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de Melo Tavares R, Sereno MJ, Nunes da Cruz Encide Sampaio A, Pereira JG, Bersot LDS, Yamatogi RS, Call DR, Nero LA. Characterization of diarrheagenic Escherichia coli from different cattle production systems in Brazil. Food Microbiol 2024; 121:104508. [PMID: 38637072 DOI: 10.1016/j.fm.2024.104508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2023] [Revised: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
Diarrheagenic E. coli (DEC) can cause severe diarrhea and is a public health concern worldwide. Cattle are an important reservoir for this group of pathogens, and once introduced into the abattoir environment, these microorganisms can contaminate consumer products. This study aimed to characterize the distribution of DEC [Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), enteroinvasive E. coli (EIEC), enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC), enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC), and enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC)] from extensive and intensive cattle production systems in Brazil. Samples (n = 919) were collected from animal feces (n = 200), carcasses (n = 600), meat cuts (n = 90), employee feces (n = 9), and slaughterhouse water (n = 20). Virulence genes were detected by PCR in 10% of animal samples (94/919), with STEC (n = 81) as the higher prevalence, followed by EIEC (n = 8), and lastly EPEC (n = 5). Animals raised in an extensive system had a higher prevalence of STEC (average 48%, sd = 2.04) when compared to animals raised in an intensive system (23%, sd = 1.95) (Chi-square test, P < 0.001). From these animals, most STEC isolates only harbored stx2 (58%), and 7% were STEC LEE-positive isolates that were further identified as O157:H7. This study provides further evidence that cattle are potential sources of DEC, especially STEC, and that potentially pathogenic E. coli isolates are widely distributed in feces and carcasses during the slaughter process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafaela de Melo Tavares
- Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Departamento de Veterinária, Laboratório de Inspeção de Produtos de Origem Animal (InsPOA), Av. PH Rolfs, s/n, Campus Universitário, 36570-900, Viçosa, MG, Brazil
| | - Mallu Jagnow Sereno
- Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Departamento de Veterinária, Laboratório de Inspeção de Produtos de Origem Animal (InsPOA), Av. PH Rolfs, s/n, Campus Universitário, 36570-900, Viçosa, MG, Brazil
| | - Aryele Nunes da Cruz Encide Sampaio
- Universidade Estadual de São Paulo (UNESP), Botucatu Campus, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Distrito de Rubião Jr, SN, 18618-970, Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - Juliano Gonçalves Pereira
- Universidade Estadual de São Paulo (UNESP), Botucatu Campus, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Distrito de Rubião Jr, SN, 18618-970, Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - Luciano Dos Santos Bersot
- Universidade Federal do Paraná, Palotina Campus, Departamento de Ciências Veterinárias, Rua Pioneiro, 2153, Jardim Dallas, 85950-000, Palotina, PR, Brazil
| | - Ricardo Seiti Yamatogi
- Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Departamento de Veterinária, Laboratório de Inspeção de Produtos de Origem Animal (InsPOA), Av. PH Rolfs, s/n, Campus Universitário, 36570-900, Viçosa, MG, Brazil
| | - Douglas Ruben Call
- Paul G. Allen School for Global Health, Washington State University, 240 SE Ott Road, PO Box 647090, 99164-7090, Pullman, WA, USA
| | - Luís Augusto Nero
- Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Departamento de Veterinária, Laboratório de Inspeção de Produtos de Origem Animal (InsPOA), Av. PH Rolfs, s/n, Campus Universitário, 36570-900, Viçosa, MG, Brazil.
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Li Q, Fang W, Chen S, Li G, Jiang C, Zhuang Y, Li L, Liu P, Guo X, Hu G, Liu P, Gao X. Characterization of Escherichia coli pathogenicity and drug resistance in yolk peritonitis. Poult Sci 2024; 103:103814. [PMID: 38718538 PMCID: PMC11097060 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2024.103814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2024] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Yolk Peritonitis can lead to a rapid decline in egg production, which seriously affects the health of laying hens and the profitability of chicken farms. Escherichia coli (E. coli) is the most common cause of yolk peritonitis in laying hens. In this study, bacterial samples were collected from the ovaries and fallopian tubes of laying hens with suspected yolk peritonitis from a laying farm in Jiangsu Province, and their pathogenicity and drug resistance were investigated. Initially, morphological and biochemical detection methods were employed to isolate and identify the pathogenic bacteria. The results showed that a total of 16 strains of E. coli were isolated from laying hens with yolk peritonitis. Subsequently, the drug resistance and pathogenicity of a randomly selected E. coli strain were analyzed and predicted by genome sequencing technology, and the drug resistance of E. coli was verified by drug sensitivity test and PCR. Finally, the virulence was verified by infection experiment in mice. The study revealed that the egg-yolk peritonitis in laying hens was caused by E. coli infection, and the genome sequencing analysis revealed that the bacteria had multidrug resistance and high virulence. The drug susceptibility testing indicates that E. coli exhibited resistance to aminoglycosides, β-lactam, macrolides, fluoroquinolones, and sulfonamides. In this study, resistance genes including KdpE, aadA5, APH(3 ")-ID, APH(6)-ID, and TEM-1 were identified, and their expression levels varied across different stages of bacterial growth. The results of virulence analysis indicated a mortality rate of 50% in mice infected with E. coli at a concentration of 2.985 × 107 CFU/mL. E. coli infection resulted in damage to various tissues and organs in mice, with the intestinal tissue structure being the most severely affected. This study provides a reference for the study of drug resistance mechanisms in E. coli and provides valuable insights into the selection of drugs for the treatment of vitelline peritonitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingqing Li
- Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory for Animal Health, Institute of Animal Population Health, College of Animal Science and Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Zhangshu 331200, PR China
| | - Weile Fang
- Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory for Animal Health, Institute of Animal Population Health, College of Animal Science and Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Zhangshu 331200, PR China
| | - Shupeng Chen
- Jiangxi Agricultural Engineering Vocational college, Nanchang 330045, PR China
| | - Guyue Li
- Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory for Animal Health, Institute of Animal Population Health, College of Animal Science and Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Zhangshu 331200, PR China
| | - Chenxi Jiang
- Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory for Animal Health, Institute of Animal Population Health, College of Animal Science and Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Zhangshu 331200, PR China
| | - Yu Zhuang
- Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory for Animal Health, Institute of Animal Population Health, College of Animal Science and Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Zhangshu 331200, PR China
| | - Lin Li
- Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory for Animal Health, Institute of Animal Population Health, College of Animal Science and Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Zhangshu 331200, PR China
| | - Pei Liu
- Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory for Animal Health, Institute of Animal Population Health, College of Animal Science and Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Zhangshu 331200, PR China
| | - Xiaoquan Guo
- Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory for Animal Health, Institute of Animal Population Health, College of Animal Science and Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Zhangshu 331200, PR China
| | - Guoliang Hu
- Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory for Animal Health, Institute of Animal Population Health, College of Animal Science and Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Zhangshu 331200, PR China
| | - Ping Liu
- Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory for Animal Health, Institute of Animal Population Health, College of Animal Science and Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Zhangshu 331200, PR China
| | - Xiaona Gao
- Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory for Animal Health, Institute of Animal Population Health, College of Animal Science and Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Zhangshu 331200, PR China.
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Moazeni S, Askari Badouei M, Hashemitabar G, Rezatofighi SE, Mahmoodi F. Detection and characterization of potentially hybrid enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC) strains isolated from urinary tract infection. Braz J Microbiol 2024; 55:1-9. [PMID: 38036848 PMCID: PMC10920591 DOI: 10.1007/s42770-023-01195-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) have the potential to receive the virulence markers of intestinal pathotypes and transform into various important hybrid pathotypes. This study aimed to investigate the frequency and characteristics of hybrid enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC)/UPEC strains. Out of 202 UPEC strains, nine (4.5%) were detected as hybrid EAEC/UPEC. These strains carried one to four iron uptake systems. Among nine investigated pathogenicity islands (PAIs), PAI IV536, PAI II536, and PAI ICFT073 were found in 9 (100%), 3 (33.3%), and 1 (11.1%) strains, respectively. The chuA and sitA genes were detected in 5 (55.5%) and 3 (33.3%) hybrid strains, respectively. Six hybrid strains were found to be typical extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC) according to their virulence traits. Most of the hybrid strains belonged to the phylogenetic group E (6/9). Among the hybrid strains, seven (7/9) were able to form biofilm and adhere to cells; however, only two strains penetrated into the HeLa cells. Our findings reveal some of the virulence characteristics of hybrid strains that lead to fitness and infection in the urinary tract. These strains, with virulence factors of intestinal and non-intestinal pathotypes, may become emerging pathogens in clinical settings; therefore, further studies are needed to reveal their pathogenicity mechanisms and so that preventive measures can be taken.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shima Moazeni
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mahdi Askari Badouei
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.
| | - Gholamreza Hashemitabar
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
| | | | - Fahimeh Mahmoodi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran
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Qiu L, Chirman D, Clark JR, Xing Y, Hernandez Santos H, Vaughan EE, Maresso AW. Vaccines against extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli (ExPEC): progress and challenges. Gut Microbes 2024; 16:2359691. [PMID: 38825856 PMCID: PMC11152113 DOI: 10.1080/19490976.2024.2359691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024] Open
Abstract
The emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a principal global health crisis projected to cause 10 million deaths annually worldwide by 2050. While the Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli is commonly found as a commensal microbe in the human gut, some strains are dangerously pathogenic, contributing to the highest AMR-associated mortality. Strains of E. coli that can translocate from the gastrointestinal tract to distal sites, called extraintestinal E. coli (ExPEC), are particularly problematic and predominantly afflict women, the elderly, and immunocompromised populations. Despite nearly 40 years of clinical trials, there is still no vaccine against ExPEC. One reason for this is the remarkable diversity in the ExPEC pangenome across pathotypes, clades, and strains, with hundreds of genes associated with pathogenesis including toxins, adhesins, and nutrient acquisition systems. Further, ExPEC is intimately associated with human mucosal surfaces and has evolved creative strategies to avoid the immune system. This review summarizes previous and ongoing preclinical and clinical ExPEC vaccine research efforts to help identify key gaps in knowledge and remaining challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Qiu
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Dylan Chirman
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Justin R. Clark
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Tailored Antibacterials and Innovative Laboratories for Phage (Φ) Research (TAILΦR), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Yikun Xing
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Haroldo Hernandez Santos
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Tailored Antibacterials and Innovative Laboratories for Phage (Φ) Research (TAILΦR), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Ellen E. Vaughan
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Anthony W. Maresso
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Tailored Antibacterials and Innovative Laboratories for Phage (Φ) Research (TAILΦR), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
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Trinh P, Clausen DS, Willis AD. happi: a hierarchical approach to pangenomics inference. Genome Biol 2023; 24:214. [PMID: 37773075 PMCID: PMC10540326 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-023-03040-6] [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: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Recovering metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) from shotgun sequencing data is an increasingly common task in microbiome studies, as MAGs provide deeper insight into the functional potential of both culturable and non-culturable microorganisms. However, metagenome-assembled genomes vary in quality and may contain omissions and contamination. These errors present challenges for detecting genes and comparing gene enrichment across sample types. To address this, we propose happi, an approach to testing hypotheses about gene enrichment that accounts for genome quality. We illustrate the advantages of happi over existing approaches using published Saccharibacteria MAGs, Streptococcus thermophilus MAGs, and via simulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pauline Trinh
- Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - David S Clausen
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Amy D Willis
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
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Yang X, Tran F, Zhang P. Comparative Genomic Analyses of Escherichia coli from a Meat Processing Environment in Relation to Their Biofilm Formation and Persistence. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0018323. [PMID: 37184412 PMCID: PMC10269509 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00183-23] [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: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023] Open
Abstract
We investigated the phylogeny of biofilm forming (BF) and nonbiofilm forming (NBF) Escherichia coli (n = 114) from a beef processing environment as well as genetic elements in their BF and persistence via a comparative genomic analysis. Phylogroup B1 made up the largest proportion of both the BF (73.8%) and NBF (50.9%) groups. E. coli from all of the sources that were examined had mixed phylogroups, except for those that were recovered from equipment after cleaning, which were exclusively from phylogroup B1. Both the core genome and gene content trees showed a tree-wide spread of BF strains, with clusters, including both BF and NBF strains. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) via Scoary or Pyseer did not find any genes or mutations that were overrepresented in the BF group. A retrospective analysis of phenotypes found a significant correlation (P < 0.05) between BF ability and curli production, cellulose synthesis, and/or mobility. However, the BF group also included strains that were negative for curli and cellulose and/or missing encoding genes for the two traits. All curli and cellulose encoding genes were present in most genomes, regardless of their BF status. The degree of motility was correlated with both curli and cellulose production, and 80 common genes were overrepresented in all three of the trait-positive groups. A PTS enzyme II, a subsidiary gluconate catabolism pathway, and an iron-dicitrate transport system were more abundant in the persisting E. coli group. These findings suggest gene function redundancy in E. coli for biofilm formation as well as additional substrate utilization and iron acquisition in its persistence. IMPORTANCE The persistence of potentially hazardous bacteria is a major challenge for meat processing environments, which are conducive for biofilm formation. Marker genes/phenotypes are commonly used to differentiate biofilm forming E. coli strains from their nonbiofilm forming counterparts. We took a comparative genomic analysis approach to analyze E. coli strains that were from the same environment but were differentiated by their biofilm forming ability. A diversification of the genes involved in the biofilm formation of E. coli was observed. Even though there is a correlation on the population level between biofilm formation and the expression of curli and cellulose, uncertainties exist on the individual strain level. Novel substrate utilization and iron acquisition could contribute to the persistence of E. coli. These findings not only advance our understanding of the ecology of E. coli with respect to its persistence but also show that a marker gene/phenotype driven approach for the biofilm control of E. coli may not be prudent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianqin Yang
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lacombe, Alberta, Canada
| | - Frances Tran
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lacombe, Alberta, Canada
| | - Peipei Zhang
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lacombe, Alberta, Canada
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Okuno M, Arimizu Y, Miyahara S, Wakabayashi Y, Gotoh Y, Yoshino S, Harada T, Seto K, Yamamoto T, Nakamura K, Hayashi T, Ogura Y. Escherichia cryptic clade I is an emerging source of human intestinal pathogens. BMC Biol 2023; 21:81. [PMID: 37055811 PMCID: PMC10100065 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-023-01584-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Within the genus Escherichia, several monophyletic clades other than the traditionally defined species have been identified. Of these, cryptic clade I (C-I) appears to represent a subspecies of E. coli, but due to the difficulty in distinguishing it from E. coli sensu stricto, the population structure and virulence potential of C-I are unclear. RESULTS We defined a set of true C-I strains (n = 465), including a Shiga toxin 2a (Stx2a)-producing isolate from a patient with bloody diarrhoea identified by the retrospective analyses using a C-I-specific detection system. Through genomic analysis of 804 isolates from the cryptic clades, including these C-I strains, we revealed their global population structures and the marked accumulation of virulence genes and antimicrobial resistance genes in C-I. In particular, half of the C-I strains contained hallmark virulence genes of Stx-producing E. coli (STEC) and/or enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC). We also found the host-specific distributions of virulence genes, which suggests bovines as the potential source of human infections caused by STEC- and STEC/ETEC hybrid-type C-I strains, as is known in STEC. CONCLUSIONS Our findings demonstrate the emergence of human intestinal pathogens in C-I lineage. To better understand the features of C-I strains and their infections, extensive surveillance and larger population studies of C-I strains are needed. The C-I-specific detection system developed in this study will be a powerful tool for screening and identifying C-I strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miki Okuno
- Division of Microbiology, Department of Infectious Medicine, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Fukuoka, 830-0011, Japan
| | - Yoko Arimizu
- Department of Bacteriology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
- Department of Infectious Disease, National Hospital Organization Kyushu Medical Center, Fukuoka, 810-0065, Japan
| | - Seina Miyahara
- Department of Microbiology, Miyazaki Prefectural Institute for Public Health and Environment, Miyazaki, 889-2155, Japan
| | - Yuki Wakabayashi
- Division of Microbiology, Osaka Institute of Public Health, Osaka, 537-0025, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Gotoh
- Department of Bacteriology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Shuji Yoshino
- Department of Microbiology, Miyazaki Prefectural Institute for Public Health and Environment, Miyazaki, 889-2155, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Harada
- Division of Microbiology, Osaka Institute of Public Health, Osaka, 537-0025, Japan
| | - Kazuko Seto
- Division of Planning, Osaka Institute of Public Health, Osaka, 537-0025, Japan
| | - Takeshi Yamamoto
- Division of Microbiology, Department of Infectious Medicine, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Fukuoka, 830-0011, Japan
| | - Keiji Nakamura
- Department of Bacteriology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Hayashi
- Department of Bacteriology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Yoshitoshi Ogura
- Division of Microbiology, Department of Infectious Medicine, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Fukuoka, 830-0011, Japan.
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Genomic diversity of non-diarrheagenic fecal Escherichia coli from children in sub-Saharan Africa and south Asia and their relatedness to diarrheagenic E. coli. Nat Commun 2023; 14:1400. [PMID: 36918537 PMCID: PMC10011798 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-36337-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Escherichia coli is a frequent member of the healthy human gastrointestinal microbiota, as well as an important human pathogen. Previous studies have focused on the genomic diversity of the pathogenic E. coli and much remains unknown about the non-diarrheagenic E. coli residing in the human gut, particularly among young children in low and middle income countries. Also, gaining additional insight into non-diarrheagenic E. coli is important for understanding gut health as non-diarrheagenic E. coli can prevent infection by diarrheagenic bacteria. In this study we examine the genomic diversity of non-diarrheagenic fecal E. coli from male and female children with or without diarrhea from countries in sub-Saharan Africa and south Asia as part of the Global Enteric Multicenter Study (GEMS). We find that these E. coli exhibit considerable genetic diversity as they were identified in all E. coli phylogroups and an Escherichia cryptic clade. Although these fecal E. coli lack the characteristic virulence factors of diarrheagenic E. coli pathotypes, many exhibit remarkable genomic similarity to previously described diarrheagenic isolates with differences attributed to mobile elements. This raises an important question of whether these non-diarrheagenic fecal E. coli may have at one time possessed the mobile element-encoded virulence factors of diarrheagenic pathotypes or may have the potential to acquire these virulence factors.
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Pokharel P, Dhakal S, Dozois CM. The Diversity of Escherichia coli Pathotypes and Vaccination Strategies against This Versatile Bacterial Pathogen. Microorganisms 2023; 11:344. [PMID: 36838308 PMCID: PMC9965155 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11020344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a gram-negative bacillus and resident of the normal intestinal microbiota. However, some E. coli strains can cause diseases in humans, other mammals and birds ranging from intestinal infections, for example, diarrhea and dysentery, to extraintestinal infections, such as urinary tract infections, respiratory tract infections, meningitis, and sepsis. In terms of morbidity and mortality, pathogenic E. coli has a great impact on public health, with an economic cost of several billion dollars annually worldwide. Antibiotics are not usually used as first-line treatment for diarrheal illness caused by E. coli and in the case of bloody diarrhea, antibiotics are avoided due to the increased risk of hemolytic uremic syndrome. On the other hand, extraintestinal infections are treated with various antibiotics depending on the site of infection and susceptibility testing. Several alarming papers concerning the rising antibiotic resistance rates in E. coli strains have been published. The silent pandemic of multidrug-resistant bacteria including pathogenic E. coli that have become more difficult to treat favored prophylactic approaches such as E. coli vaccines. This review provides an overview of the pathogenesis of different pathotypes of E. coli, the virulence factors involved and updates on the major aspects of vaccine development against different E. coli pathotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pravil Pokharel
- Centre Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS), 531 Boul des Prairies, Laval, QC H7V 1B7, Canada
- Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie Porcine et Avicole (CRIPA), Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal Saint-Hyacinthe, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC J2S 2M2, Canada
| | - Sabin Dhakal
- Centre Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS), 531 Boul des Prairies, Laval, QC H7V 1B7, Canada
- Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie Porcine et Avicole (CRIPA), Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal Saint-Hyacinthe, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC J2S 2M2, Canada
| | - Charles M. Dozois
- Centre Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS), 531 Boul des Prairies, Laval, QC H7V 1B7, Canada
- Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie Porcine et Avicole (CRIPA), Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal Saint-Hyacinthe, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC J2S 2M2, Canada
- Pasteur Network, Laval, QC H7V 1B7, Canada
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Khawaskar D, Anbazhagan S, Balusamy D, Inbaraj S, Verma A, Vinodh Kumar OR, Nagaleekar VK, Sinha DK, Chaudhuri P, Singh BR, Chaturvedi VK, Thomas P. A comparative genomics approach for identifying genetic factors in Escherichia coli isolates associated with bovine diseases. J Appl Microbiol 2022; 133:3490-3501. [PMID: 36648155 DOI: 10.1111/jam.15781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Revised: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Escherichia coli are ubiquitously present bacterial pathogens that cause septicaemia, diarrhoea and other clinical illness in farm animals. Many pathogen factors can be associated with disease conditions. Currently, studies inferring E. coli genetic factors associated with infection in bovines are limited. Hence, the present study envisaged to determine the pathogen genetic factors associated with bovine disease conditions. METHOD AND RESULTS The comparative genomic analysis involved genome sequence data of 135 diseased and 145 healthy bovine origin E. coli strains. Phylogroups A and C, as well as pathotypes ExPEC and EPEC, were found to have a strong connection with bovine disease strains. STEC strains, including EHEC, seem to play a less important role in bovine disease. Sequence types (STs) predominant among strains from diarrhoeal origin were ST 301 (CC 165) and ST 342. Correlation of core genome phylogeny with accessory gene based clustering, phylogroups and pathotypes indicated lineage specific virulence factors mostly associated with disease conditions. CONCLUSIONS Comparative genomic analysis was applied to infer genetic factors significant in bovine disease origin E. coli strains. Isolates from bovine disease origin were enriched for the phylogroups A and C, and for the pathotypes ExPEC and EPEC. However, there was minimal evidence of STEC involvement. The study also indicated predominant genetic lineages and virulence genes (pap, sfa and afa) associated with disease origin strains. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF STUDY;: The study revealed significant pathotypes, phylgroups, serotypes and sequence types associated with bovine disease conditions. These identified genetic factors can be applied for disease diagnosis, implementing vaccine and therapeutic measures. In addition, E. coli isolates from the bovine species revealed a complex pattern of disease epidemiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damini Khawaskar
- Division of Epidemiology, ICAR- Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly - 243122, Uttar Pradesh
| | - Subbaiyan Anbazhagan
- Division of Bacteriology and Mycology, ICAR- Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly - 243122, Uttar Pradesh.,ICMR-National Animal Resource Facility for Biomedical Research, Hyderabad
| | - Dhayanath Balusamy
- Division of Epidemiology, ICAR- Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly - 243122, Uttar Pradesh
| | - Sophia Inbaraj
- Division of Bacteriology and Mycology, ICAR- Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly - 243122, Uttar Pradesh
| | - Abhishek Verma
- Division of Bacteriology and Mycology, ICAR- Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly - 243122, Uttar Pradesh
| | | | - Viswas Konasagara Nagaleekar
- Division of Bacteriology and Mycology, ICAR- Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly - 243122, Uttar Pradesh
| | - Dharmendra K Sinha
- Division of Epidemiology, ICAR- Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly - 243122, Uttar Pradesh
| | - Pallab Chaudhuri
- Division of Epidemiology, ICAR- Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly - 243122, Uttar Pradesh
| | - Bhoj R Singh
- Division of Epidemiology, ICAR- Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly - 243122, Uttar Pradesh
| | - V K Chaturvedi
- Division of Bacteriology and Mycology, ICAR- Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly - 243122, Uttar Pradesh
| | - Prasad Thomas
- Division of Bacteriology and Mycology, ICAR- Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly - 243122, Uttar Pradesh
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11
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The Population Genomics of Increased Virulence and Antibiotic Resistance in Human Commensal Escherichia coli over 30 Years in France. Appl Environ Microbiol 2022; 88:e0066422. [PMID: 35862685 PMCID: PMC9361829 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00664-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Escherichia coli is a commensal species of the lower intestine but is also a major pathogen causing intestinal and extraintestinal infections that is increasingly prevalent and resistant to antibiotics. Most studies on genomic evolution of E. coli used isolates from infections. Here, instead, we whole-genome sequenced a collection of 403 commensal E. coli isolates from fecal samples of healthy adult volunteers in France (1980 to 2010). These isolates were distributed mainly in phylogroups A and B2 (30% each) and belonged to 152 sequence types (STs), the five most frequent being ST10 (phylogroup A; 16.3%), ST73 and ST95 (phylogroup B2; 6.3 and 5.0%, respectively), ST69 (phylogroup D; 4.2%), and ST59 (phylogroup F; 3.9%), and 224 O:H serotypes. ST and serotype diversity increased over time. The O1, O2, O6, and O25 groups used in bioconjugate O-antigen vaccine against extraintestinal infections were found in 23% of the strains of our collection. The increase in frequency of virulence-associated genes and antibiotic resistance was driven by two evolutionary mechanisms. Evolution of virulence gene frequency was driven by both clonal expansion of STs with more virulence genes ("ST-driven") and increases in gene frequency within STs independent of changes in ST frequencies ("gene-driven"). In contrast, the evolution of resistance was dominated by increases in frequency within STs ("gene-driven"). This study provides a unique picture of the phylogenomic evolution of E. coli in its human commensal habitat over 30 years and will have implications for the development of preventive strategies. IMPORTANCE Escherichia coli is an opportunistic pathogen with the greatest burden of antibiotic resistance, one of the main causes of bacterial infections and an increasing concern in an aging population. Deciphering the evolutionary dynamics of virulence and antibiotic resistance in commensal E. coli is important to understand adaptation and anticipate future changes. The gut of vertebrates is the primary habitat of E. coli and probably where selection for virulence and resistance takes place. Unfortunately, most whole-genome-sequenced strains are isolated from pathogenic conditions. Here, we whole-genome sequenced 403 E. coli commensals isolated from healthy French subjects over a 30-year period. Virulence genes increased in frequency by both clonal expansion of clones carrying them and increases in frequency within clones, whereas resistance genes increased by within-clone increased frequency. Prospective studies of E. coli commensals should be performed worldwide to have a broader picture of evolution and adaptation of this species.
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12
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Ledwaba SE, Bolick DT, de Medeiros PHQS, Kolling GL, Traore AN, Potgieter N, Nataro JP, Guerrant RL. Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) expressing a non-functional bundle-forming pili (BFP) also leads to increased growth failure and intestinal inflammation in C57BL/6 mice. Braz J Microbiol 2022; 53:1781-1787. [PMID: 35882715 PMCID: PMC9679052 DOI: 10.1007/s42770-022-00802-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Bundle-forming pili (BFP) are implicated in the virulence of typical enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC), resulting in enhanced colonization and mild to severe disease outcomes; hence, non-functional BFP may have a major influence on disease outcomes in vivo. Weaned antibiotic pre-treated C57BL/6 mice were orally infected with EPEC strain UMD901 (E2348/69 bfpA C129S); mice were monitored daily for body weight; stool specimens were collected daily; and intestinal tissues were collected at the termination of the experiment on day 3 post-infection. Real-time PCR was used to quantify fecal shedding and tissue burden. Intestinal inflammatory biomarkers lipocalin-2 (LCN-2) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) were also assessed. Infection caused substantial body weight loss, bloody diarrhea, and intestinal colonization with fecal and intestinal tissue inflammatory biomarkers that were comparable to those previously published with the wild-type typical EPEC strain. Here we further report on the evaluation of an EPEC infection model, showing how disruption of bfp function does not impair, and may even worsen diarrhea, colonization, and intestinal disruption and inflammation. More research is needed to understand the role of bfp in pathogenicity of EPEC infections in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Solanka Ellen Ledwaba
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture, University of Venda, Thohoyandou, Limpopo Province South Africa
| | - David Thomas Bolick
- Division of Infectious Disease and International Health, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA USA
| | | | - Glynis Luanne Kolling
- Division of Infectious Disease and International Health, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA USA ,Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virgina, Charlottesville, VA USA
| | - Afsatou Ndama Traore
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture, University of Venda, Thohoyandou, Limpopo Province South Africa
| | - Natasha Potgieter
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture, University of Venda, Thohoyandou, Limpopo Province South Africa
| | - James Paul Nataro
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA USA
| | - Richard Littleton Guerrant
- Division of Infectious Disease and International Health, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA USA
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13
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Genomic analysis of Escherichia coli circulating in the Brazilian poultry sector. Braz J Microbiol 2022; 53:2121-2131. [PMID: 35864380 PMCID: PMC9679118 DOI: 10.1007/s42770-022-00799-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Escherichia coli are gut commensal bacteria and opportunistic pathogens, and the emergence of antimicrobial resistance threatens the safety of the food chain. To know the E. coli strains circulating in the Brazilian poultry sector is important since the country corresponds to a significant chicken meat production. Thus, we analyzed 90 publicly genomes available in a database using web-based tools. Genomic analysis revealed that sul alleles were the most detected resistance genes, followed by aadA, blaCTX-M, and dfrA. Plasmids of the IncF family were important, followed by IncI1-Iα, Col-like, and p0111. Genes of specific metabolic pathways that contribute to virulence (terC and gad) were predominant, followed by sitA, traT, and iss. Additionally, pap, usp, vat, sfa/foc, ibeA, cnf1, eae, and sat were also predicted. In this regard, 11 E. coli were characterized as avian pathogenic E. coli and one as atypical enteropathogenic E. coli. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed the predominant occurrence of B1 but also A, D, B2, F, E, G, C, and Clade I phylogroups, whereas international clones ST38, ST73, ST117, ST155, and ST224 were predicted among 53 different sequence types identified. Serotypes O6:H1 and:H25 were prevalent, and fimH31 and fimH32 were the most representatives among the 36 FimH types detected. Finally, single nucleotide polymorphisms-based phylogenetic analysis confirmed high genomic diversity among E. coli strains. While international E. coli clones have adapted to the Brazilian poultry sector, the virulome background of these strains support a pathogenic potential to humans and animals, with lineages carrying resistance genes that can lead to hard-to-treat infections.
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14
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Sváb D, Falgenhauer L, Mag T, Chakraborty T, Tóth I. Genomic Diversity, Virulence Gene, and Prophage Arrays of Bovine and Human Shiga Toxigenic and Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli Strains Isolated in Hungary. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:896296. [PMID: 35865933 PMCID: PMC9294531 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.896296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Escherichia coli belonging to the enterohemorrhagic (EHEC), Shiga toxin-producing (STEC) and atypical enteropathogenic (aEPEC) pathotypes are significant foodborne zoonotic pathogens posing serious health risks, with healthy cattle as their main reservoir. A representative sampling of Hungarian cattle farms during 2017–2018 yielded a prevalence of 6.5 and 5.8% for STEC and aEPEC out of 309 samples. The draft genomes of twelve STEC (of them 9 EHEC) and four aEPEC of bovine origin were determined. For comparative purposes, we also included 3 EHEC and 2 aEPEC strains of human origin, as well four commensal isolates and one extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC) obtained from animals in a final set of 26 strains for a WGS-based analysis. Apart from key virulence genes, these isolates harbored several additional virulence genes with arrays characteristic for the site of isolation. The most frequent insertion site of Shiga toxin (stx) encoding prophages was yehV for the Stx1 prophage and wrbA and sbcB for Stx2. For O157:H7 strains, the locus of enterocyte effacement pathogenicity island was present at the selC site, with integration at pheV for other serotypes, and pheU in the case of O26:H11 strains. Several LEE-negative STEC and aEPEC as well as commensal isolates carried additional prophages, with an average of ten prophage regions per isolate. Comparative phylogenomic analysis showed no clear separation between bovine and human lineages among the isolates characterized in the current study. Similarities in virulence gene arrays and close phylogenetic relations of bovine and human isolates underline the zoonotic potential of bovine aEPEC and STEC and emphasize the need for frequent monitoring of these pathogens in livestock.
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Affiliation(s)
- Domonkos Sváb
- Veterinary Medical Research Institute, Budapest, Hungary
- *Correspondence: Domonkos Sváb,
| | - Linda Falgenhauer
- Institute of Hygiene and Environmental Medicine and German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Giessen-Marburg-Langen, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Tünde Mag
- National Public Health Center, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Trinad Chakraborty
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Giessen-Marburg-Langen, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - István Tóth
- Veterinary Medical Research Institute, Budapest, Hungary
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15
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Comparative Genomics Applied to Systematically Assess Pathogenicity Potential in Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli O145:H28. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10050866. [PMID: 35630311 PMCID: PMC9144400 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10050866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Revised: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O145:H28 can cause severe disease in humans and is a predominant serotype in STEC O145 environmental isolates. Here, comparative genomics was applied to a set of clinical and environmental strains to systematically evaluate the pathogenicity potential in environmental strains. While the core genes-based tree separated all O145:H28 strains from the non O145:H28 reference strains, it failed to segregate environmental strains from the clinical. In contrast, the accessory genes-based tree placed all clinical strains in the same clade regardless of their genotypes or serotypes, apart from the environmental strains. Loss-of-function mutations were common in the virulence genes examined, with a high frequency in genes related to adherence, autotransporters, and the type three secretion system. Distinct differences in pathogenicity islands LEE, OI-122, and OI-57, the acid fitness island, and the tellurite resistance island were detected between the O145:H28 and reference strains. A great amount of genetic variation was detected in O145:H28, which was mainly attributed to deletions, insertions, and gene acquisition at several chromosomal “hot spots”. Our study demonstrated a distinct virulence gene repertoire among the STEC O145:H28 strains originating from the same geographical region and revealed unforeseen contributions of loss-of-function mutations to virulence evolution and genetic diversification in STEC.
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16
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Giannattasio-Ferraz S, Ene A, Gomes VJ, Queiroz CO, Maskeri L, Oliveira AP, Putonti C, Barbosa-Stancioli EF. Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolated From Urine of Healthy Bovine Have Potential as Emerging Human and Bovine Pathogens. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:764760. [PMID: 35330764 PMCID: PMC8940275 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.764760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The study of livestock microbiota has immediate benefits for animal health as well as mitigating food contamination and emerging pathogens. While prior research has indicated the gastrointestinal tract of cattle as the source for many zoonoses, including Shiga-toxin producing Escherichia coli and antibiotic resistant bacteria, the bovine urinary tract microbiota has yet to be thoroughly investigated. Here, we describe 5 E. coli and 4 Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains isolated from urine of dairy Gyr cattle. While both species are typically associated with urinary tract infections and mastitis, all of the animals sampled were healthy. The bovine urinary strains were compared to E. coli and P. aeruginosa isolates from other bovine samples as well as human urinary samples. While the bovine urinary E. coli isolates had genomic similarity to isolates from the gastrointestinal tract of cattle and other agricultural animals, the bovine urinary P. aeruginosa strains were most similar to human isolates suggesting niche adaptation rather than host adaptation. Examination of prophages harbored by these bovine isolates revealed similarity with prophages within distantly related E. coli and P. aeruginosa isolates from the human urinary tract. This suggests that related urinary phages may persist and/or be shared between mammals. Future studies of the bovine urinary microbiota are needed to ascertain if E. coli and P. aeruginosa are resident members of this niche and/or possible sources for emerging pathogens in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Giannattasio-Ferraz
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Adriana Ene
- Bioinformatics Program, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Vitor Júnio Gomes
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Cid Oliveira Queiroz
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Laura Maskeri
- Bioinformatics Program, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | | | - Catherine Putonti
- Bioinformatics Program, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States.,Department of Biology, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL, United States
| | - Edel F Barbosa-Stancioli
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
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17
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Antibiotic resistance and phylogenetic profiling of Escherichia coli from dairy farm soils; organic versus conventional systems. CURRENT RESEARCH IN MICROBIAL SCIENCES 2022; 3:100088. [PMID: 34977826 PMCID: PMC8688864 DOI: 10.1016/j.crmicr.2021.100088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Revised: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
First known comparison of antimicrobial resistance traits in E. coli strains from new zealand farms practicing organic and conventional husbandry. Potential extended spectrum β-lactamase producing strains isolated from dairy farm environments. Organic dairy farms tended to harbour fewer resistant isolates than those recovered from conventionally farmed counterparts. Evidence for anthroponotic transmission of resistant strains of human origin to farm environments. Implications for the spread of antimicrobial resistance traits from farm environments discussed.
The prevalence and spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) as a result of the persistent use and/or abuse of antimicrobials is a key health problem for health authorities and governments worldwide. A study of contrasting farming systems such as organic versus conventional dairy farming may help to authenticate some factors that may contribute to the prevalence and spread of AMR in their soils. A case study was conducted in organic and conventional dairy farms in the South Canterbury region of New Zealand. A total of 814 dairy farm soil E. coli (DfSEC) isolates recovered over two years were studied. Isolates were recovered from each of two farms practicing organic, and another two practicing conventional husbandries. The E. coli isolates were examined for their antimicrobial resistance (AMR) against cefoxitin, cefpodoxime, chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin, gentamicin, meropenem, nalidixic acid, and tetracycline. Phylogenetic relationships were assessed using an established multiplex PCR method. The AMR results indicated 3.7% of the DfSEC isolates were resistant to at least one of the eight selected antimicrobials. Of the resistant isolates, DfSEC from the organic dairy farms showed a lower prevalence of resistance to the antimicrobials tested, compared to their counterparts from the conventional farms. Phylogenetic analysis placed the majority (73.7%) of isolates recovered in group B1, itself dominated by isolates of bovine origin. The tendency for higher rates of resistance among strains from conventional farming may be important for future decision-making around farming practices Current husbandry practices may contribute to the prevalence and spread of AMR in the industry.
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18
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Hayashi T. [Genome analysis-based studies on bacterial genetic diversity]. Nihon Saikingaku Zasshi 2022; 77:145-160. [PMID: 36418109 DOI: 10.3412/jsb.77.145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
There are a huge number of bacterial species on earth, and a huge intra-species genomic diversity are also observed in many bacteria. The high ability of bacteria to acquire foreign DNA and the presence of various mobile genetic elements contribute the generation of such genomic diversity. During the biochemical and genetic analysis of a Pseudomonas aeruginosa toxin, called cytotoxin, and its converting phage, which I first engaged in my research carrier, I became very interested in the genetic diversity of bacteria and mobile genetic elements such as bacteriophages, and realized the usefulness and power of genome analysis. Since then, I have been involved in genome analyses of various pathogenic bacteria such as enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC), commensal bacteria of human and other animals, and bacteria or bacterial communities in natural environments. I was so lucky that I jumped in this research field at the very begging of genome analyses and experienced a very exciting time of surprisingly rapid advance in genome sequencing technologies which revolutionized a wide range of biology. In this article, I first review the main findings which our group obtained from the genome analyses on the P. aeruginosa cytotoxin converting phage and those on the evolution and genomic diversity of EHEC and related bacteria. The results of our analyses of Rickettsiaceae family genomes, which show surprisingly very low genomic diversity, and genome sequence-based analyses of an intrahospital bacterial outbreak and within-host genomic diversity are also summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tetsuya Hayashi
- Department of Bacteriology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University
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19
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Clermont O, Condamine B, Dion S, Gordon DM, Denamur E. The E phylogroup of Escherichia coli is highly diverse and mimics the whole E. coli species population structure. Environ Microbiol 2021; 23:7139-7151. [PMID: 34431197 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.15742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
To get a global picture of the population structure of the Escherichia coli phylogroup E, encompassing the O157:H7 EHEC lineage, we analysed the whole genome of 144 strains isolated from various continents, hosts and lifestyles and representative of the phylogroup diversity. The strains possess 4331 to 5440 genes with a core genome of 2771 genes and a pangenome of 33 722 genes. The distribution of these genes among the strains shows an asymmetric U-shaped distribution. E phylogenetic strains have the largest genomes of the species, partly explained by the presence of mobile genetic elements. Sixty-eight lineages were delineated, some of them exhibiting extra-intestinal virulence genes and being virulent in the mouse sepsis model. Except for the EHEC lineages and the reference EPEC, EIEC and ETEC strains, very few strains possess intestinal virulence genes. Most of the strains were devoid of acquired resistance genes, but eight strains possessed extended-spectrum beta-lactamase genes. Human strains belong to specific lineages, some of them being virulent and antibiotic-resistant [sequence type complexes (STcs) 350 and 2064]. The E phylogroup mimics all the features of the species as a whole, a phenomenon already observed at the STc level, arguing for a fractal population structure of E. coli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivier Clermont
- Université de Paris, IAME, UMR 1137, INSERM, Paris, F-75018, France
| | | | - Sara Dion
- Université de Paris, IAME, UMR 1137, INSERM, Paris, F-75018, France
| | - David M Gordon
- Division of Ecology and Evolution, Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Erick Denamur
- Université de Paris, IAME, UMR 1137, INSERM, Paris, F-75018, France
- AP-HP, Laboratoire de Génétique Moléculaire, Hôpital Bichat-Claude Bernard, Paris, F-75018, France
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20
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Nakamura K, Tokuda C, Arimitsu H, Etoh Y, Hamasaki M, Deguchi Y, Taniguchi I, Gotoh Y, Ogura Y, Hayashi T. Development of a homogeneous time-resolved FRET (HTRF) assay for the quantification of Shiga toxin 2 produced by E. coli. PeerJ 2021; 9:e11871. [PMID: 34395095 PMCID: PMC8325423 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.11871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) is a major intestinal pathogen and causes serious gastrointestinal illness, which includes diarrhea, hemorrhagic colitis, and life-threatening hemolytic uremic syndrome. The major virulence factors of STEC are Shiga toxins (Stx1 and Stx2), which belong to the AB-type toxin family. Among several subtypes of Stx1 and Stx2, the production of Stx2a is thought to be a risk factor for severe STEC infections, but Stx2a production levels vary markedly between STEC strains, even strains with the same serotype. Therefore, quantitative analyses of Stx2 production by STEC strains are important to understand the virulence potential of specific lineages or sublineages. In this study, we developed a novel Stx2 quantification method by utilizing homogeneous time-resolved fluorescence resonance energy transfer (HTRF) technology. To determine suitable “sandwich” assay conditions, we tested 6 combinations of fluorescence-labeled monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) specific to Stx2 and compared the HTRF signal intensities obtained at various incubation times. Through this analysis, we selected the most suitable mAb pair, one recognizing the A subunit and the other recognizing the B subunit, thus together detecting Stx holotoxins. The optimal incubation time was also determined (18 h). Then, we optimized the concentrations of the two mAbs based on the range for linearity. The established HTRF assay detected 0.5 ng/ml of the highly purified recombinant Stx2a and Stx2e proteins and the working range was 1–64 ng/ml for both Stx2a and Stx2e. Through the quantification analysis of Stx proteins in STEC cell lysates, we confirmed that other Stx2 subtypes (Stx2b, Stx2c, Stx2d and Stx2g) can also be quantified at a certain level of accuracy, while this assay system does not detect Stx2f, which is highly divergent in sequence from other Stx2 subtypes, and Stx1. As the HTRF protocol we established is simple, this assay system should prove useful for the quantitative analysis of Stx2 production levels of a large number of STEC strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keiji Nakamura
- Department of Bacteriology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | | | - Hideyuki Arimitsu
- School of Human Science and Environment, University of Hyogo, Himeji, Japan
| | - Yoshiki Etoh
- Fukuoka Institute of Health and Environmental Sciences, Dazaifu, Japan
| | | | - Yuichiro Deguchi
- Production Medicine Center, Agricultural Mutual Aid Association in Miyazaki Prefecture, Koyugun-Shintomicho, Japan
| | - Itsuki Taniguchi
- Department of Bacteriology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Gotoh
- Department of Bacteriology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Yoshitoshi Ogura
- Division of Microbiology, Department of Infectious Medicine, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Hayashi
- Department of Bacteriology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
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21
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Jung D, Park S, Ruffini J, Dussault F, Dufour S, Ronholm J. Comparative genomic analysis of Escherichia coli isolates from cases of bovine clinical mastitis identifies nine specific pathotype marker genes. Microb Genom 2021; 7. [PMID: 34227932 PMCID: PMC8477405 DOI: 10.1099/mgen.0.000597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Escherichia coli is a major causative agent of environmental bovine mastitis and this disease causes significant economic losses for the dairy industry. There is still debate in the literature as to whether mammary pathogenic E. coli (MPEC) is indeed a unique E. coli pathotype, or whether this infection is merely an opportunistic infection caused by any E. coli isolate being displaced from the bovine gastrointestinal tract to the environment and, then, into the udder. In this study, we conducted a thorough genomic analysis of 113 novel MPEC isolates from clinical mastitis cases and 100 bovine commensal E. coli isolates. A phylogenomic analysis indicated that MPEC and commensal E. coli isolates formed clades based on common sequence types and O antigens, but did not cluster based on mammary pathogenicity. A comparative genomic analysis of MPEC and commensal isolates led to the identification of nine genes that were part of either the core or the soft-core MPEC genome, but were not found in any bovine commensal isolates. These apparent MPEC marker genes were genes involved with nutrient intake and metabolism [adeQ, adenine permease; nifJ, pyruvate-flavodoxin oxidoreductase; and yhjX, putative major facilitator superfamily (MFS)-type transporter], included fitness and virulence factors commonly seen in uropathogenic E. coli (pqqL, zinc metallopeptidase, and fdeC, intimin-like adhesin, respectively), and putative proteins [yfiE, uncharacterized helix-turn-helix-type transcriptional activator; ygjI, putative inner membrane transporter; and ygjJ, putative periplasmic protein]. Further characterization of these highly conserved MPEC genes may be critical to understanding the pathobiology of MPEC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongyun Jung
- Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Macdonald Campus, McGill University, Sainte Anne de Bellevue, Quebec, Canada
- Mastitis Network, Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec J2S 2M2, Canada
| | - Soyoun Park
- Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Macdonald Campus, McGill University, Sainte Anne de Bellevue, Quebec, Canada
- Mastitis Network, Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec J2S 2M2, Canada
| | - Janina Ruffini
- Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Macdonald Campus, McGill University, Sainte Anne de Bellevue, Quebec, Canada
| | | | - Simon Dufour
- Mastitis Network, Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec J2S 2M2, Canada
- Regroupement FRQNT Op+Lait, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec J2S 2M2, Canada
- Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada
| | - Jennifer Ronholm
- Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Macdonald Campus, McGill University, Sainte Anne de Bellevue, Quebec, Canada
- Mastitis Network, Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec J2S 2M2, Canada
- Regroupement FRQNT Op+Lait, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec J2S 2M2, Canada
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22
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Kajitani R, Yoshimura D, Ogura Y, Gotoh Y, Hayashi T, Itoh T. Platanus_B: an accurate de novo assembler for bacterial genomes using an iterative error-removal process. DNA Res 2021; 27:5870828. [PMID: 32658266 PMCID: PMC7433917 DOI: 10.1093/dnares/dsaa014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
De novo assembly of short DNA reads remains an essential technology, especially for large-scale projects and high-resolution variant analyses in epidemiology. However, the existing tools often lack sufficient accuracy required to compare closely related strains. To facilitate such studies on bacterial genomes, we developed Platanus_B, a de novo assembler that employs iterations of multiple error-removal algorithms. The benchmarks demonstrated the superior accuracy and high contiguity of Platanus_B, in addition to its ability to enhance the hybrid assembly of both short and nanopore long reads. Although the hybrid strategies for short and long reads were effective in achieving near full-length genomes, we found that short-read-only assemblies generated with Platanus_B were sufficient to obtain ≥90% of exact coding sequences in most cases. In addition, while nanopore long-read-only assemblies lacked fine-scale accuracies, inclusion of short reads was effective in improving the accuracies. Platanus_B can, therefore, be used for comprehensive genomic surveillances of bacterial pathogens and high-resolution phylogenomic analyses of a wide range of bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rei Kajitani
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan
| | - Dai Yoshimura
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan
| | - Yoshitoshi Ogura
- Division of Microbiology, Department of Infectious Medicine, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Fukuoka 830-0011, Japan.,Department of Bacteriology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Gotoh
- Department of Bacteriology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Hayashi
- Department of Bacteriology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Takehiko Itoh
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan
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23
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Auvray F, Perrat A, Arimizu Y, Chagneau CV, Bossuet-Greif N, Massip C, Brugère H, Nougayrède JP, Hayashi T, Branchu P, Ogura Y, Oswald E. Insights into the acquisition of the pks island and production of colibactin in the Escherichia coli population. Microb Genom 2021; 7:000579. [PMID: 33961542 PMCID: PMC8209727 DOI: 10.1099/mgen.0.000579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 04/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The pks island codes for the enzymes necessary for synthesis of the genotoxin colibactin, which contributes to the virulence of Escherichia coli strains and is suspected of promoting colorectal cancer. From a collection of 785 human and bovine E. coli isolates, we identified 109 strains carrying a highly conserved pks island, mostly from phylogroup B2, but also from phylogroups A, B1 and D. Different scenarios of pks acquisition were deduced from whole genome sequence and phylogenetic analysis. In the main scenario, pks was introduced and stabilized into certain sequence types (STs) of the B2 phylogroup, such as ST73 and ST95, at the asnW tRNA locus located in the vicinity of the yersiniabactin-encoding High Pathogenicity Island (HPI). In a few B2 strains, pks inserted at the asnU or asnV tRNA loci close to the HPI and occasionally was located next to the remnant of an integrative and conjugative element. In a last scenario specific to B1/A strains, pks was acquired, independently of the HPI, at a non-tRNA locus. All the pks-positive strains except 18 produced colibactin. Sixteen strains contained mutations in clbB or clbD, or a fusion of clbJ and clbK and were no longer genotoxic but most of them still produced low amounts of potentially active metabolites associated with the pks island. One strain was fully metabolically inactive without pks alteration, but colibactin production was restored by overexpressing the ClbR regulator. In conclusion, the pks island is not restricted to human pathogenic B2 strains and is more widely distributed in the E. coli population, while preserving its functionality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frédéric Auvray
- IRSD, INSERM, Université de Toulouse, INRAE, ENVT, UPS, Toulouse, France
| | - Alexandre Perrat
- IRSD, INSERM, Université de Toulouse, INRAE, ENVT, UPS, Toulouse, France
| | - Yoko Arimizu
- Department of Bacteriology, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | | | | | - Clémence Massip
- IRSD, INSERM, Université de Toulouse, INRAE, ENVT, UPS, Toulouse, France
- CHU Toulouse, Hôpital Purpan, Service de Bactériologie-Hygiène, Toulouse, France
| | - Hubert Brugère
- IRSD, INSERM, Université de Toulouse, INRAE, ENVT, UPS, Toulouse, France
| | | | - Tetsuya Hayashi
- Department of Bacteriology, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Priscilla Branchu
- IRSD, INSERM, Université de Toulouse, INRAE, ENVT, UPS, Toulouse, France
| | - Yoshitoshi Ogura
- Division of Microbiology, Department of Infectious Medicine, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Eric Oswald
- IRSD, INSERM, Université de Toulouse, INRAE, ENVT, UPS, Toulouse, France
- CHU Toulouse, Hôpital Purpan, Service de Bactériologie-Hygiène, Toulouse, France
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24
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Nakamura K, Ogura Y, Gotoh Y, Hayashi T. Prophages integrating into prophages: A mechanism to accumulate type III secretion effector genes and duplicate Shiga toxin-encoding prophages in Escherichia coli. PLoS Pathog 2021; 17:e1009073. [PMID: 33914852 PMCID: PMC8112680 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacteriophages (or phages) play major roles in the evolution of bacterial pathogens via horizontal gene transfer. Multiple phages are often integrated in a host chromosome as prophages, not only carrying various novel virulence-related genetic determinants into host bacteria but also providing various possibilities for prophage-prophage interactions in bacterial cells. In particular, Escherichia coli strains such as Shiga toxin (Stx)-producing E. coli (STEC) and enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) strains have acquired more than 10 prophages (up to 21 prophages), many of which encode type III secretion system (T3SS) effector gene clusters. In these strains, some prophages are present at a single locus in tandem, which is usually interpreted as the integration of phages that use the same attachment (att) sequence. Here, we present phages integrating into T3SS effector gene cluster-associated loci in prophages, which are widely distributed in STEC and EPEC. Some of the phages integrated into prophages are Stx-encoding phages (Stx phages) and have induced the duplication of Stx phages in a single cell. The identified attB sequences in prophage genomes are apparently derived from host chromosomes. In addition, two or three different attB sequences are present in some prophages, which results in the generation of prophage clusters in various complex configurations. These phages integrating into prophages represent a medically and biologically important type of inter-phage interaction that promotes the accumulation of T3SS effector genes in STEC and EPEC, the duplication of Stx phages in STEC, and the conversion of EPEC to STEC and that may be distributed in other types of E. coli strains as well as other prophage-rich bacterial species. Multiple prophages are often integrated in a bacterial host chromosome and some are present at a single locus in tandem. The most striking examples are Shiga toxin (Stx)-producing and enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (STEC and EPEC) strains, which usually contain more than 10 prophages (up to 21). Many of them encode a cluster of type III secretion system (T3SS) effector genes, contributing the acquisition of a large number of effectors (>30) by STEC and EPEC. Here, we describe prophages integrating into T3SS effector gene cluster-associated loci in prophages, which are widely distributed in STEC and EPEC. Two or three different attachment sequences derived from host chromosomes are present in some prophages, generating prophage clusters in various complex configurations. Of note, some of such phages integrating into prophages are Stx-encoding phages (Stx phages) and have induced the duplication of Stx phages. Thus, “prophage-in-prophage” represents an important inter-phage interaction as they can promote not only the accumulation of T3SS effectors in STEC and EPEC but also the duplication of Stx phages and the conversion of EPEC to STEC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keiji Nakamura
- Department of Bacteriology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Yoshitoshi Ogura
- Division of Microbiology, Department of Infectious Medicine, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Gotoh
- Department of Bacteriology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Hayashi
- Department of Bacteriology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
- * E-mail:
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25
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Borelli TC, Lovate GL, Scaranello AFT, Ribeiro LF, Zaramela L, Pereira-dos-Santos FM, Silva-Rocha R, Guazzaroni ME. Combining Functional Genomics and Whole-Genome Sequencing to Detect Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Bacterial Strains Co-Occurring Simultaneously in a Brazilian Hospital. Antibiotics (Basel) 2021; 10:antibiotics10040419. [PMID: 33920372 PMCID: PMC8070361 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics10040419] [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: 02/24/2021] [Revised: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: The rise of multi-antibiotic resistant bacteria represents an emergent threat to human health. Here, we investigate antibiotic resistance mechanisms in bacteria of several species isolated from an intensive care unit in Brazil. (2) Methods: We used whole-genome analysis to identify antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and plasmids in 34 strains of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, providing the first genomic description of Morganella morganii and Ralstonia mannitolilytica clinical isolates from South America. (3) Results: We identified a high abundance of beta-lactamase genes in resistant organisms, including seven extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (OXA-1, OXA-10, CTX-M-1, KPC, TEM, HYDRO, BLP) shared between organisms from different species. Additionally, we identified several ARG-carrying plasmids indicating the potential for a fast transmission of resistance mechanism between bacterial strains. Furthermore, we uncovered two pairs of (near) identical plasmids exhibiting multi-drug resistance. Finally, since many highly resistant strains carry several different ARGs, we used functional genomics to investigate which of them were indeed functional. In this sense, for three bacterial strains (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and M. morganii), we identified six beta-lactamase genes out of 15 predicted in silico as those mainly responsible for the resistance mechanisms observed, corroborating the existence of redundant resistance mechanisms in these organisms. (4) Conclusions: Systematic studies similar to the one presented here should help to prevent outbreaks of novel multidrug-resistant bacteria in healthcare facilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiago Cabral Borelli
- Department of Biology, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Bandeirantes 3900, Ribeirão Preto, SP 14049-901, Brazil; (T.C.B.); (G.L.L.); (A.F.T.S.); (L.F.R.)
| | - Gabriel Lencioni Lovate
- Department of Biology, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Bandeirantes 3900, Ribeirão Preto, SP 14049-901, Brazil; (T.C.B.); (G.L.L.); (A.F.T.S.); (L.F.R.)
| | - Ana Flavia Tonelli Scaranello
- Department of Biology, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Bandeirantes 3900, Ribeirão Preto, SP 14049-901, Brazil; (T.C.B.); (G.L.L.); (A.F.T.S.); (L.F.R.)
| | - Lucas Ferreira Ribeiro
- Department of Biology, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Bandeirantes 3900, Ribeirão Preto, SP 14049-901, Brazil; (T.C.B.); (G.L.L.); (A.F.T.S.); (L.F.R.)
| | - Livia Zaramela
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA 92161, USA;
| | - Felipe Marcelo Pereira-dos-Santos
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Av. Bandeirantes 3900, Ribeirão Preto, SP 14049-900, Brazil; (F.M.P.-d.-S.); (R.S.-R.)
| | - Rafael Silva-Rocha
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Av. Bandeirantes 3900, Ribeirão Preto, SP 14049-900, Brazil; (F.M.P.-d.-S.); (R.S.-R.)
| | - María-Eugenia Guazzaroni
- Department of Biology, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Bandeirantes 3900, Ribeirão Preto, SP 14049-901, Brazil; (T.C.B.); (G.L.L.); (A.F.T.S.); (L.F.R.)
- Correspondence:
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26
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Mageiros L, Méric G, Bayliss SC, Pensar J, Pascoe B, Mourkas E, Calland JK, Yahara K, Murray S, Wilkinson TS, Williams LK, Hitchings MD, Porter J, Kemmett K, Feil EJ, Jolley KA, Williams NJ, Corander J, Sheppard SK. Genome evolution and the emergence of pathogenicity in avian Escherichia coli. Nat Commun 2021; 12:765. [PMID: 33536414 PMCID: PMC7858641 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-20988-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Chickens are the most common birds on Earth and colibacillosis is among the most common diseases affecting them. This major threat to animal welfare and safe sustainable food production is difficult to combat because the etiological agent, avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC), emerges from ubiquitous commensal gut bacteria, with no single virulence gene present in all disease-causing isolates. Here, we address the underlying evolutionary mechanisms of extraintestinal spread and systemic infection in poultry. Combining population scale comparative genomics and pangenome-wide association studies, we compare E. coli from commensal carriage and systemic infections. We identify phylogroup-specific and species-wide genetic elements that are enriched in APEC, including pathogenicity-associated variation in 143 genes that have diverse functions, including genes involved in metabolism, lipopolysaccharide synthesis, heat shock response, antimicrobial resistance and toxicity. We find that horizontal gene transfer spreads pathogenicity elements, allowing divergent clones to cause infection. Finally, a Random Forest model prediction of disease status (carriage vs. disease) identifies pathogenic strains in the emergent ST-117 poultry-associated lineage with 73% accuracy, demonstrating the potential for early identification of emergent APEC in healthy flocks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardos Mageiros
- The Milner Centre for Evolution, Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, UK
| | - Guillaume Méric
- The Milner Centre for Evolution, Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, UK
| | - Sion C Bayliss
- The Milner Centre for Evolution, Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, UK
- MRC Cloud Infrastructure for Microbial Bioinformatics (CLIMB) Consortium, London, UK
| | - Johan Pensar
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Helsinki Institute for Information Technology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ben Pascoe
- The Milner Centre for Evolution, Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, UK
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Evangelos Mourkas
- The Milner Centre for Evolution, Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, UK
| | - Jessica K Calland
- The Milner Centre for Evolution, Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, UK
| | - Koji Yahara
- Antimicrobial Resistance Research Centre, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Susan Murray
- Uppsala University, Department for medical biochemistry and microbiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Thomas S Wilkinson
- Swansea University Medical School, Institute of Life Science, Swansea, SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Lisa K Williams
- Swansea University Medical School, Institute of Life Science, Swansea, SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Matthew D Hitchings
- Swansea University Medical School, Institute of Life Science, Swansea, SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Jonathan Porter
- National Laboratory Service, Environment Agency, Starcross, UK
| | - Kirsty Kemmett
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Institute of Infection & Global Health, University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Wirral, UK
| | - Edward J Feil
- The Milner Centre for Evolution, Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, UK
| | - Keith A Jolley
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PS, UK
| | - Nicola J Williams
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Institute of Infection & Global Health, University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Wirral, UK
| | - Jukka Corander
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Helsinki Institute for Information Technology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Parasites and Microbes, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, UK
| | - Samuel K Sheppard
- The Milner Centre for Evolution, Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, UK.
- MRC Cloud Infrastructure for Microbial Bioinformatics (CLIMB) Consortium, London, UK.
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PS, UK.
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27
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Abstract
Diarrheal disease is still a major public health concern, as it is still considered an important cause of death in children under five years of age. A few decades ago, the detection of enteropathogenic E. coli was made by detecting the O, H, and K antigens, mostly by agglutination. The recent protocols recommend the molecular methods for diagnosing EPEC, as they can distinguish between typical and atypical EPEC by identifying the presence/absence of specific virulence factors. EPEC are defined as diarrheagenic strains of E. coli that can produce attaching and effacing lesions on the intestinal epithelium while being incapable of producing Shiga toxins and heat-labile or heat-stable enterotoxins. The ability of these strains to produce attaching and effacing lesions enable them to cause localized lesions by attaching tightly to the surface of the intestinal epithelial cells, disrupting the surfaces of the cells, thus leading to the effacement of the microvilli. EPEC are classified on typical and atypical isolates, based on the presence or absence of E. coli adherence factor plasmids. All the EPEC strains are eae positive; typical EPEC strains are eae+, bfpA+, while atypical strains are eae+, bfpA−. No vaccines are currently available to prevent EPEC infections.
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Abstract
Escherichia coli is a clinically important bacterial species implicated in human- and livestock-associated infections worldwide. The bacterium is known to reside in the guts of humans, livestock, and wild animals. Escherichia coli is a common bacterial species in the gastrointestinal tracts of warm-blooded animals and humans. Pathogenicity and antimicrobial resistance in E. coli may emerge via host switching from animal reservoirs. Despite its potential clinical importance, knowledge of the population structure of commensal E. coli within wild hosts and the epidemiological links between E. coli in nonhuman hosts and E. coli in humans is still scarce. In this study, we analyzed the whole-genome sequencing data of a collection of 119 commensal E. coli strains recovered from the guts of 55 mammal and bird species in Mexico and Venezuela in the 1990s. We observed low concordance between the population structures of E. coli isolates colonizing wild animals and the phylogeny, taxonomy, and ecological and physiological attributes of the host species, with distantly related E. coli strains often colonizing the same or similar host species and distantly related host species often hosting closely related E. coli strains. We found no evidence for recent transmission of E. coli genomes from wild animals to either domesticated animals or humans. However, multiple livestock- and human-related virulence factor genes were present in E. coli of wild animals, including virulence factors characteristic of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) and atypical enteropathogenic E. coli (aEPEC), where several isolates from wild hosts harbored the locus of enterocyte effacement (LEE) pathogenicity island. Moreover, E. coli isolates from wild animal hosts often harbored known antibiotic resistance determinants, including those against ciprofloxacin, aminoglycosides, tetracyclines, and beta-lactams, with some determinants present in multiple, distantly related E. coli lineages colonizing very different host animals. We conclude that genome pools of E. coli colonizing the guts of wild animals and humans share virulence and antibiotic resistance genes, underscoring the idea that wild animals could serve as reservoirs for E. coli pathogenicity in human and livestock infections. IMPORTANCEEscherichia coli is a clinically important bacterial species implicated in human- and livestock-associated infections worldwide. The bacterium is known to reside in the guts of humans, livestock, and wild animals. Although wild animals are recognized as potential reservoirs for pathogenic E. coli strains, the knowledge of the population structure of E. coli in wild hosts is still scarce. In this study, we used fine resolution of whole-genome sequencing to provide novel insights into the evolution of E. coli genomes from a small yet diverse collection of strains recovered within a broad range of wild animal species (including mammals and birds), the coevolution of E. coli strains with their hosts, and the genetics of pathogenicity of E. coli strains in wild hosts in Mexico. Our results provide evidence for the clinical importance of wild animals as reservoirs for pathogenic strains and highlight the need to include nonhuman hosts in the surveillance programs for E. coli infections.
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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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30
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Barth SA, Weber M, Schaufler K, Berens C, Geue L, Menge C. Metabolic Traits of Bovine Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia Coli (STEC) Strains with Different Colonization Properties. Toxins (Basel) 2020; 12:toxins12060414. [PMID: 32580365 PMCID: PMC7354573 DOI: 10.3390/toxins12060414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Revised: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Cattle harbor Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) in their intestinal tract, thereby providing these microorganisms with an ecological niche, but without this colonization leading to any clinical signs. In a preceding study, genotypic characterization of bovine STEC isolates unveiled that their ability to colonize cattle persistently (STECper) or only sporadically (STECspo) is more closely associated with the overall composition of the accessory rather than the core genome. However, the colonization pattern could not be unequivocally linked to the possession of classical virulence genes. This study aimed at assessing, therefore, if the presence of certain phenotypic traits in the strains determines their colonization pattern and if these can be traced back to distinctive genetic features. STECspo strains produced significantly more biofilm than STECper when incubated at lower temperatures. Key substrates, the metabolism of which showed a significant association with colonization type, were glyoxylic acid and L-rhamnose, which were utilized by STECspo, but not or only by some STECper. Genomic sequences of the respective glc and rha operons contained mutations and frameshifts in uptake and/or regulatory genes, particularly in STECper. These findings suggest that STECspo conserved features leveraging survival in the environment, whereas the acquisition of a persistent colonization phenotype in the cattle reservoir was accompanied by the loss of metabolic properties and genomic mutations in the underlying genetic pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie A. Barth
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut/Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Molecular Pathogenesis, Naumburger Str. 96a, 07743 Jena, Germany; (M.W.); (C.B.); (L.G.); (C.M.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-3641-804-2270; Fax: +49-3641-804-2482
| | - Michael Weber
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut/Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Molecular Pathogenesis, Naumburger Str. 96a, 07743 Jena, Germany; (M.W.); (C.B.); (L.G.); (C.M.)
| | - Katharina Schaufler
- Free University Berlin, Institute of Microbiology and Epizootics, Robert-von-Ostertag-Str. 7-13, 14163 Berlin, Germany;
- University of Greifswald, Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Friedrich-Ludwig-Jahn-Str. 17, 17489 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Christian Berens
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut/Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Molecular Pathogenesis, Naumburger Str. 96a, 07743 Jena, Germany; (M.W.); (C.B.); (L.G.); (C.M.)
| | - Lutz Geue
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut/Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Molecular Pathogenesis, Naumburger Str. 96a, 07743 Jena, Germany; (M.W.); (C.B.); (L.G.); (C.M.)
| | - Christian Menge
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut/Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Molecular Pathogenesis, Naumburger Str. 96a, 07743 Jena, Germany; (M.W.); (C.B.); (L.G.); (C.M.)
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31
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Structural and Functional Characterization of Stx2k, a New Subtype of Shiga Toxin 2. Microorganisms 2019; 8:microorganisms8010004. [PMID: 31861375 PMCID: PMC7022315 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8010004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2019] [Revised: 12/12/2019] [Accepted: 12/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Shiga toxin (Stx) is the major virulence factor of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC). Stx evolves rapidly and, as such, new subtypes continue to emerge that challenge the efficacy of existing disease management and surveillance strategies. A new subtype, Stx2k, was recently identified in E. coli isolated from a wide range of sources including diarrheal patients, animals, and raw meats, and was poorly detected by existing immunoassays. In this study, the structure of Stx2kE167Q was determined at 2.29 Å resolution and the conservation of structure with Stx2a was revealed. A novel polyclonal antibody capable of neutralizing Stx2k and an immunoassay, with a 10-fold increase in sensitivity compared to assays using extant antibodies, were developed. Stx2k is less toxic than Stx2a in Vero cell assays but is similar to Stx2a in receptor-binding preference, thermostability, and acid tolerance. Although Stx2k does not appear to be as potent as Stx2a to Vero cells, the wide distribution and blended virulence profiles of the Stx2k-producing strains suggest that horizontal gene transfer through Stx2k-converting phages could result in the emergence of new and highly virulent pathogens. This study provides useful information and tools for early detection and control of Stx2k-producing E. coli, which could reduce public risk of infection by less-known STECs.
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