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Bumunang EW, Castro VS, Alexander T, Zaheer R, McAllister TA, Guan LL, Stanford K. In Silico Analysis of Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 Strains from Presumptive Super- and Low-Shedder Cattle. Toxins (Basel) 2024; 16:86. [PMID: 38393164 PMCID: PMC10893428 DOI: 10.3390/toxins16020086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Cattle are the primary reservoir for STEC O157, with some shedding >104 CFU/g in feces, a phenomenon known as super-shedding (SS). The mechanism(s) responsible for SS are not understood but have been attributed to the environment, host, and pathogen. This study aimed to compare genetic characteristics of STEC O157 strains from cattle in the same commercial feedlot pens with SS or low-shedding (LS) status. Strains from SS (n = 35) and LS (n = 28) collected from 11 pens in three feedlots were analyzed for virulence genes, Shiga toxin-carrying bacteriophage insertion sites, and phylogenetic relationships. In silico analysis showed limited variation regarding virulence gene profiles. Stx-encoding prophage insertion sites mrlA and wrbA for stx1a and stx2a, respectively, were all occupied, but two isolates had fragments of the stx-carrying phage in mrlA and wrbA loci without stx1a and stx2a. All strains screened for lineage-specific polymorphism assay (LSPA-6) were 111111, lineage I. Of the isolates, 61 and 2 were clades 1 and 8, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that pens with more than one SS had multiple distantly related clusters of SS and LS isolates. Although virulence genes and lineage were largely similar within and across feedlots, multiple genetic origins of strains within a single feedlot pen illustrate challenges for on-farm control of STEC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel W. Bumunang
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lethbridge Research and Development Centre, Lethbridge, AB T1J 4B1, Canada; (E.W.B.); (T.A.); (R.Z.); (T.A.M.)
| | - Vinicius S. Castro
- Faculty of Agronomy and Zootechnics, Federal University of Mato Grosso (UFMT), Cuiabá 78010-715, Brazil;
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB T1K 1M4, Canada
| | - Trevor Alexander
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lethbridge Research and Development Centre, Lethbridge, AB T1J 4B1, Canada; (E.W.B.); (T.A.); (R.Z.); (T.A.M.)
| | - Rahat Zaheer
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lethbridge Research and Development Centre, Lethbridge, AB T1J 4B1, Canada; (E.W.B.); (T.A.); (R.Z.); (T.A.M.)
| | - Tim A. McAllister
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lethbridge Research and Development Centre, Lethbridge, AB T1J 4B1, Canada; (E.W.B.); (T.A.); (R.Z.); (T.A.M.)
| | - Le Luo Guan
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2P9, Canada;
| | - Kim Stanford
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB T1K 1M4, Canada
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Fang Y, Tran F, Stanford K, Yang X. Stress Resistance and Virulence Gene Profiles Associated with Phylogeny and Phenotypes of Escherichia coli from Cattle. J Food Prot 2023; 86:100122. [PMID: 37355007 DOI: 10.1016/j.jfp.2023.100122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/26/2023]
Abstract
Seven serogroups of E. coli (Top seven E. coli) are frequently implicated in foodborne outbreaks in North America, largely due to their carriage of Shiga toxin genes (stx). This study aimed to profile resistance genes and virulence factors (VF), and their potential association with phylogeny and phenotypes of Top seven E. coli originating from cattle in Canada. 155 Top seven E. coli isolates previously characterized for heat and acid resistance and biofilm-forming ability were whole-genome sequenced and analyzed for phylogeny, VF, and stress resistance genes. The 155 E. coli strains belonged to six phylogroups: A (n = 32), B1 (n = 93), C (n = 3), D (n = 11), E (n = 15), and G (n = 1). Different phylogroups were clearly separated on the core genome tree, with strains of the same serotype closely clustered. The carriage of stx and the transmissible locus of stress tolerance (tLST), the extreme heat resistance marker, was mutually exclusive, in 33 and 15 genomes, respectively. A novel O84:H2 strain carrying stx1a was also identified. In total, 70, 41, and 32 VF, stress resistance genes and antibiotic resistance genes were identified. The stress resistance genes included those for metal (n = 29), biocides/acid (n = 4), and heat (n = 8) resistance. All heat resistance genes and most metal-resistance genes that were differentially distributed among the phylogroups were exclusively in phylogroup A. VF were least and most present in phylogroups A and D, respectively. No specific genes associated with acid resistance or biofilm formation phenotypes were identified. VF were more abundant (P < 0.05) in the non-biofilm-forming population and acid-resistant population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Fang
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Lacombe Research and Development Centre, 6000 C & E Trail, Lacombe, AB T4L 1W1, Canada
| | - Frances Tran
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Lacombe Research and Development Centre, 6000 C & E Trail, Lacombe, AB T4L 1W1, Canada
| | - Kim Stanford
- University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB T1K 3M4, Canada
| | - Xianqin Yang
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Lacombe Research and Development Centre, 6000 C & E Trail, Lacombe, AB T4L 1W1, Canada.
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Zhang P, Essendoubi S, Keenliside J, Reuter T, Stanford K, King R, Lu P, Yang X. Genomic analysis of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 from cattle and pork-production related environments. NPJ Sci Food 2021; 5:15. [PMID: 34210979 PMCID: PMC8249597 DOI: 10.1038/s41538-021-00097-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Three E. coli O157:H7 outbreaks have been attributed to contaminated pork in Alberta, Canada, recently. This study investigates the phylogenetic relatedness of E. coli O157:H7 from pigs, cattle, and pork-production environments for source attribution. Limited strain diversity was observed using five conventional subtyping methods, with most or all strains being in one subgroup. Whole-genome single nucleotide polymorphism analysis confirmed the recent ancestry of the isolates from all three sources. Most environmental isolates clustered closer with pig isolates than cattle isolates. Also, a direct link was observed between 2018-outbreak environmental isolates and isolates collected from a pig farm in 2018. The majority of pig isolates harbor only one Shiga toxin gene, stx2a, while 70% (35/50) of the cattle isolates have both stx1a and stx2a. The results show some E. coli O157:H7 strains could establish persistence on pig farms and as such, pigs can be a significant source of the organism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peipei Zhang
- grid.55614.330000 0001 1302 4958Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lacombe, Alberta Canada
| | | | | | - Tim Reuter
- Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, Lethbridge, Alberta Canada ,grid.47609.3c0000 0000 9471 0214University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta Canada
| | - Kim Stanford
- Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, Lethbridge, Alberta Canada ,grid.47609.3c0000 0000 9471 0214University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta Canada
| | - Robin King
- Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, Edmonton, Alberta Canada
| | - Patricia Lu
- Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, Edmonton, Alberta Canada
| | - Xianqin Yang
- grid.55614.330000 0001 1302 4958Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lacombe, Alberta Canada
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Genome Sequences of 104 Escherichia coli O157:H7 Isolates from Pigs, Cattle, and Pork Production Environments in Alberta, Canada. Microbiol Resour Announc 2021; 10:10/4/e01320-20. [PMID: 33509991 PMCID: PMC7844076 DOI: 10.1128/mra.01320-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Genome sequences of Escherichia coli O157:H7 originating from pigs are limited in the public databases. We sequenced 104 E. coli O157:H7 isolates from pig and cattle feces and pork production environments in Alberta, Canada. The information will aid studies investigating sources of E. coli O157:H7 contaminating pork and the associated environments. Genome sequences of Escherichia coli O157:H7 originating from pigs are limited in the public databases. We sequenced 104 E. coli O157:H7 isolates from pig and cattle feces and pork production environments in Alberta, Canada. The information will aid studies investigating sources of E. coli O157:H7 contaminating pork and the associated environments.
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Barth SA, Bauerfeind R, Berens C, Menge C. Shiga Toxin-Producing E. coli in Animals: Detection, Characterization, and Virulence Assessment. Methods Mol Biol 2021; 2291:19-86. [PMID: 33704748 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1339-9_2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Cattle and other ruminants are primary reservoirs for Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) strains which have a highly variable, but unpredictable, pathogenic potential for humans. Domestic swine can carry and shed STEC, but only STEC strains producing the Shiga toxin (Stx) 2e variant and causing edema disease in piglets are considered pathogens of veterinary medical interest. In this chapter, we present general diagnostic workflows for sampling livestock animals to assess STEC prevalence, magnitude, and duration of host colonization. This is followed by detailed method protocols for STEC detection and typing at genetic and phenotypic levels to assess the relative virulence exerted by the strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie A Barth
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut/Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Molecular Pathogenesis, Jena, Germany
| | - Rolf Bauerfeind
- Institute for Hygiene and Infectious Diseases of Animals, Justus Liebig University Gießen, Gießen, Germany
| | - Christian Berens
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut/Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Molecular Pathogenesis, Jena, Germany
| | - Christian Menge
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut/Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Molecular Pathogenesis, Jena, Germany.
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Paquette SJ, Reuter T. Escherichia coli: Physiological Clues Which Turn On the Synthesis of Antimicrobial Molecules. Vet Sci 2020; 7:E184. [PMID: 33233401 PMCID: PMC7712815 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci7040184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2020] [Revised: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Zoonotic pathogens, like Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) are a food safety and health risk. To battle the increasing emergence of virulent microbes, novel mitigation strategies are needed. One strategy being considered to combat pathogens is antimicrobial compounds produced by microbes, coined microcins. However, effectors for microcin production are poorly understood, particularly in the context of complex physiological responses along the gastro-intestinal tract (GIT). Previously, we identified an E. coli competitor capable of producing a strong diffusible antimicrobial with microcin-associated characteristics. Our objective was to examine how molecule production of this competitor is affected by physiological properties associated with the GIT, namely the effects of carbon source, bile salt concentration and growth phase. Using previously described liquid- and agar-based assays determined that carbon sources do not affect antimicrobial production of E. coli O103F. However, bile salt concentrations affected production significantly, suggesting that E. coli O103F uses cues along the GIT to modulate the expression of antimicrobial production. Furthermore, E. coli O103F produces the molecule during the exponential phase, contrary to most microcins identified to date. The results underscored the importance of experimental design to identify producers of antimicrobials. To detect antimicrobials, conventional microbiological methods can be a starting point, but not the gold standard.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah-Jo Paquette
- University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB T1K 3M4, Canada;
- Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, Lethbridge, AB T1J 4V6, Canada
| | - Tim Reuter
- University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB T1K 3M4, Canada;
- Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, Lethbridge, AB T1J 4V6, Canada
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Are Antimicrobial Interventions Associated with Heat-Resistant Escherichia coli on Meat? Appl Environ Microbiol 2020; 86:AEM.00512-20. [PMID: 32303544 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00512-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Decontamination practices, which often involve thermal treatments, are routinely performed in beef packing plants and have generally improved the safety of meat in North America. We investigated whether Escherichia coli in the beef production chain is becoming more heat resistant due to those treatments. Cattle isolates (n = 750) included seven serogroups (O157, O103, O111, O121, O145, O26, and O45) which were collected between 2002 and 2017. Beef plant isolates (n = 700) from carcasses, fabrication equipment, and beef products were included. Heat resistance was determined in Luria-Bertani broth at 60°C and by PCR screening for the locus of heat resistance (LHR). The decimal reduction for E. coli at 60°C (D 60ºC values) ranged from 0 to 7.54 min, with 97.2% of the values being <2 min. The prevalence of E. coli with D 60ºC values of >2 min was not significantly different (P > 0.05) among cattle and meat plant isolates. E. coli from equipment before sanitation (median, 1.03 min) was more heat resistant than that after sanitation (median, 0.9 min). No significant difference in D 60ºC values was observed among E. coli isolates from different years, from carcasses before and after antimicrobial interventions, or from before and during carcass chilling. Of all isolates, 1.97% harbored LHR, and the LHR-positive isolates had greater median D 60ºC values than the LHR-negative isolates (3.25 versus 0.96 min). No increase in heat resistance in E. coli was observed along the beef production chain or with time.IMPORTANCE The implementation of multiple hurdles in the beef production chain has resulted in substantial improvement in the microbial safety of beef in Canada. In this study, we characterized a large number of Escherichia coli isolates (n = 1,450) from various sources/stages of beef processing to determine whether the commonly used antimicrobial interventions would give rise to heat-resistant E. coli on meat, which in turn may require alternatives to the current control of pathogens and/or modifications to the current cooking recommendations for meat. The findings show that the degree and rate of heat resistance in E. coli did not increase along the production chain or with time. This furthers our understanding of man-made ecological niches that are required for the development of heat resistance in E. coli.
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Paquette SJ, Reuter T. Properties of an Antimicrobial Molecule Produced by an Escherichia coli Champion. Antibiotics (Basel) 2019; 9:E6. [PMID: 31877806 PMCID: PMC7168273 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics9010006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2019] [Revised: 12/03/2019] [Accepted: 12/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Over recent decades, the number and frequency of severe pathogen infections have been increasing. Pathogen mitigation strategies in human medicine or in livestock operations are vital to combat emerging arsenals of bacterial virulence and defense mechanisms. Since the emergence of antimicrobial resistance, the competitive nature of bacteria has been considered for the potential treatment or mitigation of pathogens. Previously, we identified a strong E. coli competitor with probiotic properties producing a diffusible antimicrobial molecule(s) that inhibited the growth of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC). Our current objective was to isolate and examine the properties of this antimicrobial molecule(s). Molecules were isolated by filter sterilization after 12 h incubation, and bacterial inhibition was compared to relevant controls. Isolated antimicrobial molecule(s) and controls were subjected to temperature, pH, or protease digestion treatments. Changes in inhibition properties were evaluated by comparing the incremental cell growth in the presence of treated and untreated antimicrobial molecule(s). No treatment affected the antimicrobial molecule(s) properties of STEC inhibition, suggesting that at least one molecule produced is an efficacious microcin. The molecule persistence to physiochemical and enzymatic treatments could open a wide window to technical industry-scale applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah-Jo Paquette
- Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, #100-5401 1st Ave. South, Lethbridge, AB T1J 4V6, Canada;
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Lethbridge, 4401 University Drive West, Lethbridge, AB T1J 4V6, Canada
| | - Tim Reuter
- Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, #100-5401 1st Ave. South, Lethbridge, AB T1J 4V6, Canada;
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Mir RA, Schaut RG, Allen HK, Looft T, Loving CL, Kudva IT, Sharma VK. Cattle intestinal microbiota shifts following Escherichia coli O157:H7 vaccination and colonization. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0226099. [PMID: 31805148 PMCID: PMC6894827 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0226099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Accepted: 11/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Vaccination-induced Escherichia coli O157:H7-specific immune responses have been shown to reduce E. coli O157:H7 shedding in cattle. Although E. coli O157:H7 colonization is correlated with perturbations in intestinal microbial diversity, it is not yet known whether vaccination against E. coli O157:H7 could cause shifts in bovine intestinal microbiota. To understand the impact of E. coli O157:H7 vaccination and colonization on intestinal microbial diversity, cattle were vaccinated with two doses of different E. coli O157:H7 vaccine formulations. Six weeks post-vaccination, the two vaccinated groups (Vx-Ch) and one non-vaccinated group (NonVx-Ch) were orally challenged with E. coli O157:H7. Another group was neither vaccinated nor challenged (NonVx-NonCh). Fecal microbiota analysis over a 30-day period indicated a significant (FDR corrected, p <0.05) association of bacterial community structure with vaccination until E. coli O157:H7 challenge. Shannon diversity index and species richness were significantly lower in vaccinated compared to non-vaccinated groups after E. coli O157:H7 challenge (p < 0.05). The Firmicutes:Bacteroidetes ratio (p > 0.05) was not associated with vaccination but the relative abundance of Proteobacteria was significantly lower (p < 0.05) in vaccinated calves after E. coli O157:H7 challenge. Similarly, Vx-Ch calves had higher relative abundance of Paeniclostridium spp. and Christenellaceae R7 group while Campylobacter spp., and Sutterella spp. were more abundant in NonVx-Ch group post-E. coli O157:H7 challenge. Only Vx-Ch calves had significantly higher (p < 0.001) E. coli O157:H7-specific serum IgG but no detectable E. coli O157:H7-specific IgA. However, E. coli O157:H7-specific IL-10-producing T cells were detected in vaccinated animals prior to challenge, but IFN-γ-producing T cells were not detected. Neither E. coli O157:H7-specific IgG nor IgA were detected in blood or feces, respectively, of NonVx-Ch and NonVx-NonCh groups prior to or post vaccinations. Both Vx-Ch and NonVx-Ch animals shed detectable levels of challenge strain during the course of the study. Despite the lack of protection with the vaccine formulations there were detectable shifts in the microbiota of vaccinated animals before and after challenge with E. coli O157:H7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raies A. Mir
- Food Safety and Enteric Pathogens Research Unit, National Animal Disease Center, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA, United States of America
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), ARS Research Participation Program, Oak Ridge, TN, United States of America
| | - Robert G. Schaut
- Food Safety and Enteric Pathogens Research Unit, National Animal Disease Center, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA, United States of America
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), ARS Research Participation Program, Oak Ridge, TN, United States of America
| | - Heather K. Allen
- Food Safety and Enteric Pathogens Research Unit, National Animal Disease Center, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA, United States of America
| | - Torey Looft
- Food Safety and Enteric Pathogens Research Unit, National Animal Disease Center, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA, United States of America
| | - Crystal L. Loving
- Food Safety and Enteric Pathogens Research Unit, National Animal Disease Center, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA, United States of America
| | - Indira T. Kudva
- Food Safety and Enteric Pathogens Research Unit, National Animal Disease Center, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA, United States of America
- * E-mail: (VKS); (ITK)
| | - Vijay K. Sharma
- Food Safety and Enteric Pathogens Research Unit, National Animal Disease Center, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA, United States of America
- * E-mail: (VKS); (ITK)
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Competition among Escherichia coli Strains for Space and Resources. Vet Sci 2018; 5:vetsci5040093. [PMID: 30400157 PMCID: PMC6313926 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci5040093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2018] [Revised: 10/17/2018] [Accepted: 10/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) are a subgroup of E. coli causing human diseases. Methods to control STEC in livestock and humans are limited. These and other emerging pathogens are a global concern and novel mitigation strategies are required. Habitats populated by bacteria are subjected to competition pressures due to limited space and resources but they use various strategies to compete in natural environments. Our objective was to evaluate non-pathogenic E. coli strains isolated from cattle feces for their ability to out-compete STEC. Competitive fitness of non-pathogenic E. coli against STEC were assessed in competitions using liquid, agar, and nutrient limiting assays. Winners were determined by enumeration using O-serogroup specific quantitative PCR or a semi-quantitative grading. Initial liquid competitions identified two strong non-pathogenic competitors (O103F and O26E) capable of eliminating various STEC including O157 and O111. The strain O103F was dominant across permeable physical barriers for all tested E. coli and STEC strains indicating the diffusion of antimicrobial molecules. In direct contact and even with temporal disadvantages, O103F out-competed STEC O157E. The results suggest that O103F or the diffusible molecule(s) it produces have a potential to be used as an alternative STEC mitigation strategy, either in medicine or the food industry.
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Mir RA, Kudva IT. Antibiotic‐resistant Shiga toxin‐producing
Escherichia coli
: An overview of prevalence and intervention strategies. Zoonoses Public Health 2018; 66:1-13. [DOI: 10.1111/zph.12533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2018] [Accepted: 10/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Raies A. Mir
- Food Safety and Enteric Pathogens Research Unit, National Animal Disease Center, Agricultural Research Service U.S. Department of Agriculture Ames Iowa
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) ARS Research Participation Program Oak Ridge Tennessee
| | - Indira T. Kudva
- Food Safety and Enteric Pathogens Research Unit, National Animal Disease Center, Agricultural Research Service U.S. Department of Agriculture Ames Iowa
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Schlager S, Lepuschitz S, Ruppitsch W, Ableitner O, Pietzka A, Neubauer S, Stöger A, Lassnig H, Mikula C, Springer B, Allerberger F. Petting zoos as sources of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) infections. Int J Med Microbiol 2018; 308:927-932. [PMID: 30257809 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmm.2018.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2018] [Revised: 06/20/2018] [Accepted: 06/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite their general low incidence, Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia (E.) coli (STEC) infections are considered an important public health issue due to the severity of illness that can develop, particularly in young children. We report on two Austrian petting zoos, one in Tyrol (2015) and one in Vorarlberg (2016), which were identified as highly likely infection sources of STEC infections. The petting zoo related cases involved a case of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) due to STEC O157:HNM in 2015 and an outbreak of STEC O157:H7 infections affecting five young children and two adults in 2016. The HUS case accounted for 2.8% of the 36 STEC O157:HNM/H7 infections notified in Austria in 2015 (5,9% of 17 HUS cases). The seven cases described for 2016 accounted for 4.0% of the 177 human STEC infections documented for Austria in 2016, and for 19.4% of the 36 STEC O157:HNM/H7 infections notified that year. The evaluation of the STEC infections described here clearly underlines the potential of sequence-based typing methods to offer suitable resolutions for public health applications. Furthermore, we give a state-of-the-art mini-review on the risks of petting zoos concerning exposure to the zoonotic hazard STEC and on proper measures of risk-prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Schlager
- National Reference Centre for Escherichia coli including Verotoxin producing E. coli, Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety (AGES), Beethovenstraße 6, A-8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Sarah Lepuschitz
- National Reference Centre for Escherichia coli including Verotoxin producing E. coli, Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety (AGES), Beethovenstraße 6, A-8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Werner Ruppitsch
- National Reference Centre for Escherichia coli including Verotoxin producing E. coli, Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety (AGES), Beethovenstraße 6, A-8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Oksana Ableitner
- National Reference Centre for Escherichia coli including Verotoxin producing E. coli, Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety (AGES), Beethovenstraße 6, A-8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Ariane Pietzka
- National Reference Centre for Escherichia coli including Verotoxin producing E. coli, Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety (AGES), Beethovenstraße 6, A-8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Sabine Neubauer
- National Reference Centre for Escherichia coli including Verotoxin producing E. coli, Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety (AGES), Beethovenstraße 6, A-8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Anna Stöger
- National Reference Centre for Escherichia coli including Verotoxin producing E. coli, Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety (AGES), Beethovenstraße 6, A-8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Heimo Lassnig
- National Reference Centre for Escherichia coli including Verotoxin producing E. coli, Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety (AGES), Beethovenstraße 6, A-8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Claudia Mikula
- National Reference Centre for Escherichia coli including Verotoxin producing E. coli, Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety (AGES), Beethovenstraße 6, A-8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Burkhard Springer
- National Reference Centre for Escherichia coli including Verotoxin producing E. coli, Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety (AGES), Beethovenstraße 6, A-8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Franz Allerberger
- National Reference Centre for Escherichia coli including Verotoxin producing E. coli, Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety (AGES), Beethovenstraße 6, A-8010 Graz, Austria.
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Paquette SJ, Stanford K, Thomas J, Reuter T. Quantitative surveillance of shiga toxins 1 and 2, Escherichia coli O178 and O157 in feces of western-Canadian slaughter cattle enumerated by droplet digital PCR with a focus on seasonality and slaughterhouse location. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0195880. [PMID: 29649278 PMCID: PMC5897018 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0195880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [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: 02/06/2018] [Accepted: 03/31/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Often Escherichia coli are harmless and/or beneficial bacteria inhabiting the gastrointestinal tract of livestock and humans. However, Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) have been linked to human disease. Cattle are the primary reservoir for STEC and STEC “super-shedders” are considered to be a major contributor in animal to animal transmission. Among STEC, O157:H7 is the most recognized serotype, but in recent years, non-O157 STEC have been increasingly linked to human disease. In Argentina and Germany, O178 is considered an emerging pathogen. Our objective was to compare populations of E. coli O178, O157, shiga toxin 1 and 2 in western Canadian cattle feces from a sampling pool of ~80,000 beef cattle collected at two slaughterhouses. Conventional PCR was utilized to screen 1,773 samples for presence/absence of E. coli O178. A subset of samples (n = 168) was enumerated using droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) and proportions of O178, O157 and shiga toxins 1 & 2 specific-fragments were calculated as a proportion of generic E. coli (GEC) specific-fragments. Distribution of stx1 and stx2 was determined by comparing stx1, stx2 and O157 enumerations. Conventional PCR detected the presence of O178 in 873 of 1,773 samples and ddPCR found the average proportion of O178, O157, stx1 and stx2 in the samples 2.8%, 0.6%, 1.4% and 0.5%, respectively. Quantification of stx1 and stx2 revealed more virulence genes than could be exclusively attributed to O157. Our results confirmed the presence of E. coli O178 in western Canadian cattle and ddPCR revealed O178 as a greater proportion of GEC than was O157. Our results suggests: I) O178 may be an emerging subgroup in Canada and II) monitoring virulence genes may be a more relevant target for food-safety STEC surveillance compared to current serogroup screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah-Jo Paquette
- Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
- University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
| | - Kim Stanford
- Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
| | - James Thomas
- University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
| | - Tim Reuter
- Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
- * E-mail:
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Conrad CC, Stanford K, Narvaez-Bravo C, Callaway T, McAllister T. Farm Fairs and Petting Zoos: A Review of Animal Contact as a Source of Zoonotic Enteric Disease. Foodborne Pathog Dis 2017; 14:59-73. [DOI: 10.1089/fpd.2016.2185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Cheyenne C. Conrad
- Lethbridge Agricultural Research Centre, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
- Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
- Canadian Association of Fairs and Exhibitions, Brandon, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Kim Stanford
- Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
| | | | - Todd Callaway
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, College Station, Texas
| | - Tim McAllister
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lethbridge Research Centre, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
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O'Ryan M, Vidal R, del Canto F, Carlos Salazar J, Montero D. Vaccines for viral and bacterial pathogens causing acute gastroenteritis: Part II: Vaccines for Shigella, Salmonella, enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) enterohemorragic E. coli (EHEC) and Campylobacter jejuni. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2015; 11:601-19. [PMID: 25715096 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2015.1011578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
In Part II we discuss the following bacterial pathogens: Shigella, Salmonella (non-typhoidal), diarrheogenic E. coli (enterotoxigenic and enterohemorragic) and Campylobacter jejuni. In contrast to the enteric viruses and Vibrio cholerae discussed in Part I of this series, for the bacterial pathogens described here there is only one licensed vaccine, developed primarily for Vibrio cholerae and which provides moderate protection against enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) (Dukoral(®)), as well as a few additional candidates in advanced stages of development for ETEC and one candidate for Shigella spp. Numerous vaccine candidates in earlier stages of development are discussed.
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Key Words
- CFU, colony-forming units
- CFs, colonization factors
- CT, cholera toxin
- CT-B cholera toxin B subunit
- Campylobacter
- CtdB, cytolethal distending toxin subunit B
- E. coli
- EHEC
- EPEC, enteropathogenic E. coli
- ETEC
- ETEC, enterotoxigenic E. coli
- GEMS, Global enterics multicenter study
- HUS, hemolytic uremic syndrome
- IM, intramuscular
- IgA, immunoglobulin A
- IgG, immunoglobulin G
- IgM, immunoglobulin M
- LEE, locus of enterocyte effacement
- LPS, lipopolysaccharide
- LT, heat labile toxin
- LT-B
- OMV, outer membrane vesicles
- ST, heat stable toxin
- STEC
- STEC, shigatoxin producing E. coli
- STh, human heat stable toxin
- STp, porcine heat stable toxin
- Salmonella
- Shigella
- Stx, shigatoxin
- TTSS, type III secretion system
- V. cholera
- WHO, World Health Organization
- acute diarrhea
- dmLT, double mutant heat labile toxin
- enteric pathogens
- enterohemorrhagic E. coli
- gastroenteritis
- heat labile toxin B subunit
- norovirus
- rEPA, recombinant exoprotein A of Pseudomonas aeruginosa
- rotavirus
- vaccines
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel O'Ryan
- a Microbiology and Mycology Program; Institute of Biomedical Sciences; Faculty of Medicine; Universidad de Chile; Santiago, Chile
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McNeilly TN, Mitchell MC, Corbishley A, Nath M, Simmonds H, McAteer SP, Mahajan A, Low JC, Smith DGE, Huntley JF, Gally DL. Optimizing the Protection of Cattle against Escherichia coli O157:H7 Colonization through Immunization with Different Combinations of H7 Flagellin, Tir, Intimin-531 or EspA. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0128391. [PMID: 26020530 PMCID: PMC4447243 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0128391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2015] [Accepted: 04/24/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) are important human pathogens, causing hemorrhagic colitis and hemolytic uraemic syndrome in humans. E. coli O157:H7 is the most common serotype associated with EHEC infections worldwide, although other non-O157 serotypes cause life-threatening infections. Cattle are a main reservoir of EHEC and intervention strategies aimed at limiting EHEC excretion from cattle are predicted to lower the risk of human infection. We have previously shown that immunization of calves with recombinant versions of the type III secretion system (T3SS)-associated proteins EspA, intimin and Tir from EHEC O157:H7 significantly reduced shedding of EHEC O157 from experimentally-colonized calves, and that protection could be augmented by the addition of H7 flagellin to the vaccine formulation. The main aim of the present study was to optimize our current EHEC O157 subunit vaccine formulations by identifying the key combinations of these antigens required for protection. A secondary aim was to determine if vaccine-induced antibody responses exhibited cross-reactive potential with antigens from other EHEC serotypes. Immunization with EspA, intimin and Tir resulted in a reduction in mean EHEC O157 shedding following challenge, but not the mean proportion of calves colonized. Removal of Tir resulted in more prolonged shedding compared with all other groups, whereas replacement of Tir with H7 flagellin resulted in the highest levels of protection, both in terms of reducing both mean EHEC O157 shedding and the proportion of colonized calves. Immunization of calves with recombinant EHEC O157 EspA, intimin and Tir resulted in the generation of antibodies capable of cross-reacting with antigens from non-O157 EHEC serotypes, suggesting that immunization with these antigens may provide a degree of cross-protection against other EHEC serotypes. Further studies are now required to test the efficacy of these vaccines in the field, and to formally test the cross-protective potential of the vaccines against other non-O157 EHEC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom N. McNeilly
- Moredun Research Institute, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | | | - Alexander Corbishley
- Moredun Research Institute, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Division of Immunity and Infection, The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Mintu Nath
- Biomathematics and Statistics Scotland, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Hannah Simmonds
- Division of Immunity and Infection, The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Sean P. McAteer
- Division of Immunity and Infection, The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Arvind Mahajan
- Division of Immunity and Infection, The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - J. Christopher Low
- Division of Immunity and Infection, The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - David G. E. Smith
- Moredun Research Institute, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Institute of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | | | - David L. Gally
- Division of Immunity and Infection, The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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Munns KD, Selinger LB, Stanford K, Guan L, Callaway TR, McAllister TA. Perspectives on super-shedding of Escherichia coli O157:H7 by cattle. Foodborne Pathog Dis 2014; 12:89-103. [PMID: 25514549 DOI: 10.1089/fpd.2014.1829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Escherichia coli O157:H7 is a foodborne pathogen that causes illness in humans worldwide. Cattle are the primary reservoir of this bacterium, with the concentration and frequency of E. coli O157:H7 shedding varying greatly among individuals. The term "super-shedder" has been applied to cattle that shed concentrations of E. coli O157:H7 ≥ 10⁴ colony-forming units/g feces. Super-shedders have been reported to have a substantial impact on the prevalence and transmission of E. coli O157:H7 in the environment. The specific factors responsible for super-shedding are unknown, but are presumably mediated by characteristics of the bacterium, animal host, and environment. Super-shedding is sporadic and inconsistent, suggesting that biofilms of E. coli O157:H7 colonizing the intestinal epithelium in cattle are intermittently released into feces. Phenotypic and genotypic differences have been noted in E. coli O157:H7 recovered from super-shedders as compared to low-shedding cattle, including differences in phage type (PT21/28), carbon utilization, degree of clonal relatedness, tir polymorphisms, and differences in the presence of stx2a and stx2c, as well as antiterminator Q gene alleles. There is also some evidence to support that the native fecal microbiome is distinct between super-shedders and low-shedders and that low-shedders have higher levels of lytic phage within feces. Consequently, conditions within the host may determine whether E. coli O157:H7 can proliferate sufficiently for the host to obtain super-shedding status. Targeting super-shedders for mitigation of E. coli O157:H7 has been proposed as a means of reducing the incidence and spread of this pathogen to the environment. If super-shedders could be easily identified, strategies such as bacteriophage therapy, probiotics, vaccination, or dietary inclusion of plant secondary compounds could be specifically targeted at this subpopulation. Evidence that super-shedder isolates share a commonality with isolates linked to human illness makes it imperative that the etiology of this phenomenon be characterized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krysty D Munns
- 1 Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lethbridge Research Centre , Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
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