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Kuhlmann FM, Grigura V, Vickers TJ, Prouty MG, Iannotti LL, Dulience SJL, Fleckenstein JM. Seroprevalence Study of Conserved Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli Antigens in Globally Diverse Populations. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2221. [PMID: 37764065 PMCID: PMC10536235 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11092221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) are common causes of infectious diarrhea among young children of low-and middle-income countries (LMICs) and travelers to these regions. Despite their significant contributions to the morbidity and mortality associated with childhood and traveler's diarrhea, no licensed vaccines are available. Current vaccine strategies may benefit from the inclusion of additional conserved antigens, which may contribute to broader coverage and enhanced efficacy, given their key roles in facilitating intestinal colonization and effective enterotoxin delivery. EatA and EtpA are widely conserved in diverse populations of ETEC, but their immunogenicity has only been studied in controlled human infection models and a population of children in Bangladesh. Here, we compared serologic responses to EatA, EtpA and heat-labile toxin in populations from endemic regions including Haitian children and subjects residing in Egypt, Cameroon, and Peru to US children and adults where ETEC infections are sporadic. We observed elevated IgG and IgA responses in individuals from endemic regions to each of the antigens studied. In a cohort of Haitian children, we observed increased immune responses following exposure to each of the profiled antigens. These findings reflect the wide distribution of ETEC infections across multiple endemic regions and support further evaluation of EatA and EtpA as candidate ETEC vaccine antigens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederick Matthew Kuhlmann
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine in Saint Louis, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA; (F.M.K.); (V.G.); (T.J.V.)
| | - Vadim Grigura
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine in Saint Louis, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA; (F.M.K.); (V.G.); (T.J.V.)
| | - Timothy J. Vickers
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine in Saint Louis, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA; (F.M.K.); (V.G.); (T.J.V.)
| | | | - Lora L. Iannotti
- Institute for Public Health, Brown School, Washington University in Saint Louis, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA; (L.L.I.); (S.J.L.D.)
| | - Sherlie Jean Louis Dulience
- Institute for Public Health, Brown School, Washington University in Saint Louis, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA; (L.L.I.); (S.J.L.D.)
| | - James M. Fleckenstein
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine in Saint Louis, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA; (F.M.K.); (V.G.); (T.J.V.)
- Medicine Service, Infectious Diseases, Saint Louis VA Health Care System, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
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Magaña-Lizárraga JA, Gómez-Gil B, Rendón-Maldonado JG, Delgado-Vargas F, Vega-López IF, Báez-Flores ME. Genomic Profiling of Antibiotic-Resistant Escherichia coli Isolates from Surface Water of Agricultural Drainage in North-Western Mexico: Detection of the International High-Risk Lineages ST410 and ST617. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10030662. [PMID: 35336237 PMCID: PMC8948617 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10030662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Aquatic environments are recognized as one of the main reservoirs for the emergence and dissemination of high-risk lineages of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria of public health concern. However, the genomic characteristics of antibiotic-resistant Escherichia coli isolates from aquatic origins remain limited. Herein, we examined the antibiotic resistance and virulence genomic profiles of three E. coli recovered from surface water in northwest Mexico. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing, whole-genome sequencing (WGS), and in-depth in silico analysis were performed. Two E. coli exhibited MDR phenotypes. WGS-based typing revealed genetic diversity, and phylogenetic analysis corroborated a notable divergent relationship among the studied E. coli. One E. coli strain, harboring enterotoxigenic and extraintestinal pathogenic-associated virulence genes, was assigned to the ST4 lineage. MDR E. coli, belonging to the international high-risk clones ST410 and ST617, carried genes and mutations conferring resistance to aminoglycosides, β-lactams, quinolones, sulfonamides, tetracyclines, and trimethoprim. This study describes, for the first time, the detection and genomic profiling of high-risk lineages of E. coli ST410 and ST617 from surface water in Mexico. Additionally, our results underscore the role of surface water as a reservoir for critical pathogenic and MDR E. coli clones and the need for the surveillance and monitoring of aquatic environments via WGS from the One Health perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Antonio Magaña-Lizárraga
- Unidad de Investigaciones en Salud Pública “Dra. Kaethe Willms”, Facultad de Ciencias Químico Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa, Ciudad Universitaria, Culiacan 80013, Mexico; (J.A.M.-L.); (J.G.R.-M.); (F.D.-V.)
| | - Bruno Gómez-Gil
- Centro de Investigación en Alimentación y Desarrollo, A. C. (CIAD), Unidad Mazatlán en Acuicultura y Manejo Ambiental, AP.711, Mazatlan 82112, Mexico;
| | - José Guadalupe Rendón-Maldonado
- Unidad de Investigaciones en Salud Pública “Dra. Kaethe Willms”, Facultad de Ciencias Químico Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa, Ciudad Universitaria, Culiacan 80013, Mexico; (J.A.M.-L.); (J.G.R.-M.); (F.D.-V.)
| | - Francisco Delgado-Vargas
- Unidad de Investigaciones en Salud Pública “Dra. Kaethe Willms”, Facultad de Ciencias Químico Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa, Ciudad Universitaria, Culiacan 80013, Mexico; (J.A.M.-L.); (J.G.R.-M.); (F.D.-V.)
| | | | - María Elena Báez-Flores
- Unidad de Investigaciones en Salud Pública “Dra. Kaethe Willms”, Facultad de Ciencias Químico Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa, Ciudad Universitaria, Culiacan 80013, Mexico; (J.A.M.-L.); (J.G.R.-M.); (F.D.-V.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +52-667-752-0460
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Abstract
Acute bacterial gastroenteritis is among the most common infections worldwide, with millions of infections annually in the United States. Much of the illness is foodborne, occurring as both sporadic cases and large multistate outbreaks. Pathogen evolution through genetic exchange of virulence traits and antibiotic resistance determinants poses challenges for empiric therapy. Culture-independent diagnostic tests in clinical laboratories afford rapid diagnosis and expanded identification of pathogens. However, cultures remain important to generate sensitivity data and strain archiving for outbreak investigations. Most infections are self-limited, permitting judicious selection of antibiotic use in more severe forms of illness.
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Affiliation(s)
- James M Fleckenstein
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Washington University in Saint Louis, School of Medicine, Campus Box 8051, 660 South Euclid Avenue, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA; Infectious Disease Section, Medicine Service, Veterans Affairs Saint Louis Health Care System, 915 North Grand Boulevard, Saint Louis, MO 63106, USA.
| | - F Matthew Kuhlmann
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Washington University in Saint Louis, School of Medicine, Campus Box 8051, 660 South Euclid Avenue, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Alaullah Sheikh
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Washington University in Saint Louis, School of Medicine, Campus Box 8051, 660 South Euclid Avenue, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA
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F4- and F18-Positive Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli Isolates from Diarrhea of Postweaning Pigs: Genomic Characterization. Appl Environ Microbiol 2020; 86:AEM.01913-20. [PMID: 32948526 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01913-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to characterize in silico enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli F4- and F18-positive isolates (n = 90) causing swine postweaning diarrhea, including pathogenic potential, phylogenetic relationship, antimicrobial and biocide resistance, prophage content, and metal tolerance rates. F4 strains belonged mostly to the O149 and O6 serogroups and ST100 and ST48 sequence types (STs). F18 strains were mainly assigned to the O8 and O147 serogroups and ST10, ST23, and ST42. The highest rates of antimicrobial resistance were found against streptomycin, sulfamethoxazole, tetracycline, trimethoprim, and ampicillin. No resistance was found toward ciprofloxacin, cefotaxime, ceftiofur, and colistin. Genes conferring tolerance to copper (showing the highest diversity), cadmium, silver, and zinc were predicted in all genomes. Enterotoxin genes (ltcA, 100% F4, 62% F18; astA, 100% F4, 38.1% F18; sta, 18.8% F4, 38.1% F18; stb, 100% F4, 76.2% F18) and fimbria-encoding genes typed as F4ac and F18ac were detected in all strains, in addition to up to 16 other virulence genes in individual strains. Phage analysis predicted between 7 and 20 different prophage regions in each strain. A highly diverse variety of plasmids was found; IncFII, IncFIB, and IncFIC were prevalent among F4 isolates, while IncI1 and IncX1 were dominant among F18 strains. Interestingly, F4 isolates from the early 1990s belonged to the same clonal group detected for most of the F4 strains from 2018 to 2019 (ONT:H10-A-ST100-CH27-0). The small number of single-nucleotide polymorphism differences between the oldest and recent F4 ST100 isolates suggests a relatively stable genome. Overall, the isolates analyzed in this study showed remarkably different genetic traits depending on the fimbria type.IMPORTANCE Diarrhea in the postweaning period due to enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) is an economically relevant disease in pig production worldwide. In Denmark, prevention is mainly achieved by zinc oxide administration (to be discontinued by 2022). In addition, a breeding program has been implemented that aims to reduce the prevalence of this illness. Treatment with antimicrobials contributes to the problem of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) development. As a novelty, this study aims to deeply understand the genetic population structure and variation among diarrhea-associated isolates by whole-genome sequencing characterization. ST100-F4ac is the dominant clonal group circulating in Danish herds and showed high similarity to ETEC ST100 isolates from China, the United States, and Spain. High rates of AMR and high diversity of virulence genes were detected. The characterization of diarrhea-related ETEC is important for understanding the disease epidemiology and pathogenesis and for implementation of new strategies aiming to reduce the impact of the disease in pig production.
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Kim GH, Kim JW, Kim J, Chae JP, Lee JS, Yoon SS. Genetic Analysis and Characterization of a Bacteriophage ØCJ19 Active against Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli. Food Sci Anim Resour 2020; 40:746-757. [PMID: 32968727 PMCID: PMC7492175 DOI: 10.5851/kosfa.2020.e49] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Revised: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) is the major pathogenic
E. coli that causes diarrhea and edema in post-weaning
piglets. In this study, we describe the morphology and characteristics of
ØCJ19, a bacteriophage that infects ETEC, and performed genetic analysis.
Phage ØCJ19 belongs to the family Myoviridae. One-step
growth curve showed a latent phase of 5 min and burst size of approximately 20
phage particles/infected cell. Phage infectivity was stable for 2 h between
4°C and 55°C, and the phage was stable between pH 3 and 11.
Genetic analysis revealed that phage ØCJ19 has a total of 49,567 bases
and 79 open reading frames (ORFs). The full genomic sequence of phage
ØCJ19 showed the most similarity to an Escherichia
phage, vB_EcoS_ESCO41. There were no genes encoding lysogeny,
toxins, virulence factors, or antibiotic resistance in this phage, suggesting
that this phage can be used safely as a biological agent to control ETEC.
Comparative genomic analysis in terms of the tail fiber proteins could provide
genetic insight into host recognition and the relationship with other
coliphages. These results showed the possibility to improve food safety by
applying phage ØCJ19 to foods of animal origin contaminated with ETEC and
suggests that it could be the basis for establishing a safety management system
in the animal husbandry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gyeong-Hwuii Kim
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, Yonsei University, Wonju 26493, Korea
| | - Jae-Won Kim
- Institute of Biotechnology, CJ CheilJedang, Suwon 16495, Korea
| | - Jaegon Kim
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, Yonsei University, Wonju 26493, Korea
| | - Jong Pyo Chae
- Institute of Biotechnology, CJ CheilJedang, Suwon 16495, Korea
| | - Jin-Sun Lee
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, Yonsei University, Wonju 26493, Korea
| | - Sung-Sik Yoon
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, Yonsei University, Wonju 26493, Korea
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Rasko DA, Del Canto F, Luo Q, Fleckenstein JM, Vidal R, Hazen TH. Comparative genomic analysis and molecular examination of the diversity of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli isolates from Chile. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019; 13:e0007828. [PMID: 31747410 PMCID: PMC6901236 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2019] [Revised: 12/09/2019] [Accepted: 10/04/2019] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) is one of the most common diarrheal pathogens in the low- and middle-income regions of the world, however a systematic examination of the genomic content of isolates from Chile has not yet been undertaken. Whole genome sequencing and comparative analysis of a collection of 125 ETEC isolates from three geographic locations in Chile, allowed the interrogation of phylogenomic groups, sequence types and genes specific to isolates from the different geographic locations. A total of 80.8% (101/125) of the ETEC isolates were identified in E. coli phylogroup A, 15.2% (19/125) in phylogroup B, and 4.0% (5/125) in phylogroup E. The over-representation of genomes in phylogroup A was significantly different from other global ETEC genomic studies. The Chilean ETEC isolates could be further subdivided into sub-clades similar to previously defined global ETEC reference lineages that had conserved multi-locus sequence types and toxin profiles. Comparison of the gene content of the Chilean ETEC identified genes that were unique based on geographic location within Chile, phylogenomic classifications or sequence type. Completion of a limited number of genomes provided insight into the ETEC plasmid content, which is conserved in some phylogenomic groups and not conserved in others. These findings suggest that the Chilean ETEC isolates contain unique virulence factor combinations and genomic content compared to global reference ETEC isolates.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A. Rasko
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Felipe Del Canto
- Programa de Microbiología y Micología, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Qingwei Luo
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - James M. Fleckenstein
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, United States of America
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Saint Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Roberto Vidal
- Programa de Microbiología y Micología, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Instituto Milenio de Inmunología e Inmunoterapia, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Tracy H. Hazen
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
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