Comparison of virulence factors and expression of specific genes between uropathogenic Escherichia coli and avian pathogenic E. coli in a murine urinary tract infection model and a chicken challenge model

Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) and uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) establish infections in extraintestinal habitats of different hosts. As the diversity, epidemiological sources and evolutionary origins of extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC) are so far only partially defined, in the present study,100 APEC isolates and 202 UPEC isolates were compared by their content of virulence genes and phylogenetic groups. The two groups showed substantial overlap in terms of their serogroups, phylogenetic groups and virulence genotypes, including their possession of certain genes associated with large transmissible plasmids of APEC. In a chicken challenge model, both UPEC U17 and APEC E058 had similar LD50, demonstrating that UPEC U17 had the potential to cause significant disease in poultry. To gain further information about the similarities between UPEC and APEC, the in vivo expression of 152 specific genes of UPEC U17 and APEC E058 in both a murine urinary tract infection (UTI) model and a chicken challenge model was compared with that of these strains grown statically to exponential phase in rich medium. It was found that in the same model (murine UTI or chicken challenge), various genes of UPEC U17 and APEC E058 showed a similar tendency of expression. Several iron-related genes were upregulated in the UTI model and/or chicken challenge model, indicating that iron acquisition is important for E. coli to survive in blood or the urinary tract. Based on these results, the potential for APEC to act as human UPEC or as a reservoir of virulence genes for UPEC should be considered. Further, this study compared the transcriptional profile of virulence genes among APEC and UPEC in vivo.

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Virulence genes and phylogenetic groups of uropathogenic Escherichia coli isolates from patients with urinary tract infection and uninfected control subjects: a case-control study

BMC Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1186/s12879-021-06036-4 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Seyedeh Elham Rezatofighi ◽

Mahsa Mirzarazi ◽

Mansour Salehi

Keyword(s):

Escherichia Coli ◽

Urinary Tract Infection ◽

Urinary Tract ◽

Tract Infection ◽

Virulence Factors ◽

Virulence Genes ◽

Strong Association ◽

Phylogenetic Groups ◽

E Coli ◽

Healthy Humans

Abstract Background Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) is one of the most common bacterial infectious diseases which causes considerable morbidity and costly health problems. Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC), the most common pathogen causing UTI, is a highly heterogeneous group of extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC) which may carry a variety of virulence factors and belonging to different phylogenetic backgrounds. The current study aimed to investigate the frequency and association between various virulence factors (VFs) and phylogenetic groups of UPEC and commensal isolates. Methods UPEC and commensal E. coli strains isolated from UTI and feces of healthy humans were compared for the presence of VFs and phylogenetic groups. Association between virulence genes was investigated and cluster analysis was employed. Results According to the results, among a 30 virulence markers tested, the pathogenicity-associated island (PAI), papAH, papEF, fimH, fyuA, and traT genes prevalence were statistically significant in UPEC isolates. A strong association was found between the B2 and D phylogenetic groups and clinical isolates of UPEC; while, commensal isolates were mostly associated with phylogenetic group A. The aggregated VFs scores were more than twice higher in the UPEC isolates in comparison with the commensal isolates. Interestingly, the B2 group in both UPEC and commensal isolates had the highest VF scores. A strong positive association was found between several virulence genes. The clustering results demonstrated that UPEC or commensal E. coli isolates were highly heterogeneous due to different composition of their virulence gene pool and pathogenicity islands. Conclusion Genetic structure and VFs of UPEC strains vary from region to region; therefore, to control the UTI, the epidemiological aspects and characterization of the UPEC isolates need to be investigated in different regions. Since UPEC isolates are generally originate from the commensal strains, it may be feasible to reduce the UTI burden by interfering the intestinal colonization, particularly in the highly pathogenic clonal lineages such as B2.

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Transcriptome of Uropathogenic Escherichia coli during Urinary Tract Infection

Infection and Immunity ◽

10.1128/iai.72.11.6373-6381.2004 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 72 (11) ◽

pp. 6373-6381 ◽

Cited By ~ 257

Author(s):

Jennifer A. Snyder ◽

Brian J. Haugen ◽

Eric L. Buckles ◽

C. Virginia Lockatell ◽

David E. Johnson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Escherichia Coli ◽

Urinary Tract Infection ◽

Urinary Tract ◽

Tract Infection ◽

Capsular Polysaccharide ◽

Iron Acquisition ◽

Expression Profiles ◽

Growth State ◽

E Coli

ABSTRACT A uropathogenic Escherichia coli strain CFT073-specific DNA microarray that includes each open reading frame was used to analyze the transcriptome of CFT073 bacteria isolated directly from the urine of infected CBA/J mice. The in vivo expression profiles were compared to that of E. coli CFT073 grown statically to exponential phase in rich medium, revealing the strategies this pathogen uses in vivo for colonization, growth, and survival in the urinary tract environment. The most highly expressed genes overall in vivo encoded translational machinery, indicating that the bacteria were in a rapid growth state despite specific nutrient limitations. Expression of type 1 fimbriae, a virulence factor involved in adherence, was highly upregulated in vivo. Five iron acquisition systems were all highly upregulated during urinary tract infection, as were genes responsible for capsular polysaccharide and lipopolysaccharide synthesis, drug resistance, and microcin secretion. Surprisingly, other fimbrial genes, such as pap and foc/sfa, and genes involved in motility and chemotaxis were downregulated in vivo. E. coli CFT073 grown in human urine resulted in the upregulation of iron acquisition, capsule, and microcin secretion genes, thus partially mimicking growth in vivo. On the basis of gene expression levels, the urinary tract appears to be nitrogen and iron limiting, of high osmolarity, and of moderate oxygenation. This study represents the first assessment of any E. coli pathotype's transcriptome in vivo and provides specific insights into the mechanisms necessary for urinary tract pathogenesis.

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degS Is Necessary for Virulence and Is among Extraintestinal Escherichia coli Genes Induced in Murine Peritonitis

Infection and Immunity ◽

10.1128/iai.71.6.3088-3096.2003 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 71 (6) ◽

pp. 3088-3096 ◽

Cited By ~ 40

Author(s):

Peter Redford ◽

Paula L. Roesch ◽

Rodney A. Welch

Keyword(s):

Escherichia Coli ◽

Urinary Tract Infection ◽

Urinary Tract ◽

Tract Infection ◽

Luria Bertani ◽

Broth Culture ◽

Wild Type ◽

E Coli ◽

Virulence Attenuation

ABSTRACT Extraintestinal Escherichia coli strains cause meningitis, sepsis, urinary tract infection, and other infections outside the bowel. We examined here extraintestinal E. coli strain CFT073 by differential fluorescence induction. Pools of CFT073 clones carrying a CFT073 genomic fragment library in a promoterless gfp vector were inoculated intraperitoneally into mice; bacteria were recovered by lavage 6 h later and then subjected to fluorescence-activated cell sorting. Eleven promoters were found to be active in the mouse but not in Luria-Bertani (LB) broth culture. Three are linked to genes for enterobactin, aerobactin, and yersiniabactin. Three others are linked to the metabolic genes metA, gltB, and sucA, and another was linked to iha, a possible adhesin. Three lie before open reading frames of unknown function. One promoter is associated with degS, an inner membrane protease. Mutants of the in vivo-induced loci were tested in competition with the wild type in mouse peritonitis. Of the mutants tested, only CFT073 degS was found to be attenuated in peritoneal and in urinary tract infection, with virulence restored by complementation. CFT073 degS shows growth similar to that of the wild type at 37°C but is impaired at 43°C or in 3% ethanol LB broth at 37°C. Compared to the wild type, the mutant shows similar serum survival, motility, hemolysis, erythrocyte agglutination, and tolerance to oxidative stress. It also has the same lipopolysaccharide appearance on a silver-stained gel. The basis for the virulence attenuation is unclear, but because DegS is needed for σE activity, our findings implicate σE and its regulon in E. coli extraintestinal pathogenesis.

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In vitro inhibition of Escherichia coli from women with urinary tract infection by cranberry hydroalcoholic extract

Revista Fitos ◽

10.32712/2446-4775.2019.792 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 13 (4) ◽

pp. 278-288

Author(s):

Mariê Scotegagna Chiavini ◽

Jane Mary Lafayette Neves Gelinski ◽

Claudriana Locatelli ◽

Pâmela Aparecida da Costa ◽

Vânia Aparecida Vicente

Keyword(s):

Escherichia Coli ◽

Urinary Tract Infection ◽

Urinary Tract ◽

Tract Infection ◽

Direct Action ◽

E Coli ◽

Antimicrobial Potential ◽

Diffusion Assay

The antimicrobial potential of cranberry hydro alcoholic extracts (CrE) was evaluated against Escherichia coli isolated from women with urinary tract infection (UTI). CrE was diluted based on the percentage of proanthocyanidins (PACs) in extract powder for final concentrations: 1.26%; 2.52%; 3.35%, 5.03% and 10.06%. CrE antimicrobial potential was evaluated by disk and well diffusion assays, and by in vitro direct action against E. coli. Antibacterial action was observed for all performed tests: minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) was 1.26% PACs per disk diffusion assay and 2.52% of PACs by well diffusion assay. The in vitro antimicrobial direct action against E. coli resulted 3.8 Log10 cycles reduction for a concentration of 5.03% of PACs. One of the isolates showed multi resistance to antibiotics. But it was also inhibited more than any of the antibiotic tested in well diffusion assay. Only for concentrations 1.26%, 2.52% and 3.45% the inhibition of Escherichia coli by cranberry extract was dose-dependent, i.e directly proportional to the concentration of PACs. The results indicate a inhibitory action high potential of CrE. However, more in vitro and in vivo analysis can be performed to fix which the best concentration of CrE capable of causing a real beneficial effect on UTI´s.

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Iha from an Escherichia coli Urinary Tract Infection Outbreak Clonal Group A Strain Is Expressed In Vivo in the Mouse Urinary Tract and Functions as a Catecholate Siderophore Receptor

Infection and Immunity ◽

10.1128/iai.00107-06 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 74 (6) ◽

pp. 3427-3436 ◽

Cited By ~ 41

Author(s):

Simon Léveillé ◽

Mélissa Caza ◽

James R. Johnson ◽

Connie Clabots ◽

Mourad Sabri ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Escherichia Coli ◽

Urinary Tract Infection ◽

Urinary Tract ◽

Tract Infection ◽

Growth Promotion ◽

Clonal Group ◽

E Coli ◽

Group A ◽

K 12

ABSTRACT Virulence factors of pathogenic Escherichia coli belonging to a recently emerged and disseminated clonal group associated with urinary tract infection (UTI), provisionally designated clonal group A (CGA), have not been experimentally investigated. We used a mouse model of ascending UTI with CGA member strain UCB34 in order to identify genes of CGA that contribute to UTI. iha was identified to be expressed by strain UCB34 in the mouse kidney using selective capture of transcribed sequences. iha from strain UCB34 demonstrated a siderophore receptor phenotype when cloned in a catecholate siderophore receptor-negative E. coli K-12 strain, as shown by growth promotion experiments and uptake of 55Fe complexed to enterobactin or its linear 2, 3-dihydroxybenzoylserine (DHBS) siderophore derivatives. Siderophore-mediated growth promotion by Iha was TonB dependent. Growth and iron uptake were more marked with linear DHBS derivatives than with purified enterobactin. The reported phenotype of adherence to epithelial cells conferred by expressing iha from a multicopy cloning vector in a poorly adherent E. coli K-12 host strain was confirmed to be specific to iha, in comparison with other siderophore receptor genes. iha expression was regulated by the ferric uptake regulator Fur and by iron availability, as shown by real-time reverse transcriptase PCR. In a competitive infection experiment using the mouse UTI model, wild-type strain UCB34 significantly outcompeted an isogenic iha null mutant. Iha thus represents a Fur-regulated catecholate siderophore receptor that, uniquely, exhibits an adherence-enhancing phenotype and is the first described urovirulence factor identified in a CGA strain.

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Relationship between Escherichia coli strains causing urinary tract infection in women and the dominant faecal flora of the same hosts

Epidemiology and Infection ◽

10.1017/s0950268806005917 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 134 (5) ◽

pp. 1015-1023 ◽

Cited By ~ 48

Author(s):

E. MORENO ◽

A. ANDREU ◽

T. PÉREZ ◽

M. SABATÉ ◽

J. R. JOHNSON ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Escherichia Coli ◽

Urinary Tract Infection ◽

Urinary Tract ◽

Tract Infection ◽

Virulence Genes ◽

Virulence Gene ◽

Faecal Flora ◽

E Coli ◽

Virulent Strains ◽

Faecal Samples

To clarify whether prevalence or special pathogenicity is more important in determining urinary tract infection (UTI) causation, we compared the biotype, phylogenetic group, and virulence genes of Escherichia coli urine strains from 11 women with acute lower UTI with those of the host's dominant intestinal E. coli strain(s). Twenty-one unique E. coli clones were identified. For three women, the single faecal clone identified was also the host's urine clone, whereas for eight women faecal samples yielded 1 or 2 distinct non-urine clones (total, n=10), either with (n=3) or without (n=5) the concurrent urine clone. The eight urine clones from the latter eight women exhibited significantly greater inferred virulence, according to virulence gene content and phylogenetic background, than did the hosts' 10 corresponding ‘faecal only’ clones. In contrast, the three urine clones that were detected as the host's sole faecal clone exhibited significantly lower inferred virulence than the other eight urine clones, and were statistically indistinguishable from the 10 ‘faecal only’ clones. In conclusion, special pathogenicity is an important determinant of UTI pathogenesis in women, although prevalence may occasionally allow less virulent strains to cause UTI.

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Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli is associated with antibiotic resistance and urinary tract infection symptomatology

PeerJ ◽

10.7717/peerj.11726 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

pp. e11726

Author(s):

Verónica I. Martínez-Santos ◽

María Ruíz-Rosas ◽

Arturo Ramirez- Peralta ◽

Oscar Zaragoza García ◽

Luis Armando Resendiz-Reyes ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Escherichia Coli ◽

Urinary Tract Infection ◽

Antibiotic Resistance ◽

Urinary Tract ◽

Tract Infection ◽

Virulence Genes ◽

Clinical Isolates ◽

E Coli ◽

Ambulatory Patients ◽

Tract Infections

Background Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) is the causative agent of uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) in ambulatory patients. However, enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC), an emergent bacterial pathogen that causes persistent diarrhoea, has recently been associated with UTIs. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of EAEC virulence genes, antibiotic resistance, as well as biofilm production of UPEC isolates obtained from ambulatory patients with non-complicated UTIs that attended to the ISSSTE clinic in Chilpancingo, Guerrero, Mexico, and correlate these with the patients’ urinary tract infection symptomatology. Methods One hundred clinical isolates were obtained. The identification of clinical isolates, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and extended spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) production were performed using the Vitek automated system. Assignment of E. coli phylogenetic groups was performed using the quadruplex phylo-group assignment PCR assay. UPEC virulence genes (hlyA, fimH, papC, iutA, and cnf1) and EAEC virulence genes (aap, aggR, and aatA) were detected by multiple PCR. Results We found that 22% of the isolates carried the aggR gene and were classified as UPEC/EAEC. The main phylogenetic group was B2 (44.1% were UPEC and 77.27% UPEC/EAEC isolates, respectively). Over half of the UPEC/EAEC isolates (63.64%) were obtained from symptomatic patients, however the aatA gene was the only one found to be associated with the risk of developing pyelonephritis (OR = 5.15, p = 0.038). A total of 77.71% of the UPEC/EAEC isolates were ESBL producers and 90.91% multidrug-resistant (MDR). In conclusion, UPEC/EAEC isolates are more frequent in symptomatic patients and the aatA gene was associated with a higher risk of developing pyelonephritis, along with UPEC genes hlyA and cfn1. UPEC/EAEC isolates obtained from UTI showed ESBL production and MDR.

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Comparison of Escherichia coli isolates implicated in human urinary tract infection and avian colibacillosis

Microbiology ◽

10.1099/mic.0.27499-0 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 151 (6) ◽

pp. 2097-2110 ◽

Cited By ~ 227

Author(s):

Kylie E. Rodriguez-Siek ◽

Catherine W. Giddings ◽

Curt Doetkott ◽

Timothy J. Johnson ◽

Mohamed K. Fakhr ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Escherichia Coli ◽

Urinary Tract Infection ◽

Urinary Tract ◽

Virulence Genes ◽

Phylogenetic Group ◽

Human Beings ◽

Phylogenetic Groups ◽

E Coli ◽

Ciprofloxacin Pharmacokinetics/Pharmacodynamics against Susceptible and Low-Level Resistant Escherichia coli Isolates in an Experimental Ascending Urinary Tract Infection Model in Mice

Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy ◽

10.1128/aac.01804-20 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 65 (1) ◽

pp. e01804-20

Author(s):

Lotte Jakobsen ◽

Carina Vingsbro Lundberg ◽

Niels Frimodt-Møller

Keyword(s):

Escherichia Coli ◽

Urinary Tract Infection ◽

Urinary Tract ◽

Tract Infection ◽

Infection Model ◽

Bladder Tissue ◽

Content Type ◽

E Coli ◽

Low Level ◽

Level Resistance

ABSTRACTThe mouse ascending urinary tract infection model was used to study the pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PKPD) relationships of the effect of ciprofloxacin in subcutaneous treatment for 3 days with varying doses and dosing intervals against a susceptible Escherichia coli strain (MIC, 0.032 mg/liter). Further, a humanized dose of ciprofloxacin was administered for 3 days against three E. coli strains with low-level resistance, i.e., MICs of 0.06, 0.25, and 1 mg/liter, respectively. Against the susceptible isolate, ciprofloxacin was highly effective in clearing the urine with daily doses from 10 mg/kg, but the dosing regimen had to be divided into at least two doses for optimal effect. Ciprofloxacin could not clear the urine or kidneys for the low-level-resistant strains. PKPD correlations with all strains combined showed that for the AUC24/MIC there was a slightly higher correlation with effect in urine and kidneys (R2, 0.71 and 0.69, respectively) than the %T>MIC (R2, 0.41 and 0.61, respectively). Equal correlations for the two PKPD indices were found for reduction of colony counts (CFU) in the bladder tissue, but not even the highest dose of 28 mg/kg × 6 could clear the bladder tissue. In conclusion, ciprofloxacin is highly effective in clearing the urine and kidney tissue for fully susceptible E. coli, while even low-level resistance in E. coli obscures this effect. While the effect of ciprofloxacin is mostly AUC/MIC driven against E. coli infection in the urinary tract, the effect in urine depends on the presence of ciprofloxacin in the urine during most of a 24-h period.

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