scholarly journals Global Gene Expression Profiling of Asymptomatic Bacteriuria Escherichia coli during Biofilm Growth in Human Urine

2006 ◽  
Vol 75 (2) ◽  
pp. 966-976 ◽  
Author(s):  
Viktoria Hancock ◽  
Per Klemm
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Urinary Tract ◽  
Expression Profile ◽  
Human Urine ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Expression Profiles ◽  
Asymptomatic Bacteriuria ◽  
Knockout Mutant ◽  
Biofilm Growth ◽  
E Coli

ABSTRACT Urinary tract infection (UTI) is an important health problem worldwide, with many millions of cases each year, and Escherichia coli is the most common organism causing UTI in humans. Also, E. coli is responsible for most infections in patients with chronic indwelling bladder catheter. The two asymptomatic bacteriuria (ABU) E. coli strains 83972 and VR50 are significantly better biofilm formers in their natural growth medium, human urine, than the two uropathogenic E. coli isolates CFT073 and 536. We used DNA microarrays to monitor the expression profile during biofilm growth in urine of the two ABU strains 83972 and VR50. Significant differences in expression levels were seen between the biofilm expression profiles of the two strains with the corresponding planktonic expression profiles in morpholinepropanesulfonic acid minimal laboratory medium and human urine; 417 and 355 genes were up- and down-regulated, respectively, during biofilm growth in urine of 83972 and VR50. Many genes involved in transcription and stress were up-regulated in biofilm-grown cells. The role in biofilm formation of four of the up-regulated genes, i.e., yceP, yqgA, ygiD, and aaeX, was investigated by creating single-knockout mutant versions of 83972 and VR50; all mutants showed reduced biofilm formation in urine by 18 to 43% compared with the wild type (P < 0.05). Also, the expression profile of strain 83972 in the human urinary tract partially overlaps with the biofilm expression profile.

scholarly journals The Asymptomatic Bacteriuria Escherichia coli Strain 83972 Outcompetes Uropathogenic E. coli Strains in Human Urine

2006 ◽  
Vol 74 (1) ◽  
pp. 615-624 ◽  
Author(s):  
Viktoria Roos ◽  
Glen C. Ulett ◽  
Mark A. Schembri ◽  
Per Klemm
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Urinary Tract ◽  
Human Urine ◽  
Expression Profiles ◽  
Asymptomatic Bacteriuria ◽  
Gene Expression Profiles ◽  
Coli Strain ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Tract Infections

ABSTRACT Escherichia coli is the most common organism associated with asymptomatic bacteriuria (ABU). In contrast to uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC), which causes symptomatic urinary tract infections (UTI), very little is known about the mechanisms by which these strains colonize the human urinary tract. The prototype ABU E. coli strain 83972 was originally isolated from a girl who had carried it asymptomatically for 3 years. Deliberate colonization of UTI-susceptible individuals with E. coli 83972 has been used successfully as an alternative approach for the treatment of patients who are refractory to conventional therapy. Colonization with strain 83972 appears to prevent infection with UPEC strains in such patients despite the fact that this strain is unable to express the primary adhesins involved in UTI, viz. P and type 1 fimbriae. Here we investigated the growth characteristics of E. coli 83972 in human urine and show that it can outcompete a representative spectrum of UPEC strains for growth in urine. The unique ability of ABU E. coli 83972 to outcompete UPEC in urine was also demonstrated in a murine model of human UTI, confirming the selective advantage over UPEC in vivo. Comparison of global gene expression profiles of E. coli 83972 grown in lab medium and human urine revealed significant differences in expression levels in the two media; significant down-regulation of genes encoding virulence factors such as hemolysin, lipid A, and capsular polysaccharides was observed in cells grown in urine. Clearly, divergent abilities of ABU E. coli and UPEC to exploit human urine as a niche for persistence and survival suggest that these key differences may be exploited for preventative and/or therapeutic approaches.

Cellular chain formation in Escherichia coli biofilms

Microbiology ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 155 (5) ◽  
pp. 1407-1417 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca Munk Vejborg ◽  
Per Klemm
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Immunofluorescence Microscopy ◽  
Asymptomatic Bacteriuria ◽  
Type I ◽  
Chain Formation ◽  
Biofilm Growth ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Type I Fimbriae ◽  
K 12

In this study we report on a novel structural phenotype in Escherichia coli biofilms: cellular chain formation. Biofilm chaining in E. coli K-12 was found to occur primarily by clonal expansion, but was not due to filamentous growth. Rather, chain formation was the result of intercellular interactions facilitated by antigen 43 (Ag43), a self-associating autotransporter (SAAT) protein, which has previously been implicated in auto-aggregation and biofilm formation. Immunofluorescence microscopy suggested that Ag43 was concentrated at or near the cell poles, although when the antigen was highly overexpressed, a much more uniform distribution was seen. Immunofluorescence microscopy also indicated that other parameters, including dimensional constraints (flow, growth alongside a surface), may also affect the final biofilm architecture. Moreover, chain formation was affected by other surface structures; type I fimbriae expression significantly reduced cellular chain formation, presumably by steric hindrance. Cellular chain formation did not appear to be specific to E. coli K-12. Although many urinary tract infection (UTI) isolates were found to form rather homogeneous, flat biofilms, three isolates, including the prototypic asymptomatic bacteriuria strain, 83972, formed highly elaborate cellular chains during biofilm growth in human urine. Combined, these results illustrate the diversity of biofilm architectures that can be observed even within a single microbial species.

scholarly journals Pathogenic potential in catheter associated Escherichia coli is associated with separable biofilm and virulence gene determinants

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zongsen Zou ◽  
Robert Potter ◽  
William McCoy ◽  
George Katumba ◽  
Peter J. Mucha ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Urinary Tract ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Gene Networks ◽  
Bacterial Colonization ◽  
Asymptomatic Bacteriuria ◽  
Virulence Gene ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Pathogenic Potential ◽  
E Coli

Urinary catheterization facilitates asymptomatic bacterial colonization of the urinary tract and increases the risk of urinary tract infection (UTI). Differentiating catheter-associated asymptomatic bacteriuria (CAASB) from catheter-associated UTI (CAUTI) can be challenging when the presence or origins of symptoms are unclear. To determine whether strain-specific Escherichia coli characteristics are associated with CAUTI, we compared genomic composition and experimental catheter biofilm production by urinary isolates from catheterized inpatients and rectal isolates from healthy volunteers. CAUTI isolates were associated with a distinctive phylotype B2 sub-clade dominated by the multidrug resistant, pandemic ST131 lineage. While catheter biofilm formation was widespread among E. coli isolates, phylotype B2 biofilms were more extensive and biofilm-associated genes were preferentially found in B2 and ST131 isolates. Distinctive suites of iron-responsive genes were associated with both the ST131 lineage and catheter biofilm formation. Catheter biofilms produced by some CAASB strains could inhibit ST131 colonization, suggesting a potential beneficial function for these strains. These results suggest that the combination of biofilm and non-biofilm-associated gene networks in urinary E. coli influence CAUTI risk in catheterized patients.

scholarly journals Contribution of Siderophore Systems to Growth and Urinary Tract Colonization of Asymptomatic Bacteriuria Escherichia coli

2011 ◽  
Vol 80 (1) ◽  
pp. 333-344 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca E. Watts ◽  
Makrina Totsika ◽  
Victoria L. Challinor ◽  
Amanda N. Mabbett ◽  
Glen C. Ulett ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Urinary Tract ◽  
Human Urine ◽  
Iron Uptake ◽  
Asymptomatic Bacteriuria ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Siderophore Biosynthesis ◽  
Iron Deficient ◽  
Deficient Medium

ABSTRACTThe molecular mechanisms that define asymptomatic bacteriuria (ABU)Escherichia colicolonization of the human urinary tract remain to be properly elucidated. Here, we utilize ABUE. colistrain 83972 as a model to dissect the contribution of siderophores to iron acquisition, growth, fitness, and colonization of the urinary tract. We show thatE. coli83972 produces enterobactin, salmochelin, aerobactin, and yersiniabactin and examine the role of these systems using mutants defective in siderophore biosynthesis and uptake. Enterobactin and aerobactin contributed most to total siderophore activity and growth in defined iron-deficient medium. No siderophores were detected in an 83972 quadruple mutant deficient in all four siderophore biosynthesis pathways; this mutant did not grow in defined iron-deficient medium but grew in iron-limited pooled human urine due to iron uptake via the FecA ferric citrate receptor. In a mixed 1:1 growth assay with strain 83972, there was no fitness disadvantage of the 83972 quadruple biosynthetic mutant, demonstrating its capacity to act as a “cheater” and utilize siderophores produced by the wild-type strain for iron uptake. An 83972 enterobactin/salmochelin double receptor mutant was outcompeted by 83972 in human urine and the mouse urinary tract, indicating a role for catecholate receptors in urinary tract colonization.

scholarly journals Global Gene Expression Profiling of the Asymptomatic Bacteriuria Escherichia coli Strain 83972 in the Human Urinary Tract

2006 ◽  
Vol 74 (6) ◽  
pp. 3565-3575 ◽  
Author(s):  
Viktoria Roos ◽  
Per Klemm
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Urinary Tract ◽  
Expression Profiles ◽  
Asymptomatic Bacteriuria ◽  
Global Gene Expression ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Tract Infections

ABSTRACT Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are an important health problem worldwide, with many million cases each year. Escherichia coli is the most common organism causing UTIs in humans. The asymptomatic bacteriuria E. coli strain 83972 is an excellent colonizer of the human urinary tract, where it causes long-term bladder colonization. The strain has been used for prophylactic purposes in patients prone to more severe and recurrent UTIs. For this study, we used DNA microarrays to monitor the expression profile of strain 83972 in the human urinary tract. Significant differences in expression levels were seen between the in vivo expression profiles of strain 83972 in three patients and the corresponding in vitro expression profiles in lab medium and human urine. The data revealed an in vivo lifestyle of microaerobic growth with respiration of nitrate coupled to degradation of sugar acids and amino acids, with no signs of attachment to host tissues. Interestingly, genes involved in NO protection and metabolism showed significant up-regulation in the patients. This is one of the first studies to address bacterial whole-genome expression in humans and the first study to investigate global gene expression of an E. coli strain in the human urinary tract.

scholarly journals Abolition of Biofilm Formation in Urinary Tract Escherichia coli and Klebsiella Isolates by Metal Interference through Competition for Fur

2010 ◽  
Vol 76 (12) ◽  
pp. 3836-3841 ◽  
Author(s):  
Viktoria Hancock ◽  
Malin Dahl ◽  
Per Klemm
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Urinary Tract ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Iron Uptake ◽  
Regulatory System ◽  
Bacterial Biofilms ◽  
Divalent Metal Ions ◽  
Chronic Infections ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Microtiter Plates

ABSTRACT Bacterial biofilms are associated with a large number of persistent and chronic infections. Biofilm-dwelling bacteria are particularly resistant to antibiotics and immune defenses, which makes it hard if not impossible to eradicate biofilm-associated infections. In the urinary tract, free iron is strictly limited but is critical for bacterial growth. Biofilm-associated Escherichia coli cells are particularly desperate for iron. An attractive way of inhibiting biofilm formation is to fool the bacterial regulatory system for iron uptake. Here, we demonstrate that biofilm formation can be impaired by the addition of divalent metal ions, such as Zn(II) and Co(II), which inhibit iron uptake by virtue of their higher-than-iron affinity for the master controller protein of iron uptake, Fur. Reduced biofilm formation of urinary tract-infectious E. coli strains in the presence of Zn(II) was observed in microtiter plates and flow chambers as well as on urinary catheters. These results further support that iron uptake is indeed crucial for biofilm formation, and thereby, targeting these uptake systems might be an effective way to eradicate biofilms caused by infectious strains.

scholarly journals Asymptomatic bacteriuria Escherichia coli strain 83972 carries mutations in the foc locus and is unable to express F1C fimbriae

Microbiology ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 152 (6) ◽  
pp. 1799-1806 ◽  
Author(s):  
Viktoria Roos ◽  
Mark A. Schembri ◽  
Glen C. Ulett ◽  
Per Klemm
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Urinary Tract ◽  
Gene Cluster ◽  
Asymptomatic Bacteriuria ◽  
Human Kidney ◽  
Coli Strain ◽  
Gene Encoding ◽  
Symptomatic Urinary Tract Infection ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Colonization Factor

Escherichia coli is the most common organism associated with asymptomatic bacteriuria (ABU). In contrast to uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC), which causes symptomatic urinary tract infection (UTI), very little is known about the mechanisms by which these strains colonize the urinary tract. Bacterial adhesion conferred by specific surface-associated adhesins is normally considered as a prerequisite for colonization of the urinary tract. The prototype ABU E. coli strain 83972 was originally isolated from a girl who had carried it asymptomatically for 3 years. This study characterized the molecular status of one of the primary adhesion factors known to be associated with UTI, namely F1C fimbriae, encoded by the foc gene cluster. F1C fimbriae recognize receptors present in the human kidney and bladder. Expression of the foc genes was found to be up-regulated in human urine. It was also shown that although strain 83972 contains a seemingly intact foc gene cluster, F1C fimbriae are not expressed. Sequencing and genetic complementation revealed that the focD gene, encoding a component of the F1C transport and assembly system, was non-functional, explaining the inability of strain 83972 to express this adhesin. The data imply that E. coli 83972 has lost its ability to express this important colonization factor as a result of host-driven evolution. The ancestor of the strain seems to have been a pyelonephritis strain of phylogenetic group B2. Strain 83972 therefore represents an example of bacterial adaptation from pathogenicity to commensalism through virulence factor loss.

scholarly journals Poloxamer 338 Affects Cell Adhesion and Biofilm Formation in Escherichia coli: Potential Applications in the Management of Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections

Pathogens ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 885
Author(s):  
Mariarita Stirpe ◽  
Benedetta Brugnoli ◽  
Gianfranco Donelli ◽  
Iolanda Francolini ◽  
Claudia Vuotto
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Cell Adhesion ◽  
Urinary Tract ◽  
Urinary Tract Infections ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Attenuated Total Reflection ◽  
Water Contact ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Static Conditions ◽  
Tract Infections

Poloxamers are nontoxic, amphiphilic copolymers used in different formulations. Due to its surfactant properties, Poloxamer 338 (P388) is herein proposed as a strategy to avoid biofilm formation often causing recalcitrant catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI). The aim is to evaluate the ability of P388 coatings to affect the adhesion of Ec5FSL and Ec9FSL Escherichia coli strains on silicone urinary catheters. Attenuated total reflection infrared spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, and static water contact angle measurement were employed to characterize the P388-coated silicone catheter in terms of amount of P388 layered, coating thickness, homogeneity, and hydrophilicity. In static conditions, the antifouling power of P388 was defined by comparing the E. coli cells adherent on a hydrophilic P388-adsorbed catheter segment with those on an uncoated one. A P388-coated catheter, having a homogeneous coverage of 35 nm in thickness, reduced of 0.83 log10 and 0.51 log10 the biofilm of Ec5FSL and Ec9FSL, respectively. In dynamic conditions, the percentage of cell adhesion on P388-adsorbed silicone channels was investigated by a microfluidic system, simulating the in vivo conditions of catheterized patients. As a result, both E. coli isolates were undetected. The strong and stable antifouling property against E. coli biofilm lead us to consider P388 as a promising anti-biofilm agent for CAUTIs control.

scholarly journals Escherichia coli CFT073 Fitness Factors during Urinary Tract Infection: Identification Using an Ordered Transposon Library

2020 ◽  
Vol 86 (13) ◽  
Author(s):  
Allyson E. Shea ◽  
Juan Marzoa ◽  
Stephanie D. Himpsl ◽  
Sara N. Smith ◽  
Lili Zhao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Urinary Tract ◽  
Urinary Tract Infections ◽  
Human Urine ◽  
Transposon Mutagenesis ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Tract Infections

ABSTRACT Urinary tract infections (UTI), the second most diagnosed infectious disease worldwide, are caused primarily by uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC), placing a significant financial burden on the health care system. High-throughput transposon mutagenesis combined with genome-targeted sequencing is a powerful technique to interrogate genomes for fitness genes. Genome-wide analysis of E. coli requires random libraries of at least 50,000 mutants to achieve 99.99% saturation; however, the traditional murine model of ascending UTI does not permit testing of large mutant pools due to a bottleneck during infection. To address this, an E. coli CFT073 transposon mutant ordered library of 9,216 mutants was created and insertion sites were identified. A single transposon mutant was selected for each gene to assemble a condensed library consisting of 2,913 unique nonessential mutants. Using a modified UTI model in BALB/c mice, we identified 36 genes important for colonizing the bladder, including purB, yihE, and carB. Screening of the condensed library in vitro identified yigP and ubiG to be essential for growth in human urine. Additionally, we developed a novel quantitative PCR (qPCR) technique to identify genes with fitness defects within defined subgroups of related genes (e.g., genes encoding fimbriae, toxins, etc.) following UTI. The number of mutants within these subgroups circumvents bottleneck restriction and facilitates validation of multiple mutants to generate individual competitive indices. Collectively, this study investigates the bottleneck effects during UTI, provides two techniques for evading those effects that can be applied to other disease models, and contributes a genetic tool in prototype strain CFT073 to the field. IMPORTANCE Uropathogenic Escherichia coli strains cause most uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTI), one of the most common infectious diseases worldwide. Random transposon mutagenesis techniques have been utilized to identify essential bacterial genes during infection; however, this has been met with limitations when applied to the murine UTI model. Conventional high-throughput transposon mutagenesis screens are not feasible because of inoculum size restrictions due to a bottleneck during infection. Our study utilizes a condensed ordered transposon library, limiting the number of mutants while maintaining the largest possible genome coverage. Screening of this library in vivo, and in human urine in vitro, identified numerous candidate fitness factors. Additionally, we have developed a novel technique using qPCR to quantify bacterial outputs following infection with small subgroups of transposon mutants. Molecular approaches developed in this study will serve as useful tools to probe in vivo models that are restricted by anatomical, physiological, or genetic bottleneck limitations.

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