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Williamson CHD, Vazquez AJ, Nunnally AE, Kyger K, Fofanov VY, Furstenau TN, Hornstra HM, Terriquez J, Keim P, Sahl JW. ColiSeq: a multiplex amplicon assay that provides strain level resolution of Escherichia coli directly from clinical specimens. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0413923. [PMID: 38651881 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.04139-23] [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: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Escherichia coli is a diverse pathogen, causing a range of disease in humans, from self-limiting diarrhea to urinary tract infections (UTIs). Uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) is the most frequently observed uropathogen in UTIs, a common disease in high-income countries, incurring billions of dollars yearly in treatment costs. Although E. coli is easily grown and identified in the clinical laboratory, genotyping the pathogen is more complicated, yet critical for reducing the incidence of disease. These goals can be achieved through whole-genome sequencing of E. coli isolates, but this approach is relatively slow and typically requires culturing the pathogen in the laboratory. To genotype E. coli rapidly and inexpensively directly from clinical samples, including but not limited to urine, we developed and validated a multiplex amplicon sequencing assay, called ColiSeq. The assay consists of targets designed for E. coli species confirmation, high resolution genotyping, and mixture deconvolution. To demonstrate its utility, we screened the ColiSeq assay against 230 clinical urine samples collected from a hospital system in Flagstaff, Arizona, USA. A limit of detection analysis demonstrated the ability of ColiSeq to identify E. coli at a concentration of ~2 genomic equivalent (GEs)/mL and to generate high-resolution genotyping at a concentration of 1 × 105 GEs/mL. The results of this study suggest that ColiSeq could be a valuable method to understand the source of UPEC strains and guide infection mitigation efforts. As sequence-based diagnostics become accepted in the clinical laboratory, workflows such as ColiSeq will provide actionable information to improve patient outcomes.IMPORTANCEUrinary tract infections (UTIs), caused primarily by Escherichia coli, create an enormous health care burden in the United States and other high-income countries. The early detection of E. coli from clinical samples, including urine, is important to target therapy and prevent further patient complications. Additionally, understanding the source of E. coli exposure will help with future mitigation efforts. In this study, we developed, tested, and validated an amplicon sequencing assay focused on direct detection of E. coli from urine. The resulting sequence data were demonstrated to provide strain level resolution of the pathogen, not only confirming the presence of E. coli, which can focus treatment efforts, but also providing data needed for source attribution and contact tracing. This assay will generate inexpensive, rapid, and reproducible data that can be deployed by public health agencies to track, diagnose, and potentially mitigate future UTIs caused by E. coli.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Adam J Vazquez
- Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, USA
| | - Amalee E Nunnally
- Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, USA
| | - Kristen Kyger
- Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, USA
| | - Viacheslav Y Fofanov
- Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, USA
- School of Informatics, Computing, and Cyber Systems, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, USA
| | - Tara N Furstenau
- Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, USA
- School of Informatics, Computing, and Cyber Systems, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, USA
| | - Heidie M Hornstra
- Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, USA
| | | | - Paul Keim
- Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, USA
| | - Jason W Sahl
- Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, USA
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2
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Persad AK, Rajashekara G, LeJeune JT. Shiga toxin (stx) encoding genes in sheep and goats reared in Trinidad and Tobago. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0277564. [PMID: 36378686 PMCID: PMC9665368 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0277564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) is estimated to cause over two million cases of human disease annually. Trinidad and Tobago is one of the largest livestock producer and consumer of sheep and goat meat in the Caribbean, however, the potential role of these animals in the epidemiology of STEC infections has not been previously described. To fill this critical gap in knowledge, the prevalence of Shiga toxin genes (stx1 and stx2) shed in the faeces of healthy sheep (n = 204) and goats (n = 105) in Trinidad was investigated. Based on PCR screening, goats had a higher stx prevalence than sheep (46% vs 35%, P = 0.06). Most of the recovered STEC isolates were positive for stx1 only; and only three isolates were positive for the eae gene. None of the recovered isolates belonged to the O157 serogroup. In both species, the prevalence of stx was higher in young animals versus older animals. Sheep reared on deep litter flooring (43%) had a higher prevalence than sheep reared other flooring types, however this was not the same for goats. The presence of cows on the same premise was not an associated predictor for STEC carriage in sheep or goats. This study demonstrates that although sheep and goats in Trinidad are reservoirs for stx-positive E. coli isolates, no fecal samples tested positive for O157 STEC, harbored. Furthermore, it appears that non-O157 stx-positive isolates harbored by these animals do not pose a significant threat to human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anil K. Persad
- Center for Food Animal Health, Ohio Agriculture Research and Development Center, The Ohio State University, Wooster, Ohio, United State of America
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, Mt. Hope, Trinidad and Tobago, West Indies
| | - Gireesh Rajashekara
- Center for Food Animal Health, Ohio Agriculture Research and Development Center, The Ohio State University, Wooster, Ohio, United State of America
| | - Jeffrey T. LeJeune
- Center for Food Animal Health, Ohio Agriculture Research and Development Center, The Ohio State University, Wooster, Ohio, United State of America
- * E-mail:
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3
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Zhang X, Payne M, Kaur S, Lan R. Improved Genomic Identification, Clustering, and Serotyping of Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli Using Cluster/Serotype-Specific Gene Markers. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 11:772574. [PMID: 35083165 PMCID: PMC8785982 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.772574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) have more than 470 serotypes. The well-known STEC O157:H7 serotype is a leading cause of STEC infections in humans. However, the incidence of non-O157:H7 STEC serotypes associated with foodborne outbreaks and human infections has increased in recent years. Current detection and serotyping assays are focusing on O157 and top six (“Big six”) non-O157 STEC serogroups. In this study, we performed phylogenetic analysis of nearly 41,000 publicly available STEC genomes representing 460 different STEC serotypes and identified 19 major and 229 minor STEC clusters. STEC cluster-specific gene markers were then identified through comparative genomic analysis. We further identified serotype-specific gene markers for the top 10 most frequent non-O157:H7 STEC serotypes. The cluster or serotype specific gene markers had 99.54% accuracy and more than 97.25% specificity when tested using 38,534 STEC and 14,216 non-STEC E. coli genomes, respectively. In addition, we developed a freely available in silico serotyping pipeline named STECFinder that combined these robust gene markers with established E. coli serotype specific O and H antigen genes and stx genes for accurate identification, cluster determination and serotyping of STEC. STECFinder can assign 99.85% and 99.83% of 38,534 STEC isolates to STEC clusters using assembled genomes and Illumina reads respectively and can simultaneously predict stx subtypes and STEC serotypes. Using shotgun metagenomic sequencing reads of STEC spiked food samples from a published study, we demonstrated that STECFinder can detect the spiked STEC serotypes, accurately. The cluster/serotype-specific gene markers could also be adapted for culture independent typing, facilitating rapid STEC typing. STECFinder is available as an installable package (https://github.com/LanLab/STECFinder) and will be useful for in silico STEC cluster identification and serotyping using genome data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaomei Zhang
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Michael Payne
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Sandeep Kaur
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Ruiting Lan
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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4
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Rosso DA, Rosato M, Gómez FD, Álvarez RS, Shiromizu CM, Keitelman IA, Ibarra C, Amaral MM, Jancic CC. Human Glomerular Endothelial Cells Treated With Shiga Toxin Type 2 Activate γδ T Lymphocytes. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:765941. [PMID: 34900753 PMCID: PMC8656354 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.765941] [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: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The hemolytic uremic syndrome associated with diarrhea, a consequence of Shiga toxin (Stx)-producing Escherichia coli infection, is a common cause of pediatric acute renal failure in Argentina. Stx type 2a (Stx2a) causes direct damage to renal cells and induces local inflammatory responses that involve secretion of inflammatory mediators and the recruitment of innate immune cells. γδ T cells constitute a subset of T lymphocytes, which act as early sensors of cellular stress and infection. They can exert cytotoxicity against infected and transformed cells, and produce cytokines and chemokines. In this study, we investigated the activation of human peripheral γδ T cells in response to the incubation with Stx2a-stimulated human glomerular endothelial cells (HGEC) or their conditioned medium, by analyzing in γδ T lymphocytes, the expression of CD69, CD107a, and perforin, and the production of TNF-α and IFN-γ. In addition, we evaluated by confocal microscopy the contact between γδ T cells and HGEC. This analysis showed an augmentation in cellular interactions in the presence of Stx2a-stimulated HGEC compared to untreated HGEC. Furthermore, we observed an increase in cytokine production and CD107a expression, together with a decrease in intracellular perforin when γδ T cells were incubated with Stx2a-treated HGEC or their conditioned medium. Interestingly, the blocking of TNF-α by Etanercept reversed the changes in the parameters measured in γδ T cells incubated with Stx2a-treated HGEC supernatants. Altogether, our results suggest that soluble factors released by Stx2a-stimulated HGEC modulate the activation of γδ T cells, being TNF-α a key player during this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Antonio Rosso
- Instituto de Medicina Experimental-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET)-Academia Nacional de Medicina., Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Micaela Rosato
- Instituto de Medicina Experimental-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET)-Academia Nacional de Medicina., Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Fernando Daniel Gómez
- Laboratorio de Fisiopatogenia, Departamento de Fisiología, Instituto de Fisiología y Biofísica Bernardo Houssay (IFIBIO Houssay-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET)), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Romina Soledad Álvarez
- Laboratorio de Fisiopatogenia, Departamento de Fisiología, Instituto de Fisiología y Biofísica Bernardo Houssay (IFIBIO Houssay-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET)), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Carolina Maiumi Shiromizu
- Instituto de Medicina Experimental-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET)-Academia Nacional de Medicina., Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Irene Angélica Keitelman
- Instituto de Medicina Experimental-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET)-Academia Nacional de Medicina., Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Cristina Ibarra
- Laboratorio de Fisiopatogenia, Departamento de Fisiología, Instituto de Fisiología y Biofísica Bernardo Houssay (IFIBIO Houssay-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET)), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Marta Amaral
- Laboratorio de Fisiopatogenia, Departamento de Fisiología, Instituto de Fisiología y Biofísica Bernardo Houssay (IFIBIO Houssay-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET)), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Carolina Cristina Jancic
- Instituto de Medicina Experimental-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET)-Academia Nacional de Medicina., Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Departamento de Microbiología, Parasitología e Inmunología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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5
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Navarro A, van der Ploeg C, Rogé A, Licona-Moreno D, Delgado G, Morales-Espinosa R, Cravioto A, Eslava C. Diversity of Potentially Pathogenic Escherichia coli O104 and O9 Serogroups Isolated before 2011 from Fecal Samples from Children from Different Geographic Regions. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9112227. [PMID: 34835353 PMCID: PMC8619403 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9112227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2021] [Revised: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
In 2011, an outbreak of hemorrhagic colitis and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) was reported in Europe that was related to a hybrid STEAEC of Escherichia coli (E. coli) O104:H4 strain. The current study aimed to analyze strains of E. coli O104 and O9 isolated before 2011. The study included 47 strains isolated from children with and without diarrhea between 1986 and 2009 from different geographic regions, as well as seven reference strains. Serotyping was carried out on 188 anti-O and 53 anti-H sera. PCR was used to identify DEC genes and phylogenetic groups. Resistance profiles to antimicrobials were determined by diffusion in agar, while PFGE was used to analyze genomic similarity. Five serotypes of E. coli O104 and nine of O9 were identified, as well as an antigenic cross-reaction with one anti-E. coli O9 serum. E. coli O104 and O9 presented diarrheagenic E. coli (DEC) genes in different combinations and were located in commensal phylogenetic groups with different antimicrobial resistance. PFGE showed that O104:H4 and O9:(H4, NM) strains from SSI, Bangladesh and México belong to a diverse group located in the same subgroup. E. coli O104 and O9 were classified as commensal strains containing DEC genes. The groups were genetically diverse with pathogenic potential making continued epidemiologic surveillance important.
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Affiliation(s)
- Armando Navarro
- Public Health Department, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Avenida Universidad 3000, Ciudad Universitaria, México City 04510, Mexico;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +52-5544547025
| | - Claudia van der Ploeg
- Servicio de Antígenos y Antisueros, Instituto Nacional de Producción de Biológicos (INPB)—ANLIS “Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán”, Buenos Aires 1282, Argentina; (C.v.d.P.); (A.R.)
| | - Ariel Rogé
- Servicio de Antígenos y Antisueros, Instituto Nacional de Producción de Biológicos (INPB)—ANLIS “Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán”, Buenos Aires 1282, Argentina; (C.v.d.P.); (A.R.)
| | - Delia Licona-Moreno
- Public Health Department, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Avenida Universidad 3000, Ciudad Universitaria, México City 04510, Mexico;
| | - Gabriela Delgado
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México City 04510, Mexico; (G.D.); (R.M.-E.)
| | - Rosario Morales-Espinosa
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México City 04510, Mexico; (G.D.); (R.M.-E.)
| | - Alejandro Cravioto
- Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México City 04510, Mexico;
| | - Carlos Eslava
- Peripheral Unit of Basic and Clinical Research in Infectious Diseases, Public Health Department, Research Division, Faculty of Medicine Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Bacterial Pathogenicity Laboratory, Hemato-Oncology and Research Unit, Children’s Hospital of Mexico Federico Gómez, Dr. Márquez 162, Col. De los Doctores, México City 06720, Mexico;
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6
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Hua Y, Chromek M, Frykman A, Jernberg C, Georgieva V, Hansson S, Zhang J, Marits AK, Wan C, Matussek A, Bai X. Whole-genome characterization of hemolytic uremic syndrome-causing Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli in Sweden. Virulence 2021; 12:1296-1305. [PMID: 33939581 PMCID: PMC8096335 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2021.1922010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli, a foodborne bacterial pathogen, has been linked to a broad spectrum of clinical outcomes ranging from asymptomatic carriage to fatal hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Here, we collected clinical data and STEC strains from HUS patients from 1994 through 2018, whole-genome sequencing was performed to molecularly characterize HUS-associated STEC strains, statistical analysis was conducted to identify bacterial genetic factors associated with severe outcomes in HUS patients. O157:H7 was the most predominant serotype (57%) among 54 HUS-associated STEC strains, followed by O121:H19 (19%) and O26:H11 (7%). Notably, some non-predominant serotypes such as O59:H17 (2%) and O109:H21 (2%) also caused HUS. All O157:H7 strains with one exception belonged to clade 8. During follow-up at a median of 4 years, 41% of the patients had renal sequelae. Fifty-nine virulence genes were found to be statistically associated with severe renal sequelae, these genes encoded type II and type III secretion system effectors, chaperones, and other factors. Notably, virulence genes associated with severe clinical outcomes were significantly more prevalent in O157:H7 strains. In contrast, genes related to mild symptoms were evenly distributed across all serotypes. The whole-genome phylogeny indicated high genomic diversity among HUS-STEC strains. No distinct cluster was found between HUS and non-HUS STEC strains. The current study showed that O157:H7 remains the main cause of STEC-associated HUS, despite the rising importance of other non-O157 serotypes. Besides, O157:H7 is associated with severe renal sequelae in the follow-up, which could be a risk factor for long-term prognosis in HUS patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Hua
- Department of Microbiology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Milan Chromek
- Division of Pediatrics, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anne Frykman
- Queen Silvia Children's Hospital, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Department of Pediatrics, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | | | - Valya Georgieva
- Division of Pediatrics, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sverker Hansson
- Queen Silvia Children's Hospital, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Department of Pediatrics, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Ji Zhang
- Molecular Epidemiology and Public Health Laboratory, School of Veterinary Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Ann Katrine Marits
- Division of Pediatrics, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Chengsong Wan
- Department of Microbiology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Andreas Matussek
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden.,Laboratory Medicine, Jönköping Region County, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, Jönköping, Sweden.,Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,Division of Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Norway
| | - Xiangning Bai
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden.,Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden.,State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
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7
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Haendiges J, Jinneman K, Gonzalez-Escalona N. Choice of library preparation affects sequence quality, genome assembly, and precise in silico prediction of virulence genes in shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0242294. [PMID: 33761524 PMCID: PMC7990515 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0242294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Whole genome sequencing (WGS) provides essential public health information and is used worldwide for pathogen surveillance, epidemiology, and source tracking. Foodborne pathogens are often sequenced using rapid library preparation chemistries based on transposon technology; however, this method may miss random segments of genomes that can be important for accurate downstream analyses. As new technologies become available, it may become possible to achieve better overall coverage. Here we compare the sequence quality obtained using libraries prepared from the Nextera XT and Nextera DNA Prep (Illumina, San Diego, CA) chemistries for 31 Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O121:H19 strains, which had been isolated from flour during a 2016 outbreak. The Nextera DNA Prep gave superior performance metrics including sequence quality, assembly quality, uniformity of genome coverage, and virulence gene identification, among other metrics. Comprehensive detection of virulence genes is essential for making educated assessments of STECs virulence potential. The phylogenetic SNP analysis did not show any differences in the variants detected by either library preparation method which allows isolates prepared from either library method to be analysed together. Our comprehensive comparison of these chemistries should assist researchers wishing to improve their sequencing workflow for STECs and other genomic risk assessments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Haendiges
- Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Food and Drug Administration, College Park, Maryland, United States of America
- * E-mail: (JH); (NGE)
| | - Karen Jinneman
- Office of Regulatory Affairs, Food and Drug Administration, Bothell, Washington, United States of America
| | - Narjol Gonzalez-Escalona
- Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Food and Drug Administration, College Park, Maryland, United States of America
- * E-mail: (JH); (NGE)
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8
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Riley LW. Distinguishing Pathovars from Nonpathovars: Escherichia coli. Microbiol Spectr 2020; 8:10.1128/microbiolspec.ame-0014-2020. [PMID: 33385193 PMCID: PMC10773148 DOI: 10.1128/microbiolspec.ame-0014-2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Escherichia coli is one of the most well-adapted and pathogenically versatile bacterial organisms. It causes a variety of human infections, including gastrointestinal illnesses and extraintestinal infections. It is also part of the intestinal commensal flora of humans and other mammals. Groups of E. coli that cause diarrhea are often described as intestinal pathogenic E. coli (IPEC), while those that cause infections outside of the gut are called extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC). IPEC can cause a variety of diarrheal illnesses as well as extraintestinal syndromes such as hemolytic-uremic syndrome. ExPEC cause urinary tract infections, bloodstream infection, sepsis, and neonatal meningitis. IPEC and ExPEC have thus come to be referred to as pathogenic variants of E. coli or pathovars. While IPEC can be distinguished from commensal E. coli based on their characteristic virulence factors responsible for their associated clinical manifestations, ExPEC cannot be so easily distinguished. IPEC most likely have reservoirs outside of the human intestine but it is unclear if ExPEC represent nothing more than commensal E. coli that breach a sterile barrier to cause extraintestinal infections. This question has become more complicated by the advent of whole genome sequencing (WGS) that has raised a new question about the taxonomic characterization of E. coli based on traditional clinical microbiologic and phylogenetic methods. This review discusses how molecular epidemiologic approaches have been used to address these questions, and how answers to these questions may contribute to our better understanding of the epidemiology of infections caused by E. coli. *This article is part of a curated collection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lee W Riley
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
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9
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Ingle DJ, Gonçalves da Silva A, Valcanis M, Ballard SA, Seemann T, Jennison AV, Bastian I, Wise R, Kirk MD, Howden BP, Williamson DA. Emergence and divergence of major lineages of Shiga-toxin-producing Escherichia coli in Australia. Microb Genom 2019; 5. [PMID: 31107203 PMCID: PMC6562248 DOI: 10.1099/mgen.0.000268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Shiga-toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) infection is an important global cause of foodborne disease. To date however, genomics-based studies of STEC have been predominately focused upon STEC collected in the Northern Hemisphere. Here, we demonstrate the population structure of 485 STEC isolates in Australia, and show that several clonal groups (CGs) common to Australia were infrequently detected in a representative selection of contemporary STEC genomes from around the globe. Further, phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that lineage II of the global O157:H7 STEC was most prevalent in Australia, and was characterized by a frameshift mutation in flgF, resulting in the H-non-motile phenotype. Strong concordance between in silico and phenotypic serotyping was observed, along with concordance between in silico and conventional detection of stx genes. These data represent the most comprehensive STEC analysis from the Southern Hemisphere, and provide a framework for future national genomics-based surveillance of STEC in Australia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle J. Ingle
- Microbiological Diagnostic Unit Public Health Laboratory at the University of Melbourne, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Australia
- National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Anders Gonçalves da Silva
- Microbiological Diagnostic Unit Public Health Laboratory at the University of Melbourne, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Mary Valcanis
- Microbiological Diagnostic Unit Public Health Laboratory at the University of Melbourne, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Susan A. Ballard
- Microbiological Diagnostic Unit Public Health Laboratory at the University of Melbourne, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Torsten Seemann
- Microbiological Diagnostic Unit Public Health Laboratory at the University of Melbourne, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Australia
- Melbourne Bioinformatics Group, Victoria, Australia
| | - Amy V. Jennison
- Public Health Microbiology, Forensic and Scientific Services, Queensland Department of Health, Queensland, Australia
| | | | - Rolf Wise
- SA Pathology, South Australia, Australia
| | - Martyn D. Kirk
- National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Benjamin P. Howden
- Microbiological Diagnostic Unit Public Health Laboratory at the University of Melbourne, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Australia
- Doherty Applied Microbial Genomics, Department Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Deborah A. Williamson
- Microbiological Diagnostic Unit Public Health Laboratory at the University of Melbourne, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Australia
- *Correspondence: Deborah A. Williamson,
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Silva CJ, Lee BG, Yambao JC, Erickson-Beltran ML, Quiñones B. Using Nanospray Liquid Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry to Quantitate Shiga Toxin Production in Environmental Escherichia coli Recovered from a Major Produce Production Region in California. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2019; 67:1554-1562. [PMID: 30485086 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.8b05324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
A set of 45 environmental strains of Shiga toxin producing Escherichia coli (STEC) from three California counties were analyzed for Shiga toxin production by nanospray liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and Vero cell bioassay. The STEC in this set comprised six serotypes ((O113:H21, O121:H19, O157:H7, O6:H34, O177:H25, and O185:H7) each containing either the stx2a or stx2c operon. Six of the seven O113:H21 were found to contain two distinct stx2a operons. Eight strains of O157:H7 possessed a stx2c operon whose A subunit gene was interrupted by an insertion sequence (IS1203v). Shiga toxin production was induced by nutrient depletion and quantitated by mass spectrometry. The 37 strains produced Shiga toxins in a near 50-fold range (1.4-49 ng/mL). The IS-interrupted strains expressed low but measurable amounts of the B subunits (0.5-1.9 ng/mL). Another strain possessed an identical stx operon without an IS interruption and produced intact Stx2c (5.7 ng/mL).
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J Silva
- Produce Safety & Microbiology Research Unit , U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Western Regional Research Center , Albany , California 94710 , United States
| | - Bertram G Lee
- Produce Safety & Microbiology Research Unit , U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Western Regional Research Center , Albany , California 94710 , United States
| | - Jaszemyn C Yambao
- Produce Safety & Microbiology Research Unit , U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Western Regional Research Center , Albany , California 94710 , United States
| | - Melissa L Erickson-Beltran
- Produce Safety & Microbiology Research Unit , U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Western Regional Research Center , Albany , California 94710 , United States
| | - Beatriz Quiñones
- Produce Safety & Microbiology Research Unit , U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Western Regional Research Center , Albany , California 94710 , United States
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11
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Hazard Identification and Characterization: Criteria for Categorizing Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli on a Risk Basis †. J Food Prot 2019; 82:7-21. [PMID: 30586326 DOI: 10.4315/0362-028x.jfp-18-291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) comprise a large, highly diverse group of strains. Since the emergence of STEC serotype O157:H7 as an important foodborne pathogen, serotype data have been used for identifying STEC strains, and this use continued as other serotypes were implicated in human infections. An estimated 470 STEC serotypes have been identified, which can produce one or more of the 12 known Shiga toxin (Stx) subtypes. The number of STEC serotypes that cause human illness varies but is probably higher than 100. However, many STEC virulence genes are mobile and can be lost or transferred to other bacteria; therefore, STEC strains that have the same serotype may not carry the same virulence genes or pose the same risk. Although serotype information is useful in outbreak investigations and surveillance studies, it is not a reliable means of assessing the human health risk posed by a particular STEC serotype. To contribute to the development of a set of criteria that would more reliably support hazard identification, this review considered each of the factors contributing to a negative human health outcome: mild diarrhea, bloody diarrhea, and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). STEC pathogenesis involves entry into the human gut (often via ingestion), attachment to the intestinal epithelial cells, and elaboration of Stx. Production of Stx, which disrupts normal cellular functions and causes cell damage, alone without adherence of bacterial cells to gut epithelial cells is insufficient to cause severe illness. The principal adherence factor in STEC is the intimin protein coded by the eae gene. The aggregative adherence fimbriae adhesins regulated by the aggR gene of enteroaggregative E. coli strains are also effective adherence factors. The stx2a gene is most often present in locus of enterocyte effacement ( eae)-positive STEC strains and has consistently been associated with HUS. The stx2a gene has also been found in eae-negative, aggR-positive STEC that have caused HUS. HUS cases where other stx gene subtypes were identified indicate that other factors such as host susceptibility and the genetic cocktail of virulence genes in individual isolates may affect their association with severe diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
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- The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Meetings on Microbiological Risk Assessment (JEMRA) Secretariat, * Food Safety and Quality Unit, Agriculture and Consumer Protection Department, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Viale delle Terme di Caracalla, 00153 Rome, Italy
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12
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Kampmeier S, Berger M, Mellmann A, Karch H, Berger P. The 2011 German Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia Coli O104:H4 Outbreak-The Danger Is Still Out There. Curr Top Microbiol Immunol 2018; 416:117-148. [PMID: 30062592 DOI: 10.1007/82_2018_107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) are Shiga toxin (Stx) producing bacteria causing a disease characterized by bloody (or non-bloody) diarrhea, which might progress to hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). EHEC O104:H4 caused the largest ever recorded EHEC outbreak in Germany in 2011, which in addition showed the so far highest incidence rate of EHEC-related HUS worldwide. The aggressive outbreak strain carries an unusual combination of virulence traits characteristic to both EHEC-a chromosomally integrated Stx-encoding bacteriophage, and enteroaggregative Escherichia coli-pAA plasmid-encoded aggregative adherence fimbriae mediating its tight adhesion to epithelia cells. There are currently still open questions regarding the 2011 EHEC outbreak, e.g., with respect to the exact molecular mechanisms resulting in the hypervirulence of the strain, the natural reservoir of EHEC O104:H4, and suitable therapeutic strategies. Nevertheless, our knowledge on these issues has substantially expanded since 2011. Here, we present an overview of the epidemiological, clinical, microbiological, and molecular biological data available on the 2011 German EHEC O104:H4 outbreak.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michael Berger
- Institute of Hygiene, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | | | - Helge Karch
- Institute of Hygiene, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Petya Berger
- Institute of Hygiene, University of Münster, Münster, Germany.
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Abstract
Escherichia coli has a complex and versatile nature and continuously evolves from non-virulent isolates to highly pathogenic strains causing severe diseases and outbreaks. Broadly protective vaccines against pathogenic E. coli are not available and the rising in both, multi-drug resistant and hypervirulent isolates, raise concern for healthcare and require continuous efforts in epidemiologic surveillance and disease monitoring. The evolving knowledge on E. coli pathogenesis mechanisms and on the mediated immune response following infection or vaccination, together with advances in the "omics" technologies, is opening new perspectives toward the design and development of effective and innovative E. coli vaccines.
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Köckerling E, Karrasch L, Schweitzer A, Razum O, Krause G. Public Health Research Resulting from One of the World's Largest Outbreaks Caused by Entero-Hemorrhagic Escherichia coli in Germany 2011: A Review. Front Public Health 2017; 5:332. [PMID: 29312915 PMCID: PMC5732330 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2017.00332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2017] [Accepted: 11/23/2017] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
In 2011, Germany experienced one of the largest outbreaks of entero-hemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) ever reported. Four years thereafter, we systematically searched for scientific publications in PubMed and MEDPILOT relating to this outbreak in order to assess the pattern of respective research activities and to assess the main findings and recommendations in the field of public health. Following PRISMA guidelines, we selected 133 publications, half of which were published within 17 months after outbreak onset. Clinical medicine was covered by 71, microbiology by 60, epidemiology by 46, outbreak reporting by 11, and food safety by 9 papers. Those on the last three topics drew conclusions on methods in surveillance, diagnosis, and outbreak investigation, on resources in public health, as well as on inter-agency collaboration, and public communication. Although the outbreak primarily affected Germany, most publications were conducted by multinational cooperations. Our findings document how soon and in which fields research was conducted with respect to this outbreak.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Köckerling
- Department of Epidemiology and International Public Health, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany.,Department Münster, Institute for Rehabilitation Research IfR, Münster, Germany
| | - Laura Karrasch
- Department of Epidemiology and International Public Health, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Aparna Schweitzer
- Department of Epidemiology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Oliver Razum
- Department of Epidemiology and International Public Health, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Gérard Krause
- Department of Epidemiology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany.,Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
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15
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Christner M, Dressler D, Andrian M, Reule C, Petrini O. Identification of Shiga-Toxigenic Escherichia coli outbreak isolates by a novel data analysis tool after matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0182962. [PMID: 28877205 PMCID: PMC5587271 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0182962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2016] [Accepted: 05/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The fast and reliable characterization of bacterial and fungal pathogens plays an important role in infectious disease control and tracking of outbreak agents. DNA based methods are the gold standard for epidemiological investigations, but they are still comparatively expensive and time-consuming. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) is a fast, reliable and cost-effective technique now routinely used to identify clinically relevant human pathogens. It has been used for subspecies differentiation and typing, but its use for epidemiological tasks, e. g. for outbreak investigations, is often hampered by the complexity of data analysis. We have analysed publicly available MALDI-TOF mass spectra from a large outbreak of Shiga-Toxigenic Escherichia coli in northern Germany using a general purpose software tool for the analysis of complex biological data. The software was challenged with depauperate spectra and reduced learning group sizes to mimic poor spectrum quality and scarcity of reference spectra at the onset of an outbreak. With high quality formic acid extraction spectra, the software’s built in classifier accurately identified outbreak related strains using as few as 10 reference spectra (99.8% sensitivity, 98.0% specificity). Selective variation of processing parameters showed impaired marker peak detection and reduced classification accuracy in samples with high background noise or artificially reduced peak counts. However, the software consistently identified mass signals suitable for a highly reliable marker peak based classification approach (100% sensitivity, 99.5% specificity) even from low quality direct deposition spectra. The study demonstrates that general purpose data analysis tools can effectively be used for the analysis of bacterial mass spectra.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Christner
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Virology and Hygiene, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Orlando Petrini
- POLE Pharma Consulting, Breganzona, Switzerland
- Swiss Technical Institute of Technology, Zurich, Switzerland
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16
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Affiliation(s)
- Ines Steffens
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Stockholm, Sweden
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17
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Kozyreva VK, Jospin G, Greninger AL, Watt JP, Eisen JA, Chaturvedi V. Recent Outbreaks of Shigellosis in California Caused by Two Distinct Populations of Shigella sonnei with either Increased Virulence or Fluoroquinolone Resistance. mSphere 2016; 1:e00344-16. [PMID: 28028547 PMCID: PMC5177732 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00344-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2016] [Accepted: 11/23/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Shigella sonnei has caused unusually large outbreaks of shigellosis in California in 2014 and 2015. Preliminary data indicated the involvement of two distinct bacterial populations, one from San Diego and San Joaquin (SDi/SJo) and one from the San Francisco (SFr) Bay area. Whole-genome analysis and antibiotic susceptibility testing of 68 outbreak and archival isolates of S. sonnei were performed to investigate the microbiological factors related to these outbreaks. Both SDi/SJo and SFr populations, as well as almost all of the archival S. sonnei isolates belonged to sequence type 152 (ST152). Genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis clustered the majority of California (CA) isolates to an earlier described lineage III. Isolates in the SDi/SJo population had a novel lambdoid bacteriophage carrying genes encoding Shiga toxin (STX) that were most closely related to that found in Escherichia coli O104:H4. However, the STX genes (stx1A and stx1B) from this novel phage had sequences most similar to the phages from Shigella flexneri and S. dysenteriae. The isolates in the SFr population were resistant to ciprofloxacin due to point mutations in gyrA and parC genes and were related to the fluoroquinolone-resistant S. sonnei clade within lineage III that originated in South Asia. The emergence of a highly virulent S. sonnei strain and introduction of a fluoroquinolone-resistant strain reflect the changing traits of this pathogen in California. An enhanced monitoring is advocated for early detection of future outbreaks caused by such strains. IMPORTANCE Shigellosis is an acute diarrheal disease causing nearly half a million infections, 6,000 hospitalizations, and 70 deaths annually in the United States. S. sonnei caused two unusually large outbreaks in 2014 and 2015 in California. We used whole-genome sequencing to understand the pathogenic potential of bacteria involved in these outbreaks. Our results suggest the persistence of a local S. sonnei SDi/SJo clone in California since at least 2008. Recently, a derivative of the original clone acquired the ability to produce Shiga toxin (STX) via exchanges of bacteriophages with other bacteria. STX production is connected with more severe disease, including bloody diarrhea. A second population of S. sonnei that caused an outbreak in the San Francisco area was resistant to fluoroquinolones and showed evidence of connection to a fluoroquinolone-resistant lineage from South Asia. These emerging trends in S. sonnei populations in California must be monitored for future risks of the spread of increasingly virulent and resistant clones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Varvara K. Kozyreva
- Microbial Diseases Laboratory, California Department of Public Health, Richmond, California, USA
| | - Guillaume Jospin
- Genome Center, Department of Evolution and Ecology, Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, USA
| | - Alexander L. Greninger
- Microbial Diseases Laboratory, California Department of Public Health, Richmond, California, USA
| | - James P. Watt
- Division of Communicable Disease Control, California Department of Public Health, Richmond, California, USA
| | - Jonathan A. Eisen
- Genome Center, Department of Evolution and Ecology, Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, USA
| | - Vishnu Chaturvedi
- Microbial Diseases Laboratory, California Department of Public Health, Richmond, California, USA
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18
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Tahden M, Manitz J, Baumgardt K, Fell G, Kneib T, Hegasy G. Epidemiological and Ecological Characterization of the EHEC O104:H4 Outbreak in Hamburg, Germany, 2011. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0164508. [PMID: 27723830 PMCID: PMC5056673 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0164508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2016] [Accepted: 09/25/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In 2011, a large outbreak of entero-hemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) occurred in Germany. The City of Hamburg was the first focus of the epidemic and had the highest incidences among all 16 Federal States of Germany. In this article, we present epidemiological characteristics of the Hamburg notification data. Evaluating the epicurves retrospectively, we found that the first epidemiological signal of the outbreak, which was in form of a HUS case cluster, was received by local health authorities when already 99 EHEC and 48 HUS patients had experienced their first symptoms. However, only two EHEC and seven HUS patients had been notified. Middle-aged women had the highest risk for contracting the infection in Hamburg. Furthermore, we studied timeliness of case notification in the course of the outbreak. To analyze the spatial distribution of EHEC/HUS incidences in 100 districts of Hamburg, we mapped cases' residential addresses using geographic information software. We then conducted an ecological study in order to find a statistical model identifying associations between local socio-economic factors and EHEC/HUS incidences in the epidemic. We employed a Bayesian Poisson model with covariates characterizing the Hamburg districts as well as incorporating structured and unstructured spatial effects. The Deviance Information Criterion was used for stepwise variable selection. We applied different modeling approaches by using primary data, transformed data, and preselected subsets of transformed data in order to identify socio-economic factors characterizing districts where EHEC/HUS outbreak cases had their residence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maike Tahden
- Biometry and Data Management, Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology—BIPS, Bremen, Germany
- Department of Psychology and Cluster of Excellence “Hearing4all”, Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Juliane Manitz
- Department for Statistics and Econometrics, University of Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Klaus Baumgardt
- Division for Environmental Monitoring, Institut fuer Hygiene und Umwelt, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Gerhard Fell
- Centre for Infectious Diseases Epidemiology, Institut fuer Hygiene und Umwelt, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Kneib
- Department for Statistics and Econometrics, University of Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Guido Hegasy
- Centre for Infectious Diseases Epidemiology, Institut fuer Hygiene und Umwelt, Hamburg, Germany
- * E-mail:
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De Rauw K, Detemmerman L, Breynaert J, Piérard D. Detection of Shiga toxin-producing and other diarrheagenic Escherichia coli by the BioFire FilmArray® Gastrointestinal Panel in human fecal samples. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2016; 35:1479-86. [PMID: 27259710 DOI: 10.1007/s10096-016-2688-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2016] [Accepted: 05/18/2016] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of this investigation was the evaluation of the performance of the BioFire FilmArray® Gastrointestinal (FA-GI) Panel, a multiplexed molecular stool screening assay, for the detection of diarrheagenic Escherichia coli (DEC), with emphasis on Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC). A dilution series of 12 STEC reference strains was tested with the FA-GI Panel to assess the analytical sensitivity. A total of 389 patient samples were analyzed with the FA-GI Panel and confirmation of the detected DEC was attempted with an in-house culture-based polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. All Shiga toxin genes, except the one encoding Stx2f, were detected in bacterial dilutions ranging from 10(4) to 10(2) colony-forming units (CFU)/ml. eae + stx2f + STEC was misclassified as enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC). Different sensitivities for various gene targets present in one isolate led to differing identifications depending on the concentration. Using the in-house method as a reference, the FA-GI Panel had a sensitivity of 90.6 % [confidence interval (CI) 75.0 %-98.0 %] and a specificity of 97.2 % (CI 94.9 %-98.6 %) for STEC detection in feces. At least one DEC was reported in 35.5 % (171/389) of the patient specimens, with EPEC being the most prevalent (n = 71). Only 59.7 % of the detected DEC could be confirmed, presumably because the comparator method was not applied directly on feces. The FA-GI Panel could not detect the stx2f subtype, misclassified certain pathogens, and the high detection rate of EPEC needs further investigation. Nevertheless, we believe that this sensitive and convenient system will prove to be an invaluable tool for the rapid diagnosis of most DEC infections, but culturing of the detected microorganisms should always be attempted.
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Affiliation(s)
- K De Rauw
- Department of Microbiology, National Reference Centre for STEC/VTEC, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090, Brussels, Belgium.
| | - L Detemmerman
- Department of Microbiology, National Reference Centre for STEC/VTEC, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090, Brussels, Belgium.,LaCAR MDX Technologies, Liège, Belgium
| | - J Breynaert
- Department of Microbiology, National Reference Centre for STEC/VTEC, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090, Brussels, Belgium
| | - D Piérard
- Department of Microbiology, National Reference Centre for STEC/VTEC, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090, Brussels, Belgium
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Yeni F, Acar S, Soyer Y, Alpas H. How can we improve foodborne disease surveillance systems: A comparison through EU and US systems. FOOD REVIEWS INTERNATIONAL 2016. [DOI: 10.1080/87559129.2016.1175018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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Brusa V, Piñeyro PE, Galli L, Linares LH, Ortega EE, Padola NL, Leotta GA. Isolation of Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli from Ground Beef Using Multiple Combinations of Enrichment Broths and Selective Agars. Foodborne Pathog Dis 2016; 13:163-70. [PMID: 26836701 DOI: 10.1089/fpd.2015.2034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) are foodborne pathogens, and beef cattle are recognized as the principal reservoir. The aims of this study were (1) to identify the most sensitive combination of selective enrichment broths and agars for STEC isolation in artificially inoculated ground beef samples, and (2) to evaluate the most efficient combination(s) of methods for naturally contaminated ground beef samples. A total of 192 ground beef samples were artificially inoculated with STEC and non-stx bacterial strains. A combination of four enrichment broths and three agars were evaluated for sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value for STEC isolation from experimentally inoculated samples. Enrichments with either modified tryptic soy broth (mTSB) containing 8 mg/L novobiocin (mTSB-8) or modified Escherichia coli (mEC) broth followed by isolation in MacConkey agar were the most sensitive combinations for STEC isolation of artificially inoculated samples. Independently, both enrichments media followed by isolation in MacConkey were used to evaluate ground beef samples from 43 retail stores, yielding 65.1% and 58.1% stx-positive samples by RT-PCR, respectively. No difference was observed in the isolate proportions between these two methods (8/25 [32%] and 8/28 [28.6%]). Identical serotypes and stx genotypes were observed in STEC strains isolated from the same samples by either method. In this study, no single enrichment protocol was sufficient to detect all STEC in artificially inoculated samples and had considerable variation in detection ability with naturally contaminated samples. Moreover, none of the single or combinations of multiple isolation agars used were capable of identifying all STEC serogroups in either artificially inoculated or naturally occurring STEC-contaminated ground beef. Therefore, it may be prudent to conclude that there is no single method or combination of isolation methods capable of identifying all STEC serogroups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Brusa
- 1 Laboratorio de Microbiología de Alimentos, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional de La Plata (UNLP) , Buenos Aires, Argentina .,3 Instituto de Genética Veterinaria "Ing. Fernando N. Dulout," Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) La Plata, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias UNLP , Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Pablo E Piñeyro
- 2 Department of Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University , Ames, Iowa
| | - Lucía Galli
- 3 Instituto de Genética Veterinaria "Ing. Fernando N. Dulout," Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) La Plata, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias UNLP , Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Luciano H Linares
- 1 Laboratorio de Microbiología de Alimentos, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional de La Plata (UNLP) , Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Emanuel E Ortega
- 1 Laboratorio de Microbiología de Alimentos, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional de La Plata (UNLP) , Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Nora L Padola
- 4 Centro de Investigación Veterinaria Tandil, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (CICPBA), Facultad Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires , Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Gerardo A Leotta
- 3 Instituto de Genética Veterinaria "Ing. Fernando N. Dulout," Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) La Plata, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias UNLP , Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Ross BN, Rojas-Lopez M, Cieza RJ, McWilliams BD, Torres AG. The Role of Long Polar Fimbriae in Escherichia coli O104:H4 Adhesion and Colonization. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0141845. [PMID: 26517878 PMCID: PMC4636846 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0141845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2015] [Accepted: 10/13/2015] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
A renewed interest in Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) strains was sparked due to the appearance of an outbreak in 2011, causing 3,816 diarrheal cases and some deaths in Europe. The causative strain was classified as enteroaggregative E. coli of serotype O104:H4 that had acquired Shiga toxin genes. The ability of STEC O104:H4 to cause disease relies greatly on the bacteria’s capacity to colonize, persist, and produce Shiga toxin. However, not much is known about the colonization factors of this strain. Because long polar fimbriae (lpf) lpf1 and lpf2 operons encode important colonization factors in other STEC isolates and E. coli O104:H4 possesses both loci, we hypothesized that Lpf is required for adhesion and colonization. In this study, isogenic lpfA1 and lpfA2 major fimbrial subunit mutants were constructed. To determine their role in O104:H4’s virulence, we assessed their ability to adhere to non-polarized and polarized intestinal epithelial cells. The ΔlpfA1 showed decreased adherence in both cell systems, while the ΔlpfA2 only showed a decrease in adherence to polarized Caco-2 cells. We also tested the O104:H4 mutants’ ability to form biofilm and found that the ΔlpfA1 was unable to form a stable biofilm. In an in vivo murine model of intestinal colonization, the ΔlpfA1 had a reduced ability to colonize the cecum and large intestine, consistent with the in vitro data. Further, we tested the lpfA1 mutants’ ability to compete against the wild type. We found that in the in vitro and in vivo models, the presence of the wild type O104:H4 facilitates increased adherence of the ΔlpfA1 to levels exceeding that of the wild type. Overall, our data demonstrated that Lpf1 is one of the factors responsible for O104:H4 intestinal adhesion and colonization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brittany N. Ross
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, 77555–1070, United States of America
| | - Maricarmen Rojas-Lopez
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, 77555–1070, United States of America
| | - Roberto J. Cieza
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, 77555–1070, United States of America
| | - Brian D. McWilliams
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, 77555–1070, United States of America
| | - Alfredo G. Torres
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, 77555–1070, United States of America
- Department of Pathology and Sealy Center for Vaccine Development, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, 77555–1070, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Beermann S, Allerberger F, Wirtz A, Burger R, Hamouda O. Public health microbiology in Germany: 20 years of national reference centers and consultant laboratories. Int J Med Microbiol 2015; 305:595-600. [PMID: 26321004 PMCID: PMC7106537 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmm.2015.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
In 1995, in agreement with the German Federal Ministry of Health, the Robert Koch Institute established a public health microbiology system consisting of national reference centers (NRCs) and consultant laboratories (CLs). The goal was to improve the efficiency of infection protection by advising the authorities on possible measures and to supplement infectious disease surveillance by monitoring selected pathogens that have high public health relevance. Currently, there are 19 NRCs and 40 CLs, each appointed for three years. In 2009, an additional system of national networks of NRCs and CLs was set up in order to enhance effectiveness and cooperation within the national reference laboratory system. The aim of these networks was to advance exchange in diagnostic methods and prevention concepts among reference laboratories and to develop geographic coverage of services. In the last two decades, the German public health laboratory reference system coped with all major infectious disease challenges. The European Union and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) are considering implementing a European public health microbiology reference laboratory system. The German reference laboratory system should be well prepared to participate actively in this upcoming endeavor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Beermann
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Robert Koch Institute, Seestr. 10, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Franz Allerberger
- Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety, Spargelfeldstr. 191, 1220 Vienna, Austria
| | - Angela Wirtz
- Department of Public Health, Ministry of Social Affairs, Hesse, Dostojewskistr. 4, 65187 Wiesbaden, Germany
| | | | - Osamah Hamouda
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Robert Koch Institute, Seestr. 10, 13353 Berlin, Germany.
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Simultaneous Presence of Insertion Sequence Excision Enhancer and Insertion Sequence IS629 Correlates with Increased Diversity and Virulence in Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli. J Clin Microbiol 2015; 53:3466-73. [PMID: 26292302 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.01349-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2015] [Accepted: 08/12/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Although new serotypes of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) emerge constantly, the mechanisms by which these new pathogens arise and the reasons emerging serotypes tend to carry more virulence genes than other E. coli are not understood. An insertion sequence (IS) excision enhancer (IEE) was discovered in EHEC O157:H7 that promoted the excision of IS3 family members and generating various genomic deletions. One IS3 family member, IS629, actively transposes and proliferates in EHEC O157:H7 and enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) O139 and O149. The simultaneous presence of the IEE and IS629 (and other IS3 family members) may be part of a system promoting not only adaptation and genome diversification in E. coli O157:H7 but also contributing to the development of pathogenicity among predominant serotypes. Prevalence comparisons of these elements in 461 strains, representing 72 different serotypes and 5 preassigned seropathotypes (SPT) A to E, showed that the presence of these two elements simultaneously was serotype specific and associated with highly pathogenic serotypes (O157 and top non-O157 Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli [STEC]) implicated in outbreaks and sporadic cases of human illness (SPT A and B). Serotypes lacking one or both elements were less likely to have been isolated from clinical cases. Our comparisons of IEE sequences showed sequence variations that could be divided into at least three clusters. Interestingly, the IEE sequences from O157 and the top 10 non-O157 STEC serotypes fell into clusters I and II, while less commonly isolated serotypes O5 and O174 fell into cluster III. These results suggest that IS629 and IEE elements may be acting synergistically to promote genome plasticity and genetic diversity among STEC strains, enhancing their abilities to adapt to hostile environments and rapidly take up virulence factors.
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Investigation of travel-related cases in a multinational outbreak: example of the Shiga-toxin producing E. coli outbreak in Germany, May-June 2011. Epidemiol Infect 2015; 143:3468-74. [PMID: 25906969 DOI: 10.1017/s0950268814003823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Early investigation of travel-related cases in an outbreak of an emerging infectious disease can provide useful information to epidemiologists to characterize the exposure, while they may differ in demographic profiles from cases reported in the country where the outbreak has occurred. During the spring 2011 E. coli outbreak in Germany, we proposed a methodological approach to collect a minimal set of demographic and clinical data that are relatively easy to obtain and available at an early stage of an outbreak investigation. Ninety-eight STEC O104 travel-related cases were reported in a survey by seven EU countries, Switzerland, Canada and the USA. We found a mean incubation period (n = 50) of 8·5 days, which confirmed previous estimations communicated by the Robert Koch Institute. No significant association was found between the duration of the incubation period and possible demographic and clinical factors, although the older the age, the shorter the incubation period that was observed. Such approach and observations are informative for further investigations of outbreaks of enterohaemorrhagic E. coli or other emerging infectious diseases.
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van de Venter EC, Oliver I, Stuart JM. Timeliness of epidemiological outbreak investigations in peer-reviewed European publications, January 2003 to August 2013. Euro Surveill 2015; 20. [DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es2015.20.6.21035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Binary file ES_Abstracts_Final_ECDC.txt matches
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Affiliation(s)
- E C van de Venter
- Public Health England, Bristol, United Kingdom
- South West Public Health Training Programme, Health Education South West, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - I Oliver
- School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
- Field Epidemiology Service, Public Health England, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - J M Stuart
- School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
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27
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Shin J, Oh SS, Oh KH, Park JH, Jang EJ, Chung GT, Yoo CK, Bae GR, Cho SH. An Outbreak of Foodborne Illness Caused by Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli in a High School in South Korea. Jpn J Infect Dis 2015; 68:514-9. [DOI: 10.7883/yoken.jjid.2014.460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jaeseung Shin
- Division of Epidemic Intelligence Service, Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
| | - Sung-Suk Oh
- Division of Microbiology, Incheon Research Institute of Public Health and Environment
| | - Kyung-Hwan Oh
- Division of Enteric Diseases, Center for Infectious Diseases, Korea National Institute of Health
| | - Ji-Hyuk Park
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Dongguk University College of Medicine
| | - Eun Jung Jang
- Division of Epidemic Intelligence Service, Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
| | - Gyung Tae Chung
- Division of Enteric Diseases, Center for Infectious Diseases, Korea National Institute of Health
| | - Cheon-Kwon Yoo
- Division of Enteric Diseases, Center for Infectious Diseases, Korea National Institute of Health
| | - Geun-Ryang Bae
- Division of Epidemic Intelligence Service, Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
| | - Seung-Hak Cho
- Division of Enteric Diseases, Center for Infectious Diseases, Korea National Institute of Health
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28
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Abstract
In this paper, we introduce a new powerful scientific paradigm to understand natural and cultural processes. This new paradigm is based on two fundamental keywords: Data, as representative sample of the process we need to analyze, and Artificial Adaptive Systems, as a new mathematical technique able to make explicit the nonlinearity embedded in the process. We will try to make explicit these concepts analyzing how the distribution of events into the physical space may reveal the hidden logic connecting these events together.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimo Buscema
- a Semeion Research Center of Sciences of Communication , Rome , Italy
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29
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Clustering of clinical and environmental Escherichia coli O104 isolates using the DiversiLab™ repetitive sequence-based PCR system. Curr Microbiol 2014; 70:436-40. [PMID: 25447271 DOI: 10.1007/s00284-014-0728-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2014] [Accepted: 10/05/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
The DiversiLab™ rep-PCR system was used to amplify DNA regions of 28 well-characterized Escherichia coli O104 strains to generate a digital DNA fingerprint profile for strain differentiation. E. coli O104 strains from human stools and other sources were examined. The results indicate that this system can cluster similar O104 strains rapidly.
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30
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Defining pathogenic verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli (VTEC) from cases of human infection in the European Union, 2007–2010. Epidemiol Infect 2014; 143:1652-61. [DOI: 10.1017/s095026881400137x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
SUMMARYDuring 2007–2010, 13 545 confirmed human verocytotoxin (VT)-producing Escherichia coli (VTEC) infections were reported in the European Union, including 777 haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) cases. Clinical manifestations were reported for 53% of cases, 64% of which presented with diarrhoea alone and 10% with HUS. Isolates from 85% of cases were not fully serotyped and could not be classified on the basis of the Karmali seropathotype concept. There is no single or combination of phenotypic or genetic marker(s) that fully define ‘pathogenic’ VTEC. Isolates which contain the vtx2 (verocytotoxin 2) gene in combination with the eae (intimin-encoding) gene or aaiC (secreted protein of enteroaggregative E. coli) and aggR (plasmid-encoded regulator) genes have been associated with a higher risk of more severe illness. A molecular approach targeting genes encoding VT and other virulence determinants is thus proposed to allow an assessment of the potential severity of disease that may be associated with a given VTEC isolate.
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31
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Martínez-Vaz BM, Fink RC, Diez-Gonzalez F, Sadowsky MJ. Enteric pathogen-plant interactions: molecular connections leading to colonization and growth and implications for food safety. Microbes Environ 2014; 29:123-35. [PMID: 24859308 PMCID: PMC4103518 DOI: 10.1264/jsme2.me13139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2013] [Accepted: 01/19/2014] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Leafy green vegetables have been identified as a source of foodborne illnesses worldwide over the past decade. Human enteric pathogens, such as Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella, have been implicated in numerous food poisoning outbreaks associated with the consumption of fresh produce. An understanding of the mechanisms responsible for the establishment of pathogenic bacteria in or on vegetable plants is critical for understanding and ameliorating this problem as well as ensuring the safety of our food supply. While previous studies have described the growth and survival of enteric pathogens in the environment and also the risk factors associated with the contamination of vegetables, the molecular events involved in the colonization of fresh produce by enteric pathogens are just beginning to be elucidated. This review summarizes recent findings on the interactions of several bacterial pathogens with leafy green vegetables. Changes in gene expression linked to the bacterial attachment and colonization of plant structures are discussed in light of their relevance to plant-microbe interactions. We propose a mechanism for the establishment and association of enteric pathogens with plants and discuss potential strategies to address the problem of foodborne illness linked to the consumption of leafy green vegetables.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ryan C. Fink
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Minnesota, St Paul, MN 55108, USA
| | | | - Michael J. Sadowsky
- Biotechnology Institute, University of Minnesota, St Paul, MN 55108, USA
- Department of Soil, Water and Climate, University of Minnesota, St Paul, MN 55108, USA
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32
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Radosavljevic V, Finke EJ, Belojevic G. Escherichia coli O104:H4 outbreak in Germany--clarification of the origin of the epidemic. Eur J Public Health 2014; 25:125-9. [PMID: 24736168 DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/cku048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In 2011, Germany was hit by one of its largest outbreaks of acute gastroenteritis and haemolytic uraemic syndrome caused by a new emerging enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli O104:H4 strain. The German Haemolytic Uraemic Syndrome/Enterohaemorrhagic E. coli (GHUSEC) outbreak had unusual microbiological, infectiological and epidemiological features and its origin is still only partially solved. The aim of this article is to contribute to the clarification of the origin of the epidemic. METHODS To retrospectively assess whether the GHUSEC outbreak was natural, accidental or a deliberate one, we analysed it according to three published scoring and differentiation models. Data for application of these models were obtained by literature review in the database Medline for the period 2011-13. RESULTS The analysis of the unusual GHUSEC outbreak shows that the present official assumption of its natural origin is questionable and pointed out to a probability that the pathogen could have also been introduced accidentally or intentionally in the food chain. CONCLUSION The possibility of an accidental or deliberate epidemic should not be discarded. Further epidemiological, microbiological and forensic analyses are needed to clarify the GHUSEC outbreak.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladan Radosavljevic
- 1 Military Academy, University of Defense, Belgrade, Serbia 2 Medical Corps Headquarters, Army of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Ernst-Jürgen Finke
- 3 Senior Scientist, ret., Specialist of Microbiology, Virology and Infection Epidemiology, Munich, Germany
| | - Goran Belojevic
- 4 Institute of Hygiene and Medical Ecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Serbia
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33
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Miya S, Takahashi H, Hashimoto M, Nakazawa M, Kuda T, Koiso H, Kimura B. Development of a controlling method for Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella spp. in fresh market beef by using polylysine and modified atmosphere packaging. Food Control 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodcont.2013.09.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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34
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The present review will highlight recent advances in the knowledge of emerging pathogens causing infectious colitis and provide a description of the most important food-borne outbreaks. RECENT FINDINGS Outbreaks of enteric disease caused by Salmonella spp., Campylobacter spp., and Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) continue to surprise with new epidemiological findings or changing virulence characteristics. These pathogens evolve to exploit novel opportunities for spread and transmission, such as fresh produce within the food chain, and generate new public health challenges. Organic sprouts were recently considered as the source responsible for a large German disease outbreak comprising 3842 patients. The outbreak strain was identified as an enteroaggregative STEC O104:H4 (EAggC), a rare hybrid pathogen that harbours the phage encoded Shiga toxin gene and antibiotic resistance in an EAggEC background. Clostridium difficile PCR ribotype 078 is emerging across Europe, causing severe disease outside healthcare facilities as well as disease in farm animals, indicating that the species border has been crossed. Although the global impact of cryptosporidiosis is less pronounced, these organisms have been responsible for large outbreaks of infectious diarrhoea, often not reported. Invasive listeriosis is a serious food-borne illness and was found recently in 28 US states affecting 147 patients, associated with eating contaminated cantaloupe. Outbreaks of gastroenteritis caused by Listeria monocytogenes are most likely severely underestimated. Centralized surveillance of food-borne enteropathogens is essential for the early detection of disease outbreaks and for the organization of an immediate and appropriate response. SUMMARY An improved understanding of the pathogenesis, pathology and epidemiology of emerging enteropathogens causing infectious colitis will provide new approaches for disease prevention and control.
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35
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Matheus-Guimarães C, Gonçalves EM, Cabilio Guth BE. Interactions of O157 and non-O157 Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) recovered from bovine hide and carcass with human cells and abiotic surfaces. Foodborne Pathog Dis 2013; 11:248-55. [PMID: 24313785 DOI: 10.1089/fpd.2013.1653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Different structures related to biofilm formation by Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC), particularly O157 strains, have been described, but there are few data regarding their involvement in non-O157 strains. The aim of this study was to determine the ability of 14 O157 and 8 non-O157 strains isolated from bovine hide and carcass to interact with biotic and abiotic surfaces and also to evaluate the role of different adhesins. Biofilm formation assays showed that four O157 and two non-O157 strains were able to adhere to glass, and that only one O157 strain adhered to polystyrene. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction was carried out using biofilm-forming strains to determine the expression of antigen 43 (Ag43), curli, type 1 fimbriae, STEC autotransporter contributing to biofilm formation (Sab), calcium-binding antigen 43 homologue (Cah), and autotransporter protein of enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EhaA). Most of these structures were expressed under biofilm conditions. However, the lack of Ag43 in one non-O157 strain, as well as Cah and EhaA in two O157 strains, suggests that other adhesins are involved in biofilm formation in these strains. Despite the fact that adherence to HeLa cells was detected in 20 strains (91%), it was not possible to correlate biofilm formation with adherence patterns. Invasiveness in T84 and Caco-2 cells was observed in four and three O157 strains, respectively. Altogether, we showed that there are different sets of genes involved in the interactions of STEC with biotic and abiotic surfaces. Interestingly, one O157 strain that was able to form biofilm on both glass and polystyrene also adhered to and invaded human cells, indicating an important route for its persistence in the environment and interaction with the host. Additionally, the ability of non-O157 strains not carrying the LEE pathogenicity island to form biofilm highlights an industrial and health problem that cannot be neglected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Matheus-Guimarães
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo , São Paulo, Brazil
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36
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Scientific Opinion on the evaluation of molecular typing methods for major food‐borne microbiological hazards and their use for attribution modelling, outbreak investigation and scanning surveillance: Part 1 (evaluation of methods and applications). EFSA J 2013. [DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2013.3502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
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37
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Allerberger F. [Structural requirements and conditions for effective microbiological diagnostics in disease outbreak]. Bundesgesundheitsblatt Gesundheitsforschung Gesundheitsschutz 2013; 56:22-7. [PMID: 23275952 DOI: 10.1007/s00103-012-1579-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
After the International Health Regulations of 2005, 194 states agreed to minimal standards to assure health; accordingly, the obligation for safeguarding appropriate laboratory diagnostic capacities has existed under international law since 15 June 2007. Basically, developing and optimizing faster and more innovative testing methods should be the main aim of public health reference laboratories in order to guarantee optimal outbreak detection, control measures, and patient management. All these measures can only be successfully implemented if microbiological primary diagnostics remain comprehensive and do not fall victim to apparent budgetary restrictions. Effective microbiological diagnostics not only help the patient who is directly affected, but also have an effect on the efforts of public health services in controlling infectious disease. In this respect, microbiological routine diagnostics differ substantially from medical-chemical laboratory diagnostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Allerberger
- Österr. Agentur für Gesundheit und Ernährungssicherheit, Spargelfeldstr. 191, 1220, Wien, Österreich.
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38
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Krause G, Frank C, Gilsdorf A, Mielke M, Schaade L, Stark K, Burger R. [The 2011 HUS epidemic in Germany. Challenges for disease control: what should be improved?]. Bundesgesundheitsblatt Gesundheitsforschung Gesundheitsschutz 2013; 56:56-66. [PMID: 23275957 DOI: 10.1007/s00103-012-1585-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
From May to July 2011 [corrected] the world's largest outbreak of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) occurred in northern Germany with dramatic consequences for the population, the health care system and the food industry. In the following we examine the detection of the outbreak, epidemic management and related public communication aspects based on scientific publications, media reports as well as own and new data analyses. The subsequent 17 recommendations concern issues such as participation in and implementation of existing and new surveillance systems particularly with respect to physicians, broad application of finely tuned microbiological typing, improved personnel capacity and crisis management structures within the public health service and evidence-based communication by administrations and scientific associations. Outbreaks of similar dimensions can inevitably occur again and result in costs which will far exceed investments needed for early detection and control. This societal balance should be taken into account in spite of limited resources in the public health sector.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Krause
- Robert Koch-Institut, DGZ-Ring 1, 13086, Berlin, Deutschland.
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39
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A prolonged investigation of an STEC-O104 cluster in Hesse, Germany, 2011 and implications for outbreak management. J Public Health (Oxf) 2013. [DOI: 10.1007/s10389-013-0595-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
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40
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Mdluli F, Thamaga-Chitja J, Schmidt S. Appraisal of hygiene indicators and farming practices in the production of leafy vegetables by organic small-scale farmers in uMbumbulu (Rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa). INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2013; 10:4323-38. [PMID: 24065036 PMCID: PMC3799505 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph10094323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2013] [Revised: 08/09/2013] [Accepted: 09/04/2013] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
During October, November and December 2011 (when highest sales of Agri-Hub fresh produce are observed), irrigation water, compost, lettuce and spinach sampled from four different farmer cooperatives supplying the local Agri-Hub in uMbumbulu (KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa) were analyzed monthly for the presence of total and fecal coliforms and Escherichia coli using the most probable number (MPN) technique. The pH values for all irrigation water samples analyzed were within the acceptable range of 6.5-8.5 for agricultural use. Fecal coliform levels were <1,000 MPN per 100 mL irrigation water and <1,000 MPN per g of compost. The vegetables produced by Agri-Hub small-scale farmers met the requirements for total coliforms of <200/g set by the South African Department of Health at the time of sampling. E. coli MPN values for irrigation water and vegetables were below the limit of detection. In addition, the farming practices of 73 farmers were assessed via a survey. The results revealed that more than 40% of farmers used microbiologically safe tap water for irrigation and that trained farmers have a significantly better understanding of the importance of production hygiene than untrained farmers. These results reiterate the importance of interventions that build capacity in the area of food safety and hygiene of small-scale farmers for market access of formal value chains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fezile Mdluli
- Discipline of Food Security, School of Agricultural, Environmental and Earth Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Pietermaritzburg 3209, South Africa; E-Mails: (F.M.); (J.T.-C.)
| | - Joyce Thamaga-Chitja
- Discipline of Food Security, School of Agricultural, Environmental and Earth Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Pietermaritzburg 3209, South Africa; E-Mails: (F.M.); (J.T.-C.)
| | - Stefan Schmidt
- Discipline of Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Pietermaritzburg 3209, South Africa
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41
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Karlsson OE, Hansen T, Knutsson R, Löfström C, Granberg F, Berg M. Metagenomic Detection Methods in Biopreparedness Outbreak Scenarios. Biosecur Bioterror 2013; 11 Suppl 1:S146-57. [DOI: 10.1089/bsp.2012.0077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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42
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Rosin P, Niskanen T, Palm D, Struelens M, Takkinen J. Laboratory preparedness for detection and monitoring of Shiga toxin 2-producing Escherichia coli O104:H4 in Europe and response to the 2011 outbreak. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013; 18. [PMID: 23806297 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es2013.18.25.20508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
A hybrid strain of enteroaggregative and Shiga toxin 2-producing Escherichia coli (EAEC-STEC) serotype O104:H4 strain caused a large outbreak of haemolytic uraemic syndrome and bloody diarrhoea in 2011 in Europe. Two surveys were performed in the European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA) countries to assess their laboratory capabilities to detect and characterise this previously uncommon STEC strain. Prior to the outbreak, 11 of the 32 countries in this survey had capacity at national reference laboratory (NRL) level for epidemic case confirmation according to the EU definition. During the outbreak, at primary diagnostic level, nine countries reported that clinical microbiology laboratories routinely used Shiga toxin detection assays suitable for diagnosis of infections with EAEC-STEC O104:H4, while 14 countries had NRL capacity to confirm epidemic cases. Six months after the outbreak, 22 countries reported NRL capacity to confirm such cases following initiatives taken by NRLs and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) Food- and Waterborne Disease and Zoonoses laboratory network. These data highlight the challenge of detection and confirmation of epidemic infections caused by atypical STEC strains and the benefits of coordinated EU laboratory networks to strengthen capabilities in response to a major outbreak.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Rosin
- Microbiology Coordination section, European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Stockholm, Sweden.
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43
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Cooley MB, Jay-Russell M, Atwill ER, Carychao D, Nguyen K, Quiñones B, Patel R, Walker S, Swimley M, Pierre-Jerome E, Gordus AG, Mandrell RE. Development of a robust method for isolation of shiga toxin-positive Escherichia coli (STEC) from fecal, plant, soil and water samples from a leafy greens production region in California. PLoS One 2013; 8:e65716. [PMID: 23762414 PMCID: PMC3675059 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0065716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2013] [Accepted: 04/26/2013] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
During a 2.5-year survey of 33 farms and ranches in a major leafy greens production region in California, 13,650 produce, soil, livestock, wildlife, and water samples were tested for Shiga toxin (stx)-producing Escherichia coli (STEC). Overall, 357 and 1,912 samples were positive for E. coli O157:H7 (2.6%) or non-O157 STEC (14.0%), respectively. Isolates differentiated by O-typing ELISA and multilocus variable number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) resulted in 697 O157:H7 and 3,256 non-O157 STEC isolates saved for further analysis. Cattle (7.1%), feral swine (4.7%), sediment (4.4%), and water (3.3%) samples were positive for E. coli O157:H7; 7/32 birds, 2/145 coyotes, 3/88 samples from elk also were positive. Non-O157 STEC were at approximately 5-fold higher incidence compared to O157 STEC: cattle (37.9%), feral swine (21.4%), birds (2.4%), small mammals (3.5%), deer or elk (8.3%), water (14.0%), sediment (12.3%), produce (0.3%) and soil adjacent to produce (0.6%). stx1, stx2 and stx1/stx2 genes were detected in 63%, 74% and 35% of STEC isolates, respectively. Subtilase, intimin and hemolysin genes were present in 28%, 25% and 79% of non-O157 STEC, respectively; 23% were of the "Top 6″ O-types. The initial method was modified twice during the study revealing evidence of culture bias based on differences in virulence and O-antigen profiles. MLVA typing revealed a diverse collection of O157 and non-O157 STEC strains isolated from multiple locations and sources and O157 STEC strains matching outbreak strains. These results emphasize the importance of multiple approaches for isolation of non-O157 STEC, that livestock and wildlife are common sources of potentially virulent STEC, and evidence of STEC persistence and movement in a leafy greens production environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael B Cooley
- Produce Safety and Microbiology Research Unit, United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service, Albany, California, United States of America.
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Remus-Emsermann MNP, Kowalchuk GA, Leveau JHJ. Single-cell versus population-level reproductive success of bacterial immigrants to pre-colonized leaf surfaces. ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY REPORTS 2013; 5:387-392. [PMID: 23754719 DOI: 10.1111/1758-2229.12040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2013] [Accepted: 01/21/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
We assessed how preemptive inoculation of plant leaves with bacteria affected the establishment of secondary colonizers. We quantified the latter in two ways: (i) at the population level, i.e. as counts of colony-forming units and (ii) at the level of single cells by tracking the reproductive success of individual bacteria. Both analyses showed that the ability of secondary immigrants to establish on the leaf was negatively correlated with the level of pre-population by primary colonizers. This effect was best described by an inverse dose-response curve with an apparent half-point inhibition efficacy of approximately 10(6) cells of primary colonizers per gram leaf. This efficacy was the same whether calculated from population- or average single-cell data. However, single-cell data revealed that even under conditions of heavy pre-population with primary colonizers, a small fraction of secondary immigrants still produced offspring, although the corresponding population measurement showed no increase in total population size. This observation has direct relevance for biocontrol strategies that are based on the principle of preemptive exclusion of foliar bacterial pathogens: even at seemingly saturating levels of primary inoculum, some secondary colonizers may still be able to reproduce and possibly reach a quorum to trigger behaviours that enhance survival or virulence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitja N P Remus-Emsermann
- Department of Microbial Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Wageningen, The Netherlands.
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Lukinmaa-Åberg S, Horsma J, Pasanen T, Mero S, Aulu L, Vaara M, Siitonen A, Antikainen J. Applicability of DiversiLab repetitive sequence-based PCR method in epidemiological typing of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC). Foodborne Pathog Dis 2013; 10:632-8. [PMID: 23692078 DOI: 10.1089/fpd.2012.1411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) causes diarrhea, often with severe complications. Rapid and discriminatory typing of EHEC using advanced molecular methods is needed for determination of the genetic relatedness of clones responsible for foodborne outbreaks and for finding out the transmission sources of the outbreaks. This study evaluated the potential of DiversiLab, a semiautomated repetitive sequence-based polymerase chain reaction method for the genotyping of EHEC strains. A set of 52 EHEC strains belonging to 15 O:H serotypes was clustered into 10 DiversiLab groups. All of the O157 strains and one O55 strain were classified into the same group based on a 90% similarity threshold. The other serotypes were classified to their own DiversiLab group, with the exception of one R:H(-) strain that was grouped with O5:H(-) strains. In addition, O26 and O111 strains were grouped together but ultimately subdivided according to their O-serotypes based on a 95% similarity threshold. The O104 strain, which was associated with a major outbreak of hemolytic uremic syndrome in Germany in May 2011, was also classified independently. The DiversiLab performed well in identifying isolates, but the discriminatory power of the repetitive sequence-based polymerase chain reaction method was lower than that of pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. Analysis of 15 enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) strains revealed that some EPEC strains clustered together with EHEC strains. Therefore, the DiversiLab system cannot be used to discriminate between these pathogroups. In conclusion, DiversiLab is a rapid and easy system for the primary exclusion of unrelated EHEC strains based on their serotypes, but more discriminatory methods, such as pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, are needed for accurate typing of the EHEC strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanna Lukinmaa-Åberg
- Bacteriology Unit, Department of Infectious Disease Surveillance and Control, National Institute for Health and Welfare THL, Helsinki, Finland
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Harendza S. "HUS diary" of a German nephrologist during the current EHEC outbreak in Europe. Kidney Int 2013; 80:687-9. [PMID: 21734639 DOI: 10.1038/ki.2011.238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sigrid Harendza
- Department of Nephrology, University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
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Stearns-Kurosawa DJ, Oh SY, Cherla RP, Lee MS, Tesh VL, Papin J, Henderson J, Kurosawa S. Distinct renal pathology and a chemotactic phenotype after enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli shiga toxins in non-human primate models of hemolytic uremic syndrome. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2013; 182:1227-38. [PMID: 23402998 PMCID: PMC3620421 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2012.12.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2012] [Revised: 12/13/2012] [Accepted: 12/24/2012] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli cause approximately 1.5 million infections globally with 176,000 cases occurring in the United States annually from ingesting contaminated food, most frequently E. coli O157:H7 in ground beef or fresh produce. In severe cases, the painful prodromal hemorrhagic colitis is complicated by potentially lethal hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), particularly in children. Bacterial Shiga-like toxins (Stx1, Stx2) are primarily responsible for HUS and the kidney and neurologic damage that ensue. Small animal models are hampered by the inability to reproduce HUS with thrombotic microangiopathy, hemolytic anemia, and acute kidney injury. Earlier, we showed that nonhuman primates (Papio) recapitulated clinical HUS after Stx challenge and that novel therapeutic intervention rescued the animals. Here, we present detailed light and electron microscopic pathology examination of the kidneys from these Stx studies. Stx1 challenge resulted in more severe glomerular endothelial injury, whereas the glomerular injury after Stx2 also included prominent mesangiolysis and an eosinophilic inflammatory infiltration. Both toxins induced glomerular platelet-rich thrombi, interstitial hemorrhage, and tubular injury. Analysis of kidney and other organs for inflammation biomarkers showed a striking chemotactic profile, with extremely high mRNA levels for IL-8, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1, and macrophage inflammatory protein 1α and elevated urine chemokines at 48 hours after challenge. These observations give unique insight into the pathologic consequences of each toxin in a near human setting and present potential pathways for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah J. Stearns-Kurosawa
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Sun-Young Oh
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Rama P. Cherla
- Department of Microbial and Molecular Pathogenesis, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Bryan, Texas
| | - Moo-Seung Lee
- Department of Microbial and Molecular Pathogenesis, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Bryan, Texas
| | - Vernon L. Tesh
- Department of Microbial and Molecular Pathogenesis, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Bryan, Texas
| | - James Papin
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Joel Henderson
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Shinichiro Kurosawa
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
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Scientific Opinion on VTEC‐seropathotype and scientific criteria regarding pathogenicity assessment. EFSA J 2013. [DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2013.3138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
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A New Algorithm for Identifying Possible Epidemic Sources with Application to the German Escherichia coli Outbreak. ISPRS INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GEO-INFORMATION 2013. [DOI: 10.3390/ijgi2010155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
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Weiser AA, Gross S, Schielke A, Wigger JF, Ernert A, Adolphs J, Fetsch A, Müller-Graf C, Käsbohrer A, Mosbach-Schulz O, Appel B, Greiner M. Trace-back and trace-forward tools developed ad hoc and used during the STEC O104:H4 outbreak 2011 in Germany and generic concepts for future outbreak situations. Foodborne Pathog Dis 2013; 10:263-9. [PMID: 23268760 PMCID: PMC3698685 DOI: 10.1089/fpd.2012.1296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O104:H4 outbreak in Germany in 2011 required the development of appropriate tools in real-time for tracing suspicious foods along the supply chain, namely salad ingredients, sprouts, and seeds. Food commodities consumed at locations identified as most probable site of infection (outbreak clusters) were traced back in order to identify connections between different disease clusters via the supply chain of the foods. A newly developed relational database with integrated consistency and plausibility checks was used to collate these data for further analysis. Connections between suppliers, distributors, and producers were visualized in network graphs and geographic projections. Finally, this trace-back and trace-forward analysis led to the identification of sprouts produced by a horticultural farm in Lower Saxony as vehicle for the pathogen, and a specific lot of fenugreek seeds imported from Egypt as the most likely source of contamination. Network graphs have proven to be a powerful tool for summarizing and communicating complex trade relationships to various stake holders. The present article gives a detailed description of the newly developed tracing tools and recommendations for necessary requirements and improvements for future foodborne outbreak investigations.
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