1
|
Menge C. The Role of Escherichia coli Shiga Toxins in STEC Colonization of Cattle. Toxins (Basel) 2020; 12:toxins12090607. [PMID: 32967277 PMCID: PMC7551371 DOI: 10.3390/toxins12090607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Revised: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Many cattle are persistently colonized with Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) and represent a major source of human infections with human-pathogenic STEC strains (syn. enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC)). Intervention strategies most effectively protecting humans best aim at the limitation of bovine STEC shedding. Mechanisms enabling STEC to persist in cattle are only partialy understood. Cattle were long believed to resist the detrimental effects of Shiga toxins (Stxs), potent cytotoxins acting as principal virulence factors in the pathogenesis of human EHEC-associated diseases. However, work by different groups, summarized in this review, has provided substantial evidence that different types of target cells for Stxs exist in cattle. Peripheral and intestinal lymphocytes express the Stx receptor globotriaosylceramide (Gb3syn. CD77) in vitro and in vivo in an activation-dependent fashion with Stx-binding isoforms expressed predominantly at early stages of the activation process. Subpopulations of colonic epithelial cells and macrophage-like cells, residing in the bovine mucosa in proximity to STEC colonies, are also targeted by Stxs. STEC-inoculated calves are depressed in mounting appropriate cellular immune responses which can be overcome by vaccination of the animals against Stxs early in life before encountering STEC. Considering Stx target cells and the resulting effects of Stxs in cattle, which significantly differ from effects implicated in human disease, may open promising opportunities to improve existing yet insufficient measures to limit STEC carriage and shedding by the principal reservoir host.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christian Menge
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut/Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Molecular Pathogenesis, D-07743 Jena, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Ludwig JB, Shi X, Shridhar PB, Roberts EL, DebRoy C, Phebus RK, Bai J, Nagaraja TG. Multiplex PCR Assays for the Detection of One Hundred and Thirty Seven Serogroups of Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli Associated With Cattle. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2020; 10:378. [PMID: 32850480 PMCID: PMC7403468 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.00378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 06/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Escherichia coli carrying prophage with genes that encode for Shiga toxins are categorized as Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) pathotype. Illnesses caused by STEC in humans, which are often foodborne, range from mild to bloody diarrhea with life-threatening complications of renal failure and hemolytic uremic syndrome and even death, particularly in children. As many as 158 of the total 187 serogroups of E. coli are known to carry Shiga toxin genes, which makes STEC a major pathotype of E. coli. Seven STEC serogroups, called top-7, which include O26, O45, O103, O111, O121, O145, and O157, are responsible for the majority of the STEC-associated human illnesses. The STEC serogroups, other than the top-7, called “non-top-7” have also been associated with human illnesses, more often as sporadic infections. Ruminants, particularly cattle, are principal reservoirs of STEC and harbor the organisms in the hindgut and shed in the feces, which serves as a major source of food and water contaminations. A number of studies have reported on the fecal prevalence of top-7 STEC in cattle feces. However, there is paucity of data on the prevalence of non-top-7 STEC serogroups in cattle feces, generally because of lack of validated detection methods. The objective of our study was to develop and validate 14 sets of multiplex PCR (mPCR) assays targeting serogroup-specific genes to detect 137 non-top-7 STEC serogroups previously reported to be present in cattle feces. Each assay included 7–12 serogroups and primers were designed to amplify the target genes with distinct amplicon sizes for each serogroup that can be readily identified within each assay. The assays were validated with 460 strains of known serogroups. The multiplex PCR assays designed in our study can be readily adapted by most laboratories for rapid identification of strains belonging to the non-top-7 STEC serogroups associated with cattle.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Justin B Ludwig
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, United States
| | - Xiaorong Shi
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, United States
| | - Pragathi B Shridhar
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, United States
| | - Elisabeth L Roberts
- E. coli Reference Center, Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
| | - Chitrita DebRoy
- E. coli Reference Center, Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
| | - Randy K Phebus
- Department of Animal Sciences and Industry/Food Science Institute, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, United States
| | - Jianfa Bai
- Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Industry/Food Science Institute, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, United States
| | - T G Nagaraja
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, United States
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Bosilevac JM, Wang R, Luedtke BE, Hinkley S, Wheeler TL, Koohmaraie M. Characterization of Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli on Veal Hides and Carcasses. J Food Prot 2017; 80:136-145. [PMID: 28221873 DOI: 10.4315/0362-028x.jfp-16-247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) are Shiga toxin-producing E. coli associated with the most severe forms of foodborne illnesses. The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service has identified a higher percentage of non-O157 EHEC compared with E. coli O157:H7-positive samples collected from veal trimmings than from products produced from other cattle slaughter classes. Therefore samples were collected from hides and preevisceration carcasses at five veal processors to assess E. coli O157:H7 and non-O157 EHEC contamination during bob veal and formula-fed veal dressing procedures. E. coli O157:H7 prevalence was measured by culture isolation and found to be on 20.3% of hides and 6.7% of carcasses. In contrast, a non-O157 EHEC molecular screening assay identified 90.3% of hides and 68.2% of carcasses as positive. Only carcass samples were taken forward to culture confirmation and 38.7% yielded one or more non-O157 EHEC isolates. The recovery of an EHEC varied by plant and sample collection date; values ranged from 2.1 to 87.8% among plants and from 4.2 to 64.2% within the same plant. Three plants were resampled after changes were made to sanitary dressing procedures. Between the two collection times at the three plants, hide-to-carcass transfer of E. coli O157:H7 and non-O157 EHEC was significantly reduced. All adulterant EHEC serogroups (O26, O45, O103, O111, O121, and O145) were isolated from veal carcasses as well as four other potentially pathogenic serogroups (O5, O84, O118, and O177). Bob veal was found to have a greater culture prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 and greater positive molecular screens for non-O157 EHEC than formula-fed veal (P < 0.05), but the percentage of culture-confirmed non-O157 EHEC was not different (P > 0.05) between the two types of calves. EHEC-O26, -O111, and -O121 were found more often in bob veal (P < 0.05), whereas EHEC-O103 was found more often in formula-fed veal (P < 0.05).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joseph M Bosilevac
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, P.O. Box 166, State Spur 18D, Clay Center, Nebraska 68933
| | - Rong Wang
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, P.O. Box 166, State Spur 18D, Clay Center, Nebraska 68933
| | - Brandon E Luedtke
- University of Nebraska-Kearney, 2401 11th Avenue, Kearney, Nebraska 68849
| | - Susanne Hinkley
- NeoSEEK Laboratory, Neogen Corp., 4131 North 48th Street, Lincoln, Nebraska 68504
| | - Tommy L Wheeler
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, P.O. Box 166, State Spur 18D, Clay Center, Nebraska 68933
| | - Mohammad Koohmaraie
- IEH Laboratories and Consulting Group, 15300 Bothell Way N.E., Lake Forest Park, Washington 98155, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Luedtke BE, Bosilevac JM. Comparison of methods for the enumeration of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli from veal hides and carcasses. Front Microbiol 2015; 6:1062. [PMID: 26483780 PMCID: PMC4586433 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2015.01062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2015] [Accepted: 09/15/2015] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The increased association of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) with veal calves has led the United States Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service to report results of veal meat contaminated with the Top 7 serogroups separately from beef cattle. However, detection methods that can also provide concentration for determining the prevalence and abundance of EHEC associated with veal are lacking. Here we compared the ability of qPCR and a molecular based most probable number assay (MPN) to detect and enumerate EHEC from veal hides at the abattoir and the resulting pre-intervention carcasses. In addition, digital PCR (dPCR) was used to analyze select samples. The qPCR assay was able to enumerate total EHEC in 32% of the hide samples with a range of approximately 34 to 91,412 CFUs/100 cm2 (95% CI 4-113,460 CFUs/100 cm2). Using the MPN assay, total EHEC was enumerable in 48% of the hide samples and ranged from approximately 1 to greater than 17,022 CFUs/100 cm2 (95% CI 0.4–72,000 CFUs/100 cm2). The carcass samples had lower amounts of EHEC with a range of approximately 4–275 CFUs/100 cm2 (95% CI 3–953 CFUs/100 cm2) from 17% of samples with an enumerable amount of EHEC by qPCR. For the MPN assay, the carcass samples ranged from 0.1 to 1 CFUs/100 cm2 (95% CI 0.02–4 CFUs/100 cm2) from 29% of the samples. The correlation coefficient between the qPCR and MPN enumeration methods indicated a moderate relation (R2 = 0.39) for the hide samples while the carcass samples had no relation (R2 = 0.002), which was likely due to most samples having an amount of total EHEC below the reliable limit of quantification for qPCR. Interestingly, after enrichment, 81% of the hide samples and 94% of the carcass samples had a detectable amount of total EHEC by qPCR. From our analysis, the MPN assay provided a higher percentage of enumerable hide and carcass samples, however determining an appropriate dilution range and the limited throughput offer additional challenges.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brandon E Luedtke
- U. S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Roman L. Hruska U. S. Meat Animal Research Center Clay Center, NE, USA
| | - Joseph M Bosilevac
- U. S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Roman L. Hruska U. S. Meat Animal Research Center Clay Center, NE, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Liu B, Perepelov AV, Guo D, Shevelev SD, Senchenkova SN, Feng L, Shashkov AS, Wang L, Knirel YA. Structural and genetic relationships between the O-antigens ofEscherichia coliO118 and O151. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010; 60:199-207. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-695x.2010.00738.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
|
6
|
Abu-Ali GS, Lacher DW, Wick LM, Qi W, Whittam TS. Genomic diversity of pathogenic Escherichia coli of the EHEC 2 clonal complex. BMC Genomics 2009; 10:296. [PMID: 19575794 PMCID: PMC2713265 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-10-296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2008] [Accepted: 07/03/2009] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Evolutionary analyses of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) have identified two distantly related clonal groups: EHEC 1, including serotype O157:H7 and its inferred ancestor O55:H7; and EHEC 2, comprised of several serogroups (O26, O111, O118, etc.). These two clonal groups differ in their virulence and global distribution. Although several fully annotated genomic sequences exist for strains of serotype O157:H7, much less is known about the genomic composition of EHEC 2. In this study, we analyzed a set of 24 clinical EHEC 2 strains representing serotypes O26:H11, O111:H8/H11, O118:H16, O153:H11 and O15:H11 from humans and animals by comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) on an oligoarray based on the O157:H7 Sakai genome. RESULTS Backbone genes, defined as genes shared by Sakai and K-12, were highly conserved in EHEC 2. The proportion of Sakai phage genes in EHEC 2 was substantially greater than that of Sakai-specific bacterial (non-phage) genes. This proportion was inverted in O55:H7, reiterating that a subset of Sakai bacterial genes is specific to EHEC 1. Split decomposition analysis of gene content revealed that O111:H8 was more genetically uniform and distinct from other EHEC 2 strains, with respect to the Sakai O157:H7 gene distribution. Serotype O26:H11 was the most heterogeneous EHEC 2 subpopulation, comprised of strains with the highest as well as the lowest levels of Sakai gene content conservation. Of the 979 parsimoniously informative genes, 15% were found to be compatible and their distribution in EHEC 2 clustered O111:H8 and O118:H16 strains by serotype. CGH data suggested divergence of the LEE island from the LEE1 to the LEE4 operon, and also between animal and human isolates irrespective of serotype. No correlation was found between gene contents and geographic locations of EHEC 2 strains. CONCLUSION The gene content variation of phage-related genes in EHEC 2 strains supports the hypothesis that extensive modular shuffling of mobile DNA elements has occurred among EHEC strains. These results suggest that EHEC 2 is a multiform pathogenic clonal complex, characterized by substantial intra-serotype genetic variation. The heterogeneous distribution of mobile elements has impacted the diversification of O26:H11 more than other EHEC 2 serotypes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Galeb S Abu-Ali
- Microbial Evolution Laboratory, National Food Safety & Toxicology Center, 165 Food Safety & Toxicology Building, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, USA
| | - David W Lacher
- Division of Molecular Biology, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Laurel, Maryland 20708, USA
| | - Lukas M Wick
- Biosynth AG, Rietlistrasse 4, 9422 Staad, Switzerland
| | - Weihong Qi
- Functional Genomics Center Zurich, University of Zurich and Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Thomas S Whittam
- Microbial Evolution Laboratory, National Food Safety & Toxicology Center, 165 Food Safety & Toxicology Building, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Comparative analysis of the locus of enterocyte effacement and its flanking regions. Infect Immun 2009; 77:3501-13. [PMID: 19506015 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00090-09] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The attaching-and-effacing (A/E) phenotype mediated by factors derived from the locus of enterocyte effacement (LEE) is a hallmark of clinically important intestinal pathotypes of Escherichia coli, including enteropathogenic (EPEC), atypical EPEC (ATEC), and enterohemorrhagic E. coli strains. Epidemiological studies indicate that the frequency of diarrhea outbreaks caused by ATEC is increasing. Hence, it is of major importance to further characterize putative factors contributing to the pathogenicity of these strains and to gain additional insight into the plasticity and evolutionary aspects of this emerging pathotype. Here, we analyzed the two clinical ATEC isolates B6 (O26:K60) and 9812 (O128:H2) and compared the genetic organizations, flanking regions, and chromosomal insertion loci of their LEE with those of the LEE of other A/E pathogens. Our analysis shows that the core LEE is largely conserved-particularly among genes coding for the type 3 secretion system-whereas genes encoding effector proteins display a higher variability. Chromosomal insertion loci appear to be restricted to selC, pheU, and pheV. In contrast, striking differences were found between the 5'- and 3'-associated flanking regions reflecting the different histories of the various strains and also possibly indicating different lines in evolution.
Collapse
|
8
|
Maternally and naturally acquired antibodies to Shiga toxins in a cohort of calves shedding Shiga-toxigenic Escherichia coli. Appl Environ Microbiol 2009; 75:3695-704. [PMID: 19363081 DOI: 10.1128/aem.02869-08] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Calves become infected with Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) early in life, which frequently results in long-term shedding of the zoonotic pathogen. Little is known about the animals' immunological status at the time of infection. We assessed the quantity and dynamics of maternal and acquired antibodies to Shiga toxins (Stx1 and Stx2), the principal STEC virulence factors, in a cohort of 27 calves. Fecal and serum samples were taken repeatedly from birth until the 24th week of age. Sera, milk, and colostrums of dams were also assessed. STEC shedding was confirmed by detection of stx in fecal cultures. Stx1- and Stx2-specific antibodies were quantified by Vero cell neutralization assay and further analyzed by immunoblotting. By the eighth week of age, 13 and 15 calves had at least one stx(1)-type and at least one stx(2)-type positive culture, respectively. Eleven calves had first positive cultures only past that age. Sera and colostrums of all dams and postcolostral sera of all newborn calves contained Stx1-specific antibodies. Calf serum titers decreased rapidly within the first 6 weeks of age. Only five calves showed Stx1-specific seroconversion. Maternal and acquired Stx1-specific antibodies were mainly directed against the StxA1 subunit. Sparse Stx2-specific titers were detectable in sera and colostrums of three dams and in postcolostral sera of their calves. None of the calves developed Stx2-specific seroconversion. The results indicate that under natural conditions of exposure, first STEC infections frequently coincide with an absence of maternal and acquired Stx-specific antibodies in the animals' sera.
Collapse
|
9
|
Liu Y, Fratamico P, Debroy C, Bumbaugh AC, Allen JW. DNA sequencing and identification of serogroup-specific genes in the Escherichia coli O118 O antigen gene cluster and demonstration of antigenic diversity but only minor variation in DNA sequence of the O antigen clusters of E. coli O118 and O151. Foodborne Pathog Dis 2008; 5:449-57. [PMID: 18673069 DOI: 10.1089/fpd.2008.0096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The DNA sequence of the O antigen gene cluster of an Escherichia coli serogroup O118 strain was determined, and 13 open reading frames (ORFs) were identified, encoding genes required for O antigen sugar biosynthesis, transfer, and processing. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays targeting the wzx (O antigen flippase) and wzy (O antigen polymerase) genes in the O antigen gene cluster of E. coli O118 were designed for identification of these serogroups. Specificity testing using strains belonging to E. coli O118 isolated from various sources, representative strains of 167 other E. coli O serogroups, and 20 non-E. coli bacteria revealed that the PCR assays were specific for E. coli O118. Thus, the PCR assays can be used for rapid identification of E. coli O118 as an alterative to typing using antisera. However, the PCR assays targeting the E. coli O118 wzx and wzy genes were also positive using E. coli serogroup O151 DNA. Therefore, the sequence of the O antigen gene cluster of E. coli O151 was determined, and it was very similar to that of E. coli O118, with only three nucleotide differences. Although the lipopolysaccharide profiles of O118 and O151 showed differences, multilocus sequence typing of E. coli O118 and O151 strains only revealed minor variation at the nucleotide level. Since E. coli O118 strains are more frequently isolated from humans, animals, and the environment than E. coli O151, serogroup O151 may likely be a minor variant of E. coli O118. Further studies are needed to elucidate this possibility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yanhong Liu
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Eastern Regional Research Center, Wyndmoor, Pennsylvania 19038, USA.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Epithelial and mesenchymal cells in the bovine colonic mucosa differ in their responsiveness to Escherichia coli Shiga toxin 1. Infect Immun 2008; 76:5381-91. [PMID: 18765725 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00553-08] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Bovine colonic crypt cells express CD77 molecules that potentially act as receptors for Shiga toxins (Stx). The implication of this finding for the intestinal colonization of cattle by human pathogenic Stx-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) remains undefined. We used flow cytometric and real-time PCR analyses of primary cultures of colonic crypt cells to evaluate cell viability, CD77 expression, and gene transcription in the presence and absence of purified Stx1. A subset of cultured epithelial cells had Stx receptors which were located mainly intracellularly, with a perinuclear distribution, and were resistant to Stx1-induced apoptosis and Stx1 effects on chemokine expression patterns. In contrast, a population of vimentin-positive cells, i.e., mesenchymal/nonepithelial cells that had high numbers of Stx receptors on their surface, was depleted from the cultures by Stx1. In situ, CD77(+) cells were located in the lamina propria of the bovine colon by using immunofluorescence staining. A newly established vimentin-positive crypt cell line with high CD77 expression resisted the cytolethal effect of Stx1 but responded to Stx1 with a significant increase in interleukin-8 (IL-8), GRO-alpha, MCP-1, and RANTES mRNA. Combined stimulation with lipopolysaccharide and Stx1 increased IL-10 mRNA. Our results show that bovine colonic crypt cells of epithelial origin are resistant to both the cytotoxic and modulatory effects of Stx1. In contrast, some mucosal mesenchymal cells, preliminarily characterized as mucosal macrophages, are Stx1-responsive cells that may participate in the interaction of STEC with the bovine intestinal mucosa.
Collapse
|
11
|
Ok M, Güler L, Turgut K, Ok U, Sen I, Gündüz IK, Birdane MF, Güzelbekteş H. The studies on the aetiology of diarrhoea in neonatal calves and determination of virulence gene markers of Escherichia coli strains by multiplex PCR. Zoonoses Public Health 2008; 56:94-101. [PMID: 18771515 PMCID: PMC7165500 DOI: 10.1111/j.1863-2378.2008.01156.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine aetiological agents of diarrhoea in neonatal calves and to investigate virulence gene markers of Escherichia coli strains isolated from calves by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Eighty‐two diarrhoeic calves and 18 healthy calves were used as subjects. Faeces were taken from the rectums of all the calves and were subjected to bacterial culture. Antigen enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed to detect rotavirus, coronavirus and E. coli K99 in faeces of all the calves. A multiplex PCR was used to characterize E. coli strains in all the calves. Escherichia coli was isolated from 37 faeces samples, Enterococcus ssp. was isolated from 22 faeces samples and Salmonella was isolated from one faeces sample in diarrhoeic calves. Furthermore, only E. coli was isolated from all 18 faeces samples of healthy calves. Of the 37 E. coli isolated from diarrhoeic calves, K99 (18.9%), F41 (18.9%), heat‐stable enterotoxin a (STa) (18.9%), Shiga toxin 1 (Stx1; 13.5%) and Shiga toxin 2 (Stx2; 5.4%) and intimin (8.1%) genes were identified by multiplex PCR. Of the 18 E. coli isolated from healthy calves, K99 (16.6%) and intimin (55.5%) genes were identified by PCR. A total of 15 rotavirus, 11 coronavirus and 11 E. coli K99 were detected in diarrhoeic calves by the antigen ELISA. As a result, this study shows that rotavirus, coronavirus, E. coli and Enterococcus ssp. were determined to play a role in the aetiology of diarrhoea in the neonatal calves. K99, F41, STa, Stx1 and Stx2 were found as the most common virulence gene markers of E. coli strains isolated from calves with diarrhoea. Multiplex PCR may be useful for characterization of E. coli isolated from calves.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Ok
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Selcuk University, Konya, Turkey.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Moussay E, Stamm I, Taubert A, Baljer G, Menge C. Escherichia coli Shiga toxin 1 enhances il-4 transcripts in bovine ileal intraepithelial lymphocytes. Vet Immunol Immunopathol 2006; 113:367-82. [PMID: 16879873 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2006.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2006] [Revised: 04/04/2006] [Accepted: 06/19/2006] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Shiga toxin 1 (Stx1) blocks the activation of bovine peripheral and intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL), implying that the toxin has the potential to retard the host's immune response during intestinal colonization of cattle with human pathogenic Stx-producing Escherichia coli (STEC). Since Stx1 does not eliminate affected lymphocytes by causing cellular death, we assumed that Stx1 disturbs the integrity of the immune regulatory network. We therefore assessed the impact of Stx1 on the expression of selected chemokine and cytokine genes in vitro by real-time RT-PCR and by quantitation of intracellular cytokine proteins. While Stx1 did not alter the amount of mRNA specific for interleukin (IL)-2, IL-10, gamma interferon (IFN-gamma), transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta), IL-8, 10kDa interferon inducible protein (IP-10), and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) in cultured ileal IEL (iIEL), minute concentrations of Stx1 led to an up to 40-fold increase of il-4 transcripts within 6-8h of incubation. Comparative experiments with peripheral lymphocytes revealed that the effect was specific for iIEL. The enhancement of il-4 transcripts in iIEL was not accompanied by apoptosis but required the enzymatic activity of the holotoxin. Nevertheless, iIEL retained their ability to synthesize proteins in the presence of Stx1: 40% of iIEL could be stimulated to synthesize IFN-gamma while less than 10% expressed IL-4 or TGF-beta. Furthermore, iIEL were found to produce granulocyte chemoattractants, but the release of these substances was not different in iIEL cultures incubated with or without Stx1. Although Stx1 did not affect the numbers of iIEL producing either cytokine, these findings point to an altered responsiveness of IEL during bovine STEC infections and shed light on the initial effects Stx1 exerts on the local adaptive immune system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Etienne Moussay
- Institute for Hygiene and Infectious Diseases of Animals, Frankfurter Strasse 85-89, Justus-Liebig-University, D-35392 Giessen, Germany
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
13
|
Tozzoli R, Caprioli A, Morabito S. Detection of toxB, a plasmid virulence gene of Escherichia coli O157, in enterohemorrhagic and enteropathogenic E. coli. J Clin Microbiol 2005; 43:4052-6. [PMID: 16081950 PMCID: PMC1233992 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.43.8.4052-4056.2005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The virulence plasmid of Escherichia coli O157 strain EDL933 carries a 10-kb putative virulence gene designated toxB. Little is known about the distribution of this gene among E. coli O157 strains or its presence in other enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) and enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) strains. We developed PCR and hybridization tools for the detection of the entire toxB sequence and investigated its presence in a collection of EHEC O157 strains and other EHEC and EPEC strains belonging to different serogroups and isolated from different sources. The EHEC O157 strains reacted with all of the PCR primers and probes used, thus indicating the presence of a complete toxB gene regardless of the human or bovine origin of the isolates. Similar positive reactions were observed for about 50% of the EHEC O26 strains tested and a few other EHEC and EPEC strains. However, the size of the DNA fragments hybridizing with the toxB probes differed from that of the positive fragments from EHEC O157, suggesting a polymorphism in the toxB genes present in the different E. coli serogroups. Moreover, several EHEC and EPEC strains belonging to different serogroups reacted with only some of the genetic tools used, suggesting either the existence of major variants of toxB or the presence of fragments of the gene. Southern blotting analysis showed that toxB sequences were located on large plasmids in EHEC and EPEC O26 as well.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rosangela Tozzoli
- Dipartimento di Sanità Alimentare e Animale, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Alfredo Caprioli
- Dipartimento di Sanità Alimentare e Animale, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Morabito
- Dipartimento di Sanità Alimentare e Animale, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
- Corresponding author. Mailing address: Dipartimento di Sanità Alimentare e Animale, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy. Phone: 39-06-49903081. Fax: 39-06-49387077. E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Wales AD, Woodward MJ, Pearson GR. Attaching-effacing bacteria in animals. J Comp Pathol 2005; 132:1-26. [PMID: 15629476 PMCID: PMC7118730 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcpa.2004.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2004] [Accepted: 09/21/2004] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Enteric bacteria with a demonstrable or potential ability to form attaching-effacing lesions, so-called attaching-effacing (AE) bacteria, have been found in the intestinal tracts of a wide variety of warm-blooded animal species, including man. In some host species, for example cattle, pigs, rabbits and human beings, attaching-effacing Escherichia coli (AEEC) have an established role as enteropathogens. In other host species, AE bacteria are of less certain significance. With continuing advances in the detection and typing of AE strains, the importance of these bacteria for many hosts is likely to become clearer. The pathogenic effects of AE bacteria result from adhesion to the intestinal mucosa by a variety of mechanisms, culminating in the formation of the characteristic intimate adhesion of the AE lesion. The ability to induce AE lesions is mediated by the co-ordinated expression of some 40 bacterial genes organized within a so-called pathogenicity island, known as the "Locus for Enterocyte Effacement". It is also believed that the production of bacterial toxins, principally Vero toxins, is a significant virulence factor for some AEEC strains. Recent areas of research into AE bacteria include: the use of Citrobacter rodentium to model human AEEC disease; quorum-sensing mechanisms used by AEEC to modulate virulence gene expression; and the potential role of adhesion in the persistent colonization of the intestine by AE bacteria. This review of AE bacteria covers their molecular biology, their occurrence in various animal species, and the diagnosis, pathology and clinical aspects of animal diseases with which they are associated. Reference is made to human pathogens where appropriate. The focus is mainly on natural colonization and disease, but complementary experimental data are also included.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A D Wales
- Division of Veterinary Pathology, Infection and Immunity, School of Veterinary Science, University of Bristol, Langford, Bristol BS40 5DU, UK
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
15
|
Sorbitol-Negative Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli in Beef Heifers Grazing Rangeland Forages. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2004. [DOI: 10.15232/s1080-7446(15)31304-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
|
16
|
Menge C, Blessenohl M, Eisenberg T, Stamm I, Baljer G. Bovine ileal intraepithelial lymphocytes represent target cells for Shiga toxin 1 from Escherichia coli. Infect Immun 2004; 72:1896-905. [PMID: 15039308 PMCID: PMC375150 DOI: 10.1128/iai.72.4.1896-1905.2004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The discovery that bovine peripheral lymphocytes are sensitive to Stx1 identified a possible mechanism for the persistence of infections with Shiga toxin (Stx)-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) in the bovine reservoir host. If intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL) are also sensitive to Stx1, the idea that Stx1 affects inflammation in the bovine intestine is highly attractive. To prove this hypothesis, ileal IEL (iIEL) were prepared from adult cattle, characterized by flow cytometry, and subjected to functional assays in the presence and absence of purified Stx1. We found that 14.9% of all iIEL expressed Gb(3)/CD77, the Stx1 receptor on bovine lymphocytes, and 7.9% were able to bind the recombinant B subunit of Stx1. The majority of Gb(3)/CD77(+) cells were activated CD3(+) CD6(+) CD8 alpha(+) T cells, whereas only some CD4(+) T cells and B cells expressed Gb(3)/CD77. However, Stx1 blocked the mitogen-induced transformation to enlarged blast cells within all subpopulations to a similar extent and significantly reduced the percentage of Gb(3)/CD77(+) cells. Although Stx1 did not affect the natural killer cell activity of iIEL, the toxin accelerated the synthesis of interleukin-4 (IL-4) mRNA and reduced the amount of IL-8 mRNA in bovine iIEL cultures. Because the intestinal system comprises a rich network of interactions between different types of cells and any dysfunction may influence the course of intestinal infections, this demonstration that Stx1 can target bovine IEL may be highly relevant for our understanding of the interplay between STEC and its reservoir host.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christian Menge
- Institut für Hygiene und Infektionskrankheiten der Tiere der Justus-Liebig-Universität Giessen, D-35392 Giessen, Germany.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
17
|
Orden JA, Yuste M, Cid D, Piacesi T, Martínez S, Ruiz-Santa-Quiteria JA, De la Fuente R. Typing of the eae and espB genes of attaching and effacing Escherichia coli isolates from ruminants. Vet Microbiol 2004; 96:203-15. [PMID: 14519337 DOI: 10.1016/s0378-1135(03)00238-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The types of the eae and espB genes of 178 attaching and effacing Escherichia coli (AEEC) strains isolated from diarrhoeic and healthy ruminants were investigated by PCR. Six types of the eae gene: beta (beta), gamma1 (gamma-1), gamma2 (gamma-2), epsilon (epsilon), zeta (zeta) and iota (iota), and three types of the espB gene: alpha, beta and gamma were identified in the strains studied. Moreover, three strains were negative to all the types of the eae gene tested. The types beta and gamma2 in healthy cattle, beta, gamma2 and epsilon in healthy sheep and goats, and beta in diarrhoeic calves, lambs and goat kids were the most frequent types of the eae gene among the strains studied. Although the eaebeta gene was the most prevalent among AEEC from healthy and diarrhoeic ruminants, the percentages of AEEC strains with this type found in this study in diarrhoeic animals (66.7-100%) were higher than those found in healthy animals (33.3-40.6%). Thus, these data suggest that AEEC strains with the eaebeta gene are associated with neonatal diarrhoea in ruminants. The eaegamma1, eaezeta and eaeiota genes were found in low percentages in the strains studied (4.5, 2.8 and 7.3%, respectively). All the types of the eae gene, except the type iota, showed a close correlation with the types of the espB gene: the eaebeta and eae epsilon genes with the espBbeta gene, the eaegamma2 and eaezeta genes with the espBalpha gene and the eaegamma1 gene with the espBgamma gene.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J A Orden
- Departamento de Patología Animal I (Sanidad Animal), Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
18
|
Jores J, Zehmke K, Eichberg J, Rumer L, Wieler LH. Description of a novel intimin variant (type zeta) in the bovine O84:NM verotoxin-producing Escherichia coli strain 537/89 and the diagnostic value of intimin typing. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2003; 228:370-6. [PMID: 12671181 DOI: 10.1177/153537020322800407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Infections with verotoxin-producing Escherichia coli (VTEC) has resulted in increasing numbers of human illnesses annually. These illnesses usually result from the ability of VTEC to cause the attaching and effacing lesions (AE lesion). The AE phenotype is encoded by the locus of enterocyte effacement (LEE) pathogenicity island. A key adhesion factor involved is the outer membrane protein intimin, encoded by the eae gene within the LEE. Intimin types alpha, beta, gamma, delta, and epsilon have been described previously. Each intimin represents distinct phylogenetic lineages of LEE-positive strains. A new intimin type zeta was identified in a VTEC strain of the serotype O84:NM (nonmotile) that was isolated from a calf with diarrhea. zeta intimin showed the highest similarity (88%) of its amino acid sequence to the alpha intimin. For diagnostic purposes, we established a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method for diagnosis of the key virulence traits of VTEC (i.e., verotoxins and intimins). This method also distinguishes between the toxins (VT1 and VT2) and the six intimin types. By applying the PCR method, intimin zeta in strains of other VTEC serotypes O84:H2, O92:NM, O119:H25, and O150:NM was identified. Because the intimin types represent distinctive phylogenetic E. coli lineages, application of the intimin subtyping PCR offers significant benefits. These include improving diagnosis of VTEC infection and increasing the understanding of evolution of attaching and effacing VTEC and other LEE-positive bacteria.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joerg Jores
- Institut für Mikrobiologie und Tierseuchen, Freie Universität Berlin, 10115 Berlin, Germany.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
19
|
Stamm I, Wuhrer M, Geyer R, Baljer G, Menge C. Bovine lymphocytes express functional receptors for Escherichia coli Shiga toxin 1. Microb Pathog 2002; 33:251-64. [PMID: 12495672 DOI: 10.1006/mpat.2002.0527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Interactions of Shiga toxins (Stxs) and immune cells contribute to the pathogenesis of diseases due to Stx-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) infections in humans and facilitate the persistence of infection in asymptomatically infected cattle. Our recent findings that bovine B and T lymphocytes express Gb(3)/CD77, the human Stx-receptor, prompted us to determine whether the bovine homologue also mediates binding and internalization of Stx1. In fact, Stx1 holotoxin and recombinant B subunit (rStxB1) bound to stimulated bovine peripheral blood mononuclear cells, especially to those subpopulations (B cells, BoCD8(+) T cells) that are highly sensitive to Stx1. Competition and HPTLC-binding studies confirmed that Stx1 binds to bovine Gb(3), but different receptor isoforms with varying affinities for rStxB1 were expressed during the course of lymphocyte activation. At least one of these isoforms mediated toxin uptake. An anti-StxB1 mouse monoclonal antibody, used as a model for bovine serum antibodies specific for Stx1, modulated rather than generally prevented rStxB1 binding to and internalization by the receptors. The presence of functional Stx1-receptors on bovine lymphocytes explains the immunomodulatory effect of Stx1 observed in cattle at a molecular level. Furthermore, expression of such receptors by bovine but not human T cells enlightens the background for the differential outcome of STEC infections in cattle and man, i.e., persistent infection and development of disease, respectively.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ivonne Stamm
- Institut für Hygiene und Infektionskrankheiten der Tiere der Justus-Liebig-Universität, Giessen, Germany
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
20
|
Maidhof H, Guerra B, Abbas S, Elsheikha HM, Whittam TS, Beutin L. A multiresistant clone of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O118:[H16] is spread in cattle and humans over different European countries. Appl Environ Microbiol 2002; 68:5834-42. [PMID: 12450802 PMCID: PMC134392 DOI: 10.1128/aem.68.12.5834-5842.2002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiresistant Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O118:H16 and O118 nonmotile strains (designated O118:[H16]) were detected by examination of 171 STEC isolates for their antimicrobial sensitivity. Of 48 STEC O118:[H16] strains, 98% were resistant to sulfonamide, 96% were resistant to streptomycin, 79% were resistant to kanamycin, 75% were resistant to tetracycline, 67% were resistant to ampicillin, 60% were resistant to chloramphenicol, 48% were resistant to trimethoprim, and 10% each were resistant to gentamicin and nalidixic acid. Nalidixic acid resistance and reduced susceptibility to ciprofloxacin were associated with the mutation gyrA(LEU-83). The STEC O118:[H16] strains were found to belong to a single genetic clone as investigated by multilocus enzyme electrophoresis and by multilocus sequence analysis of E. coli housekeeping genes. The STEC O118:[H16] strains originated from humans and cattle and were isolated in seven different countries of Europe between 1986 and 1999. Strains showing multiresistance to up to eight different antimicrobials predominated among the more recent STEC O118:[H16] strains. The genes in parentheses were associated with resistance to kanamycin (aphA1-Ia), chloramphenicol (catA1), tetracycline [tet(A)], and ampicillin (bla(TEM-1)). Class 1 integrons containing sulI (sulfonamide resistance), aadA1a (streptomycin resistance), or dfrA1 (trimethoprim resistance)-aadA1a gene cassettes were detected in 28 strains. The bla(TEM-1b) gene was present in 18 of 21 strains that were examined by nucleotide sequencing. Class 1 integrons and bla(TEM) genes were localized on plasmids and/or on the chromosome in different STEC O118:[H16] strains. Hybridization of XbaI-digested chromosomal DNA separated by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis revealed that bla(TEM) genes were integrated at different positions in the chromosome of STEC O118:[H16] strains that could have occurred by Tn2 insertion. Our data suggest that strains belonging to the STEC O118:[H16] clonal group have a characteristic propensity for acquisition and maintenance of resistance determinants, thus contrasting to STEC belonging to other serotypes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Heinrich Maidhof
- Division of Emerging Bacterial Pathogens, Robert Koch-Institut, D-13353 Berlin, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
21
|
Szalo IM, Goffaux F, Pirson V, Piérard D, Ball H, Mainil J. Presence in bovine enteropathogenic (EPEC) and enterohaemorrhagic (EHEC) Escherichia coli of genes encoding for putative adhesins of human EHEC strains. Res Microbiol 2002; 153:653-8. [PMID: 12558184 DOI: 10.1016/s0923-2508(02)01379-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Enteropathogenic and enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EPEC and EHEC) infections are characterised by the formation of attaching and effacing lesions on intestinal epithelial cells. The first step of EPEC and EHEC pathogenesis involves the initial adherence of the bacterium to the intestinal epithelium. A collection of bovine EPEC and EHEC strains belonging to different serogroups was tested by colony blot hybridization with gene probes for putative adhesins (BFPA, LPFA, IHA, LIFA) of human EPEC and EHEC, and also for fimbrial and afimbrial adhesins (AFA8, F17, Cs31A) of bovine necrotoxigenic E. coli (NTEC). In the bovine EPEC and EHEC strains tested, sequences homologous to lifA, ihA, and lpfA genes were detected, sometimes in association with particular serogroups. Bovine 026 EPEC also possessed a sequence homologous to a gene of the c/p operon, coding for the CS31A adhesin, associated with bovine NTEC. Overall results showed that different genes encoding for putative adhesins of human EHEC strains are present in bovine EPEC and EHEC strains, but not one of them is present in all strains.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ioan Mihai Szalo
- Laboratory of Bacteriology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Boulevard de Colonster 20/B43, 4000 Liège, Belgium
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
22
|
Gioffré A, Meichtri L, Miliwebsky E, Baschkier A, Chillemi G, Romano MI, Sosa Estani S, Cataldi A, Rodríguez R, Rivas M. Detection of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli by PCR in cattle in Argentina. Evaluation of two procedures. Vet Microbiol 2002; 87:301-13. [PMID: 12069768 DOI: 10.1016/s0378-1135(02)00079-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Different experimental approaches were evaluated for their ability to detect stx genes by PCR and identify Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) in bovine fecal samples. One hundred and sixty fecal samples from steers in Argentina were processed by protocols that involved: (1) enrichment of fecal samples and DNA extraction using a commercially available kit (Protocol A); (2) plating on selective media after enrichment of the fecal sample followed by heat-lysis DNA extraction from the confluent growth zone (Protocol B); (3) analysis of individual colonies isolated from direct fecal culture on MacConkey agar and sorbitol MacConkey agar supplemented with cefixime and potassium tellurite (Protocol C), used as Gold Standard. PCR performed on bacteria from the confluent growth zone (Protocol B) proved to be the most sensitive methodology. In addition, enrichment for greater than 6h, enhanced sensitivity. Among eight STEC isolates, four were O8:H19 and four were stx2/eae-negative. An STEC isolate was characterized as O26:H11 with a stx1/eae/EHEC-hlyA genotype, often associated with human disease. Finally, no STEC O157 strains were isolated using these methods.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A Gioffré
- Instituto de Biotecnología, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Agropecuarias, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, Castelar, Argentina
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
23
|
de la Fuente R, Garcia S, Orden JA, Ruiz-Santa-Quiteria JA, Diez R, Cid D. Prevalence and characteristics of attaching and effacing strains of Escherichia coli isolated from diarrheic and healthy sheep and goats. Am J Vet Res 2002; 63:262-6. [PMID: 11843128 DOI: 10.2460/ajvr.2002.63.262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence and characteristics of attaching and effacing Escherichia coli (AEEC) in diarrheic and healthy small ruminants. ANIMALS 502 lambs and kids with diarrhea and 511 healthy sheep and goats. PROCEDURE Fecal samples from diarrheic and healthy sheep and goats were screened for the eae gene. In addition, E coli isolates with positive results for the eae gene (E coli eae+) were analyzed for the espB gene, production of verotoxins (VT), and serogroup. RESULTS A significantly higher prevalence of healthy lambs and kids were infected with AEEC, compared with diarrheic lambs and kids and healthy adult sheep and goats. Some differences in the characteristics of E coli eae strains isolated from diarrheic and healthy animals were detected. Thus, the espB gene was detected more frequently among E coli eae+ strains isolated from healthy animals than in those isolated from diarrheic animals, and VT production was only detected in E coli eae+ strains isolated from healthy lambs and kids. The E coli eae+ isolates belonged to several O serogroups. However, 17 of 40 (42.5%) isolates from diarrheic lambs and only 4 of 168 (2.4%) isolates from healthy sheep belonged to serogroup 026. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Our results suggest that E coli eae+ 026 strains may play a role in diarrheal disease in lambs, whereas E coli eae+ strains that also had VT production and eae+ strains that had positive results for the espB gene did not appear to be associated with diarrhea in small ruminants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo de la Fuente
- Departamento de Patologia Animal 1, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
24
|
Park S, Worobo RW, Durst RA. Escherichia coli O157:H7 as an emerging foodborne pathogen: a literature review. Crit Rev Biotechnol 2001; 21:27-48. [PMID: 11307844 DOI: 10.1080/20013891081674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- S Park
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Cornell University, Geneva, NY 14456-0462, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
25
|
McNally A, Roe AJ, Simpson S, Thomson-Carter FM, Hoey DE, Currie C, Chakraborty T, Smith DG, Gally DL. Differences in levels of secreted locus of enterocyte effacement proteins between human disease-associated and bovine Escherichia coli O157. Infect Immun 2001; 69:5107-14. [PMID: 11447192 PMCID: PMC98606 DOI: 10.1128/iai.69.8.5107-5114.2001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Ongoing extensive epidemiological studies of verotoxin-carrying Escherichia coli O157 (stx(+) eae(+)) have shown this bacterial pathogen to be common in cattle herds in the United States and the United Kingdom. However, the incidence of disease in humans due to this pathogen is still very low. This study set out to investigate if there is a difference between strains isolated from human disease cases and those isolated from asymptomatic cattle which would account for the low disease incidence of such a ubiquitous organism. The work presented here has compared human disease strains from both sporadic and outbreak cases with a cross-section, as defined by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, of E. coli O157 strains from cattle. Human (n = 22) and bovine (n = 31) strains were genotyped for carriage of the genes for Shiga-like toxin types 1, 2, and 2c; E. coli secreted protein genes espA, espB, and espP; the enterohemolysin gene; eae (intimin); ast (enteroaggregative E. coli stable toxin [EAST]); and genes for common E. coli adhesins. Strains were also phenotyped for hemolysin, EspP, Tir, and EspD expression as well as production of actin and cytoskeletal rearrangement associated with attaching and effacing (A/E) lesions on HeLa cells. The genotyping confirmed that there was little difference between the two groups, including carriage of stx(2) and stx(2c), which was similar in both sets. ast alleles were confirmed to all contain mutations that would prevent EAST expression. espP mutations were found only in cattle strains (5 of 30). Clear differences were observed in the expression of locus of enterocyte effacement (LEE)-encoded factors between strains and in different media. EspD, as an indicator of LEE4 (espA, -B, and -D) expression, and Tir levels in supernatants were measured. Virtually all strains from both sources could produce EspD in Luria-Bertani broth, although at very different levels. Standard trichloroacetic acid precipitation of secreted proteins from tissue culture medium produced detectable levels of EspD from the majority of strains of human origin (15 of 20) compared with only a few (4 of 20) bovine strains (P < 0.001), which is indicative of much higher levels of protein secretion from the human strains. Addition of bovine serum albumin carrier protein before precipitation and enhanced detection techniques confirmed that EspD could be detected after growth in tissue culture medium for all strains, but levels from strains of human origin were on average 90-fold higher than those from strains of bovine origin. In general, levels of secretion also correlated with ability to form A/E lesions on HeLa cells, with only the high-level protein secretors in tissue culture medium exhibiting a localized adherence phenotype. This research shows significant differences between human- and bovine-derived E. coli O157 (stx(+) eae(+)) strains and their production of certain LEE-encoded virulence factors. These data support the recent finding of Kim et al. (J. Kim, J. Nietfeldt, and A. K. Benson, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 96:13288-13293, 1999) proposing different E. coli O157 lineages in cattle and humans and extend the differential to the regulation of virulence factors. Potentially only a subset of E. coli O157 isolates (stx(+) eae(+)) in cattle may be capable of causing severe disease in humans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A McNally
- ZAP Laboratories, Department of Veterinary Pathology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
26
|
Cid D, Ruiz-Santa-Quiteria JA, Marı N I, Sanz R, Orden JA, Amils R, de la Fuente R. Association between intimin (eae) and EspB gene subtypes in attaching and effacing Escherichia coli strains isolated from diarrhoeic lambs and goat kids. MICROBIOLOGY (READING, ENGLAND) 2001; 147:2341-2353. [PMID: 11496011 DOI: 10.1099/00221287-147-8-2341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Attaching and effacing Escherichia coli (AEEC) strains isolated from diarrhoeic lambs and goat kids were characterized for intimin (eae) and EspB (espB) gene subtypes by PCR and sequencing, and for genetic relatedness by PFGE. Fifty (23 ovine and 27 caprine) AEEC strains of 398 (246 ovine and 152 caprine) analysed were detected by colony blot hybridization. These strains were epidemiologically unrelated since they were isolated from different outbreaks of neonatal diarrhoea over a long period. Ovine AEEC strains belonged to serogroups O2, O4, O26, O80, O91 or were untypable, and caprine strains belonged to serogroups O3, O153 and O163. Two intimin subtypes were detected among the ovine and caprine strains studied. Most of the strains (43/50) had the beta type intimin gene, but seven ovine strains possessed a variant gamma type intimin gene (gamma(V)). Analysis of deduced amino acid sequences of the eae gene revealed that the sequences of beta intimin of ovine and caprine strains were virtually identical to those of beta intimin of rabbit EPEC, human EPEC clone 2 and swine AEEC, whereas the gamma(V) intimin present in seven ovine strains had 75-76% identity with gamma intimin of human EHEC clone 1 strains, and 96% of identity with intimin of the human EHEC strain 95NR1 of serotype O111:H-. A PCR test was developed to identify the three different espB gene subtypes, espB of human EPEC clone 1 (espBalpha), espB of human EHEC clone 1 (espBgamma) and espB of rabbit EPEC and human EPEC clone 2 (espBbeta). There was close correlation between the intimin beta type and the espBbeta gene subtype in the ovine and caprine AEEC strains. The seven ovine strains possessing the gamma(V) intimin gene possessed the espBalpha gene subtype. None of the strains studied possessed the espBgamma gene found in human O157:H7 EHEC strains. PFGE analysis of genomic DNA of selected strains showed a great diversity among strains. Cluster analysis of PFGE patterns showed greater divergence between strains with the gamma(V) intimin gene than between strains with the beta intimin gene. This study showed that most of the AEEC strains isolated from diarrhoeic lambs and goat kids possessed beta intimin and espB genes identical to those of rabbit EPEC, and they may be associated with enteric disease in small ruminants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- D Cid
- Departamento Patologı́a Animal I, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense, 28040 Madrid, Spain1
| | - J A Ruiz-Santa-Quiteria
- Departamento Patologı́a Animal I, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense, 28040 Madrid, Spain1
| | - I Marı N
- Centro de Biologı́a Molecular, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain2
| | - R Sanz
- Departamento Patologı́a Animal I, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense, 28040 Madrid, Spain1
| | - J A Orden
- Departamento Patologı́a Animal I, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense, 28040 Madrid, Spain1
| | - R Amils
- Centro de Biologı́a Molecular, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain2
| | - R de la Fuente
- Departamento Patologı́a Animal I, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense, 28040 Madrid, Spain1
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Knutton S, Shaw R, Phillips AD, Smith HR, Willshaw GA, Watson P, Price E. Phenotypic and genetic analysis of diarrhea-associated Escherichia coli isolated from children in the United Kingdom. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 2001; 33:32-40. [PMID: 11479405 DOI: 10.1097/00005176-200107000-00006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A hospital-based study was performed to (1) compare phenotypic and genotypic diagnostic tests for enteropathogenic Escherichia coli, enteroaggregative E. coli, and diffuse-adhering E. coli (collectively termed adherent E. coli) and (2) to assess the importance of these different classes of adherent E. coli as causes of infant diarrhea in the United Kingdom in comparison with other enteropathogens. METHODS E. coli isolated from 1,496 infants with diarrheal disease and from 546 age-related controls were screened for enteropathogenic E. coli, enteroaggregative E. coli, and diffuse-adhering E. coli using HEp-2 cell adherence assays and DNA probes. RESULTS Marked discrepancies between the phenotype and genotype of isolates indicate significant heterogeneity among enteroaggregative E. coli and diffuse-adhering E. coli strains. Depending on the assay used, adherent E. coli were isolated as the only putative pathogen in 23% to 27% of diarrhea cases, a significantly higher incidence than in the control group. Individually, enteroaggregative E. coli (8.5-8.6% of cases) and diffuse-adhering E. coli (10.4-11.3% of cases), but not enteropathogenic E. coli (4.5-7.5% of cases), were significantly associated with diarrhea. CONCLUSIONS These studies indicate that adherent E. coli may be an important cause of diarrhea in infants in the United Kingdom; they also emphasize the need for more specific virulence-based tests for these putative classes of "diarrheagenic" (diarrhea causing) E. coli.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S Knutton
- Institute of Child Health, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B4 6NH, United Kingdom.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
28
|
Cattle as a Reservoir of Shiga-Like Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli Including O157:H7—Pre- and Post-Harvest Control Measures to Assure Beef Safety. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2001. [DOI: 10.15232/s1080-7446(15)31589-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
|
29
|
Djordjevic SP, Hornitzky MA, Bailey G, Gill P, Vanselow B, Walker K, Bettelheim KA. Virulence properties and serotypes of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli from healthy Australian slaughter-age sheep. J Clin Microbiol 2001; 39:2017-21. [PMID: 11326039 PMCID: PMC88074 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.39.5.2017-2021.2001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2000] [Accepted: 03/08/2001] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
A group of 1,623 ovine fecal samples recovered from 65 geographically distinct mutton sheep and prime lamb properties across New South Wales, Australia, were screened for the presence of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) virulence factors (stx(1), stx(2), eaeA, and ehxA). A subset was cultured for STEC isolates containing associated virulence factors (eaeA and/or ehxA), which were isolated from 17 of 20 (85%) and 19 of 20 (95%) tested prime lamb and mutton sheep properties, respectively. STEC isolates containing stx(1), stx(2), and ehxA were most commonly isolated (19 of 40 flocks; 47.5%), and this profile was observed for 10 different serotypes. Among 90 STEC isolates studied, the most common serotypes were O91:H(-) (22 isolates [24.4%]), O5:H(-) (16 isolates [17.8%]), O128:H2 (11 isolates [12.2%]), O123:H(-) (8 isolates [8.9%]), and O85:H49 (5 isolates [5.6%]). Two isolates (2.2%) were typed as O157:H(-). A total of 78 of 90 STEC isolates (86.7%) expressed Shiga toxin in Vero cell culture and 75 of 84 ehxA-positive isolates (89.3%) expressed enterohemolysin on washed sheep blood agar. eaeA was observed in 11 of 90 (12.2%) ovine STEC isolates, including serotypes O5:H(-), O84:H(-), O85:H49, O123:H(-) O136:H40, and O157:H(-). Although only 2 of 90 isolates were typed as O157:H(-), the predominant serotypes recovered during this study have been recovered from human patients with clinical disease, albeit rarely.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S P Djordjevic
- Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute, New South Wales Agriculture, Camden, New South Wales 2570, Australia. steve,
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
30
|
Wieler LH, Busse B, Steinrück H, Beutin L, Weber A, Karch H, Baljer G. Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) strains of serogroup O118 display three distinctive clonal groups of EHEC pathogens. J Clin Microbiol 2000; 38:2162-9. [PMID: 10834970 PMCID: PMC86754 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.38.6.2162-2169.2000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [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 recent case report of a child infected with enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) of serotype O118:H16 in Bavaria, in association with the isolation of a bovine O118 strain on the same farm (A. Weber, H. Klie, H. Richter, P. Gallien, M. Timm, and K. W. Perlberg, Berl. Muench. Tieraerztl. Wochenschr. 110:211-213, 1997), prompted us to investigate the relationship between bovine and human strains of serogroup O118. A total of 29 human O118 E. coli strains from Europe (21), Canada (4), and Peru (4) were compared by virulence typing and macrorestriction analysis with 7 bovine O118 EHEC strains isolated in Bavaria. Twenty-five of the human strains were characterized as EHEC. By serotyping and determination of the virulence-associated factors Shiga toxin (stx1 stx2 stx2 variants), intimin (eae), and EHEC hemolysin (Hly(EHEC)), three distinctive groups of O118 human pathogens were identified. Most of the strains belonged to serotype O118:H16, displaying the virulence traits Stx1, intimin, Hly(EHEC), and EspP/PssA (group 1). In addition, we identified strains of serotype O118:H12 (Stx2d only; group 2) and of serotype O118:H30 (Stx2 and intimin; group 3). Macrorestriction analysis with BlnI and XbaI revealed that all strains with a single O118 serotype profile (O118:H12, O118:H16, and O118:H30) belonged to one clonal cluster, irrespective of their origin. Group 1 strains clustered in the same clonal group as the bovine O118:H16 strains. Moreover, four pairs of strains of different origins and indistinguishable by all other methods applied were identified as group 1 strains. Our data support the direct transmission of an EHEC O118:H16 strain from a calf to a 2-year-old boy in the above-mentioned case report. Since bovine and human O118:H16 strains represent the same clones, they must be considered zoonotic EHEC pathogens. In contrast, EHEC strains of serotypes O118:H12 and O118:H30 have been isolated only from humans, indicating a reservoir for certain human O118 EHEC strains other than bovines.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- L H Wieler
- Institut für Mikrobiologie und Tierseuchen, Freie Universität Berlin, 10115 Berlin, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
31
|
Oswald E, Schmidt H, Morabito S, Karch H, Marchès O, Caprioli A. Typing of intimin genes in human and animal enterohemorrhagic and enteropathogenic Escherichia coli: characterization of a new intimin variant. Infect Immun 2000; 68:64-71. [PMID: 10603369 PMCID: PMC97102 DOI: 10.1128/iai.68.1.64-71.2000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 305] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) and enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) produce the characteristic "attaching and effacing" (A/E) lesion of the brush border. Intimin, an outer membrane protein encoded by eae, is responsible for the tight association of both pathogens with the host cell. Several eae have been cloned from different EPEC and EHEC strains isolated from humans and animals. These sequences are conserved in the N-terminal region but highly variable in the last C-terminal 280 amino acids (aa), where the cell binding activity is localized. Based on these considerations, we developed a panel of specific primers to investigate the eae heterogeneity of the variable 3' region by using PCR amplification. We then investigated the distribution of the known intimin types in a large collection of EPEC and EHEC strains isolated from humans and different animal species. The existence of a yet-unknown family of intimin was suspected because several EHEC strains, isolated from human and cattle, did not react with any of the specific primer pairs, although these strains were eae positive when primers amplifying the conserved 5' end were used. We then cloned and sequenced the eae present in one of these strains (EHEC of serotype O103:H2) and subsequently designed a PCR primer that recognizes in a specific manner the variable 3' region of this new intimin type. This intimin, referred to as "epsilon," was present in human and bovine EHEC strains of serogroups O8, O11, O45, O103, O121, and O165. Intimin epsilon is the largest intimin cloned to date (948 aa) and shares the greatest overall sequence identity with intimin beta, although analysis of the last C-terminal 280 aa suggests a greater similarity with intimins alpha and gamma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- E Oswald
- Unité INRA-ENVT de Microbiologie Moléculaire, Ecole Vétérinaire de Toulouse, 31076 Toulouse Cedex, France.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
32
|
Cerqueira AM, Guth BE, Joaquim RM, Andrade JR. High occurrence of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) in healthy cattle in Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. Vet Microbiol 1999; 70:111-21. [PMID: 10591502 DOI: 10.1016/s0378-1135(99)00123-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
In order to evaluate the prevalence of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) strains, 197 fecal samples of healthy cattle from 10 dairy farms, four beef farms and one slaughterhouse at Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil, were examined for Shiga toxin (Stx) gene sequences by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). For presumptive isolation of O157:H7 E. coli, the Cefixime-potassium tellurite-sorbitol MacConkey Agar (CT-SMAC) was used. A high occurrence (71%) of Stx was detected, and was more frequently found among dairy cattle (82% vs. 53% in beef cattle), in which no differences were observed regarding the age of the animals. Dot blot hybridization with stx1 and stx2 probes revealed that the predominant STEC type was one that had the genes for both stx1 and stx2 in dairy cattle and one that had only the stx1 gene for beef cattle. Three (1.5%) O157:H7 E. coli strains were isolated from one beef and two dairy animals by the use of CT-SMAC. To our knowledge, this is the first report of O157:H7 isolation in Brazil. A PCR-based STEC detection protocol led to the isolation of STEC in 12 of 16 randomly selected PCR-positive stool samples. A total of 15 STEC strains belonging to 11 serotypes were isolated, and most of them (60%) had both stx1 and stx2 gene sequences. Cytotoxicity assays with HeLa and Vero cells revealed that all strains except two of serotype O157:H7 expressed Stx. The data point to the high prevalence of STEC in our environment and suggest the need for good control strategies for the prevention of contamination of animal products.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A M Cerqueira
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, UNIFESP, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
33
|
Sharma VK, Dean-Nystrom EA, Casey TA. Semi-automated fluorogenic PCR assays (TaqMan) forrapid detection of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and other shiga toxigenic E. coli. Mol Cell Probes 1999; 13:291-302. [PMID: 10441202 DOI: 10.1006/mcpr.1999.0251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Semi-automated detection of Enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) O157:H7 and non-O157:H7 Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) was achieved using fluorogenic polymerase chain reaction (PCR). These PCR assays were designed to amplify 80, 120 and 150 bp regions of virulence genes stx1, stx2 and eaeA, respectively, using specific primers. The fluorogenic probes were used for specific detection of amplified products of the stx1 and stx2 genes of STEC, and the eaeA gene of EHEC O157:H7. For multiplex PCR assay, the three sets of primers and fluorogenic probes were included in one reaction to simultaneously amplify and detect any of the three targeted virulence genes. In non-multiplex PCR assay, each of the three virulence genes was amplified and detected in independent reactions. The specificity of these assays was evaluated using suspensions of STEC and other bacterial species lacking stx1, stx2 and eaeA. The multiplex assay detected all STEC harbouring any combination of three virulence genes. Three non-multiplex PCR reactions identified types of Shiga toxin genes carried by a STEC and identified STEC as either EHEC O157:H7 or non-O157:H7 STEC. Sensitivity limits of these assays in beef and faeces inoculated with EHEC O157:H7 were 5.8 to 580 cfu and 1.2 to 1200 cfu, respectively. These assays can be completed within 8-10 h when performed simultaneously or within 13 h if the multiplex assay is used as an initial screen for detecting STEC and the non-multiplex assay is used for subsequent detection of stx1 and stx2 of STEC and eaeA of EHEC O157:H7
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- V K Sharma
- Enteric Diseases and Food Safety Research Unit, National Animal Disease Center, USDA, Ames, Iowa, 50010, USA.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
34
|
Kerr P, Ball H, China B, Mainil J, Finlay D, Pollock D, Wilson I, Mackie D. Use of a monoclonal antibody against an Escherichia coli O26 surface protein for detection of enteropathogenic and enterohemorrhagic strains. CLINICAL AND DIAGNOSTIC LABORATORY IMMUNOLOGY 1999; 6:610-4. [PMID: 10391872 PMCID: PMC95737 DOI: 10.1128/cdli.6.4.610-614.1999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/1998] [Accepted: 05/03/1999] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
A monoclonal antibody (MAb) was obtained from a mouse immunized with solubilized outer membrane proteins extracted from a bovine enterohemorrhagic strain of Escherichia coli (EHEC), O26. The MAb produced a strong immunoblot reaction at approximately 21 kDa for an O26 strain containing the intimin gene (eae) and verocytotoxin (VT), but not with an O26 eae- and VT-negative strain, or O157 eae- and VT-positive strains. The MAb was used in a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) format to screen strains from animal and human sources, and all reactive strains were characterized for the presence of eae and the gene encoding VT factors by PCR. The antigen was detected in a group of strains containing a high proportion of O26, the majority of which were eae positive with or without VT; these were isolated mostly from animal enteritis cases but included a small number of human enteric isolates. Nonreactors included eae-positive (with or without VT) O157 strains and one O26 strain. In a survey of mixed cultures from both animal and human enteric disease, ELISA-positive reactions were obtained from 7.1 to 11.2% of samples from bovine, porcine, ovine, and human sources. The two human O8 and ten animal O26 ELISA-reactive pure strains obtained from these samples contained six eae- and/or VT-positive strains; the other six strains lost their ELISA positivity following storage at -70 degrees C, after which none were found to contain either eae or VT factors. The association of the antigen detected by the MAb with significant enteropathogenic E. coli and EHEC virulence factors in isolates from both animal and human enteric infections indicates a diagnostic potential for the assay developed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- P Kerr
- Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland, Veterinary Sciences Division, Belfast BT4 3SD, Northern Ireland.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
35
|
Menge C, Wieler LH, Schlapp T, Baljer G. Shiga toxin 1 from Escherichia coli blocks activation and proliferation of bovine lymphocyte subpopulations in vitro. Infect Immun 1999; 67:2209-17. [PMID: 10225876 PMCID: PMC115959 DOI: 10.1128/iai.67.5.2209-2217.1999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) is widespread in the cattle population, but the clinical significance of Shiga toxins (Stx's) for the bovine species remains obscure. Since Stx's exert immunomodulating effects in other species, we examined the effect of purified Stx1 on a bovine B lymphoma cell line (BL-3) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) isolated from adult bovine blood by viability assays and flow cytometry analysis. Stx1 markedly induced apoptosis in stimulated BL-3 cells. The susceptibility of this B-cell-derived cell line was induced only by either lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or pokeweed mitogen, while cultures stimulated with T-cell mitogens were unaffected by the toxin. In contrast, Stx1 did not induce cellular death-neither apoptosis nor necrosis-in primary cultures of PBMC but hindered the mitogen-induced increase in metabolic activity. The influence of Stx1 on single PBMC subpopulations varied with the type of mitogenic stimulus applied. Stimulation with phytohemagglutinin P particularly induced the proliferation of bovine CD8-expressing (BoCD8(+)) cells, and this proliferative response was blocked by Stx1. On the other hand, Stx1 reduced the portion of viable B cells in the presence of LPS. Modulation of activation marker expression (BoCD25 and BoCD71) by Stx1 indicated that the toxin hindered the proliferation of cells by blocking their activation. In conclusion, we assume that Stx1 contributes to the pathogenesis of STEC-associated diarrhea in calves by suppressing the mucosa-associated immune response. The usefulness of cattle as a model in which to study Stx-induced immunomodulation is discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- C Menge
- Institut für Hygiene und Infektionskrankheiten der Tiere der Justus-Liebig-Universität, Giessen, D-35392 Giessen, Germany.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
36
|
Nougayrède JP, Marchès O, Boury M, Mainil J, Charlier G, Pohl P, De Rycke J, Milon A, Oswald E. The long-term cytoskeletal rearrangement induced by rabbit enteropathogenic Escherichia coli is Esp dependent but intimin independent. Mol Microbiol 1999; 31:19-30. [PMID: 9987106 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2958.1999.01138.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Attaching and effacing rabbit enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (REPEC) of the O103 serogroup adhere diffusely on HeLa cells and trigger a slow progressive cytopathic effect (CPE) characterized by the recruitment of vinculin and the assembly of actin stress fibres. In contrast to REPEC O103, the reference human EPEC strain E2348/69 is unable to trigger the CPE. In this study, we have shown first that the fimbrial adhesin AF/R2, which mediates the diffuse adhesion of REPEC O103, was not sufficient to induce the CPE capability upon E2348/69. Non-polar mutants of REPEC O103 for espA, espB, espD and eae were then constructed. The four mutants were unable to induce attaching and effacing lesions in the rabbit ileal loop model. The esp mutants were no longer able to induce the CPE, whereas the eae mutant still induced the CPE. Each espA, -B, -D mutant could be fully complemented in trans by the corresponding cloned esp genes from both the parental strain and the CPE-negative E2348/69 strain, indicating that no single esp encodes the information needed to confer the CPE phenotype. In conclusion, the CPE is the first example of an Esp-dependent but Eae (intimin)-independent alteration of the host cell cytoskeleton by certain EPEC strains.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J P Nougayrède
- Unité Associée Microbiologie Moléculaire, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique/Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse, France
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|