while the aEPEC strains in healthy humans are different, and some of these were also present in porcine samples.
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Autotransporter protein-encoding genes of diarrheagenic Escherichia coli are found in both typical and atypical enteropathogenic E. coli strains. Appl Environ Microbiol 2012; 79:411-4. [PMID: 23104414 DOI: 10.1128/aem.02635-12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Autotransporter (AT) protein-encoding genes of diarrheagenic Escherichia coli (DEC) pathotypes (cah, eatA, ehaABCDJ, espC, espI, espP, pet, pic, sat, and tibA) were detected in typical and atypical enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) in frequencies between 0.8% and 39.3%. Although these ATs have been described in particular DEC pathotypes, their presence in EPEC indicates that they should not be considered specific virulence markers.
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Jafari A, Aslani MM, Bouzari S. Escherichia coli: a brief review of diarrheagenic pathotypes and their role in diarrheal diseases in Iran. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY 2012; 4:102-17. [PMID: 23066484 PMCID: PMC3465535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli have developed different strategies for establishment of infection in their host. Understanding these pathogenic mechanisms has led to the development of specific diagnostic tools for identification and categorization of E. coli strains into different pathotypes. This review aims to provide an overview of the various categories of diarrheagenic Escherichia coli and the data obtained in Iran pertaining to these pathotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Jafari
- Molecular Biology Unit, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran
| | - MM Aslani
- Bacteriology Department, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran,Corresponding author: Aslani MM, Address: Molecular Biology Unit, Pasteur Institute of Iran. National Escherichia coli Reference Laboratory (NERL). Tel: +98-21-66953311-20. E-mail:
| | - S Bouzari
- Molecular Biology Unit, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran,National Escherichia coli Reference Laboratory (NERL),Corresponding author: Bouzari S, Address: Molecular Biology Unit, Pasteur Institute of Iran. National Escherichia coli Reference Laboratory (NERL). Tel: +98-21-66953311-20. E-mail:
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Nara JM, Pimenta DC, Abe CM, Abreu PAE, Moraes CTP, Freitas NC, Elias WP, Piazza RMF. Low-molecular mass comparative proteome of four atypical enteropathogenic Escherichia coli isolates showing different adherence patterns. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2012; 35:539-49. [PMID: 22768807 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2012.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2012] [Revised: 06/04/2012] [Accepted: 06/10/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Atypical enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (aEPEC) are heterogeneous in terms of serotypes, adherence patterns and the presence of non-locus of enterocyte effacement virulence factors. In this study, the low-molecular mass proteomes of four representative aEPEC, comprising three different adhesion phenotypes (localized-like, aggregative and diffuse) and one non-adherent isolate, were analyzed and compared by 2D gel electrophoresis and LC-MS/MS. By mass spectrometry, a total of 59 proteins were identified according to their annotated function, with most of them being involved in metabolism, protection, and transport; some of them still classified as hypothetical proteins. Thus, in this comparative proteomic analysis of low-molecular mass extracted proteins from different aEPEC isolates, the proteins identified are mainly involved in key metabolic pathways. Also, the majority of the hypothetical and filamentous proteins identified in the isolates studied are products of genes originally identified in the genome of enterohemorrhagic E. coli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Júlia M Nara
- Laboratório de Bacteriologia, Instituto Butantan, Av. Vital Brazil, 1500, 05503-900, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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The response regulator RcsB activates expression of Mat fimbriae in meningitic Escherichia coli. J Bacteriol 2012; 194:3475-85. [PMID: 22522901 DOI: 10.1128/jb.06596-11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The common colonization factor of Escherichia coli, the Mat (also termed ECP) fimbria, functions to advance biofilm formation on inert surfaces as well as bacterial adherence to epithelial cells and subsequent colonization. We used global mini-Tn5 transposon mutagenesis to identify novel regulators of biofilm formation by the meningitic E. coli isolate IHE 3034. Of the 4,418 transformants, we found 17 that were impaired in biofilm formation. Most of these mutants were affected in lipopolysaccharide synthesis and were reduced in growth but not in Mat fimbria expression. In contrast, two mutants grew well but did not express Mat fimbria. The insertions in these two mutants were located at different sites of the rcsB gene, which encodes a DNA-binding response regulator of the Rcs response regulon. The mutations abrogated temperature-dependent biofilm formation by IHE 3034, and the phenotype correlated with loss of mat expression. The defect in biofilm formation in the rcsB mutant was reversed upon complementation with rcsB as well as by overexpression of structural mat genes but not by overexpression of the fimbria-specific activator gene matA. Monitoring of the mat operon promoter activity with chromosomal reporter fusions showed that the RcsB protein and an RcsAB box in the mat regulatory region, but not RcsC, RcsD, AckA, and Pta, are essential for initiation of mat transcription. Gel retardation assays showed that RcsB specifically binds to the mat promoter DNA, which enables its function in promoting biofilm formation by E. coli.
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Ochoa TJ, Contreras CA. Enteropathogenic escherichia coli infection in children. Curr Opin Infect Dis 2011; 24:478-83. [PMID: 21857511 DOI: 10.1097/qco.0b013e32834a8b8b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 185] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) is an important diarrheal pathogen of young children. As the diagnosis of EPEC is now based mainly on molecular criteria, there has been an important change in its prevalence. The purpose of this study is to review the current epidemiology of EPEC infection and the new insights into its physiopathology. RECENT FINDINGS Recent epidemiological studies indicate that atypical EPEC (aEPEC) is more prevalent than typical EPEC (tEPEC) in both developed and developing countries, and that aEPEC is important in both pediatric endemic diarrhea and diarrhea outbreaks. Therefore, it is important to further characterize the pathogenicity of these emerging strains. The virulence mechanisms and physiopathology of the attaching and effacing lesion (A/E) and the type three secretion-system (T3SS) are complex but well studied. A/E strains use their pool of locus of enterocyte effacement (LEE)-encoded and non-LEE-encoded effector proteins to subvert and modulate cellular and barrier properties of the host. However, the exact mechanisms of diarrhea in EPEC infection are not completely understood. SUMMARY Remarkable progress has been made to identify virulence determinants required to mediate the pathogenesis of EPEC. However, fast, easy, and inexpensive diagnostic methods are needed in order to define optimal treatment and prevention for children in endemic areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theresa J Ochoa
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical 'Alexander von Humboldt', Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Perú.
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Fimbrial adhesins produced by atypical enteropathogenic Escherichia coli strains. Appl Environ Microbiol 2011; 77:8391-9. [PMID: 21926222 DOI: 10.1128/aem.05376-11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Atypical enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (aEPEC) has emerged as a significant cause of pediatric diarrhea worldwide; however, information regarding its adherence mechanisms to the human gut mucosa is lacking. In this study, we investigated the prevalence of several (fimA, ecpA, csgA, elfA, and hcpA) fimbrial genes in 71 aEPEC strains isolated from children with diarrhea (54 strains) and healthy individuals (17 strains) in Brazil and Australia by PCR. These genes are associated with adhesion and/or biofilm formation of pathogenic and commensal E. coli. Here, the most prevalent fimbrial genes found, in descending order, were hcpA (98.6%), ecpA (86%), fimA (76%), elfA (72%), and csgA (19.7%). Phenotypic expression of pili in aEPEC strains was assessed by several approaches. We were not able to detect the hemorrhagic coli pilus (HCP) or the E. coli laminin-binding fimbriae (ELF) in these strains by using immunofluorescence. Type 1 pili and curli were detected in 59% (by yeast agglutination) and 2.8% (by Congo red binding and immunofluorescence) of the strains, respectively. The E. coli common pilus (ECP) was evidenced in 36.6% of the strains on bacteria adhering to HeLa cells by immunofluorescence, suggesting that ECP could play an important role in cell adherence for some aEPEC strains. This study highlights the complex nature of the adherence mechanisms of aEPEC strains involving the coordinated function of fimbrial (e.g., ECP) and nonfimbrial (e.g., intimin) adhesins and indicates that these strains bear several pilus operons that could potentially be expressed in different niches favoring colonization and survival in and outside the host.
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Atypical enteropathogenic Escherichia coli that contains functional locus of enterocyte effacement genes can be attaching-and-effacing negative in cultured epithelial cells. Infect Immun 2011; 79:1833-41. [PMID: 21343354 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00693-10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) induces a characteristic histopathology on enterocytes known as the attaching-and-effacing (A/E) lesion, which is triggered by proteins encoded by the locus of enterocyte effacement (LEE). EPEC is currently classified as typical EPEC (tEPEC) and atypical EPEC (aEPEC), based on the presence or absence of the EPEC adherence factor plasmid, respectively. Here we analyzed the LEE regions of three aEPEC strains displaying the localized adherence-like (LAL), aggregative adherence (AA), and diffuse adherence (DA) patterns on HEp-2 cells as well as one nonadherent (NA) strain. The adherence characteristics and the ability to induce A/E lesions were investigated with HeLa, Caco-2, T84, and HT29 cells. The adherence patterns and fluorescent actin staining (FAS) assay results were reproducible with all cell lines. The LEE region was structurally intact and functional in all strains regardless of their inability to cause A/E lesions. An EspF(U)-expressing plasmid (pKC471) was introduced into all strains, demonstrating no influence of this protein on either the adherence patterns or the capacity to cause A/E of the adherent strains. However, the NA strain harboring pKC471 expressed the LAL pattern and was able to induce A/E lesions on HeLa cells. Our data indicate that FAS-negative aEPEC strains are potentially able to induce A/E in vivo, emphasizing the concern about this test for the determination of aEPEC virulence. Also, the presence of EspF(U) was sufficient to provide an adherent phenotype for a nonadherent aEPEC strain via the direct or indirect activation of the LEE4 and LEE5 operons.
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