Uncoupling between core genome and virulome in extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli

2015 ◽  
Vol 61 (9) ◽  
pp. 647-652 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalia Fernández-Romero ◽  
María Pilar Romero-Gómez ◽  
Marta Mora-Rillo ◽  
Jesús Rodríguez-Baño ◽  
Lorena López-Cerero ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Core Genome ◽  
Virulence Gene ◽  
Bloodstream Infections ◽  
Opportunistic Pathogens ◽  
Single Nucleotide ◽  
The Core ◽  
Gene Profiles ◽  
Pathogenic Escherichia Coli ◽  
Sequence Types

Extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli (ExPEC) are among the most frequently isolated bacterial pathogens in hospitals. They are considered opportunistic pathogens and are found mostly in urinary and bloodstream infections. They are genetically diverse, and many studies have sought associations between genotypes or virulence genes and infection site, severity, or outcome, with varied, often contradictory, results. To understand these difficulties, we have analyzed the diversity patterns in the core genomes and virulomes of more than 500 ExPEC isolates from 5 different collections. The core genome was analyzed using a multilocus sequence type-based single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) pyrosequencing approach, while the virulence gene content (the virulome) was studied by polymerase chain reaction detection of 25 representative genes. SNP typing showed a similar population structure in the different collections: half of the isolates belong to a few sequence types (5 to 8), while the other half is composed of a large diversity of sequence types that are found once or twice. Sampling analysis by rarefaction plots of SNP profiles showed saturation curves indicative of a limited diversity. Contrary to this, the virulome shows an extremely high diversity, with almost as many gene profiles as isolates, and linear, nonsaturating, rarefaction plots, even within sequence types. These data show that genetic exchange rates are very heterogeneous along the chromosome, being much higher in the virulome fraction of the genome than in the core genome.

Detection of virulence genes of APEC (avian pathogenic Escherichia coli) isolated from poultry in Noakhali, Bangladesh

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 967-972
Author(s):  
Farzana Ehetasum Hossain ◽  
Saiful Islam ◽  
Md Aminul Islam ◽  
Shariful Islam ◽  
Firoz Ahmed
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Virulence Genes ◽  
Virulence Gene ◽  
Economic Loss ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Pcr Analysis ◽  
Avian Pathogenic Escherichia Coli ◽  
Gene Profiles ◽  
Pathogenic Escherichia Coli ◽  
Wide Range

Avian colibacillosis, caused by avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC), is one of the major infectious diseases of poultry that bring about great economic loss for the Bangladesh poultry industry. The present study aimed to determine the virulence genes of avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) from cases of colibacillosis in poultry at the Noakhali district of Bangladesh. Currently, virulence-associated gene profiles of APEC isolates were investigated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A total of 24 (twenty-four) Escherichia coli isolates were collected and presumptively identified from 8 (eight) colibacillosis cases from 4 commercial broiler poultry farms (2 broilers per farm) in Noakhali, Bangladesh. The pathogenesis of Escherichia coli involves a wide range of different virulence genes. At this point, four virulence genes, iutA, hlyF, iroN, and iss were detected by PCR analysis. It has been observed that iutA, iss, hlyF, and iroN genes were found in 7(29.16%), 20(83.33%), 22(91.66%), and 24(100%) APEC isolates respectively. Furthermore, out of the twenty-four APEC isolates, six (25%) isolates had four virulence genes, fourteen (58.33%) isolates carried at least three virulence genes, three (12.5%) isolates carried two genes and one (4.16%) isolates had one virulence gene. Most importantly. six types of virulence gene profiles existed within the APEC isolates from which profile number 3 (hlyF, iroN, iss) having 13 (54.16%) isolates were predominant. The occurrence of APEC isolates of this region which is responsible for avian colibacillosis cases can be a matter of concern from the public health point of view. Future investigations will be able to utilize these virulence genes to identify APEC in Bangladesh helping in the diagnosis and prevention of colibacillosis in poultry. Bioresearch Commu. 7(1): 967-972, 2021 (January)

scholarly journals Intestine and Environment of the Chicken as Reservoirs for Extraintestinal Pathogenic Escherichia coli Strains with Zoonotic Potential

2008 ◽  
Vol 75 (1) ◽  
pp. 184-192 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christa Ewers ◽  
Esther-Maria Ant�o ◽  
Ines Diehl ◽  
Hans-C. Philipp ◽  
Lothar H. Wieler
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Virulence Gene ◽  
Infection Model ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Gene Profiles ◽  
Pathogenic Escherichia Coli ◽  
Zoonotic Risk ◽  
Resistant Strains ◽  
Genetic Pool

ABSTRACT Although research has increasingly focused on the pathogenesis of avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) infections and the “APEC pathotype” itself, little is known about the reservoirs of these bacteria. We therefore compared outbreak strains isolated from diseased chickens (n = 121) with nonoutbreak strains, including fecal E. coli strains from clinically healthy chickens (n = 211) and strains from their environment (n = 35) by determining their virulence gene profiles, phylogenetic backgrounds, responses to chicken serum, and in vivo pathogenicities in a chicken infection model. In general, by examining 46 different virulence-associated genes we were able to distinguish the three groups of avian strains, but some specific fecal and environmental isolates had a virulence gene profile that was indistinguishable from that determined for outbreak strains. In addition, a substantial number of phylogenetic EcoR group B2 strains, which are known to include potent human and animal extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC) strains, were identified among the APEC strains (44.5%) as well as among the fecal E. coli strains from clinically healthy chickens (23.2%). Comparably high percentages (79.2 to 89.3%) of serum-resistant strains were identified for all three groups of strains tested, bringing into question the usefulness of this phenotype as a principal marker for extraintestinal virulence. Intratracheal infection of 5-week-old chickens corroborated the pathogenicity of a number of nonoutbreak strains. Multilocus sequence typing data revealed that most strains that were virulent in chicken infection experiments belonged to sequence types that are almost exclusively associated with extraintestinal diseases not only in birds but also in humans, like septicemia, urinary tract infection, and newborn meningitis, supporting the hypothesis that not the ecohabitat but the phylogeny of E. coli strains determines virulence. These data provide strong evidence for an avian intestinal reservoir hypothesis which could be used to develop intestinal intervention strategies. These strains pose a zoonotic risk because either they could be transferred directly from birds to humans or they could serve as a genetic pool for ExPEC strains.

scholarly journals Escherichia coli ST131: a multidrug-resistant clone primed for global domination

F1000Research ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 195 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johann D.D. Pitout ◽  
Rebekah DeVinney
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Core Genome ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Accessory Gene ◽  
The Core ◽  
Gene Profiles ◽  
Clade C ◽  
Compensatory Mutations ◽  
The 1960S ◽  
Sequential Acquisition

A single extra-intestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli (ExPEC) clone, named sequence type (ST) 131, is responsible for millions of global antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) infections annually. Population genetics indicate that ST131 consists of different clades (i.e. A, B, and C); however, clade C is the most dominant globally. A ST131 subclade, named C1-M27, is emerging in Japan and has been responsible for the recent increase in AMR ExPEC in that country. The sequential acquisition of several virulence and AMR genes associated with mobile genetic elements during the 1960s to 1980s primed clade C (and its subclades C1 and C2) for success in the 1990s to 2000s. IncF plasmids with F1:A2:B20 and F2:A1:B replicons have shaped the evolution of the C1 and C2 subclades. It is possible that ST131 is a host generalist with different accessory gene profiles. Compensatory mutations within the core genome of this clone have counterbalanced the fitness cost associated with IncF plasmids. ST131 clade C had dramatically changed the population structure of ExPEC, but it still remains unclear which features of this clade resulted in one of the most unprecedented AMR successes of the 2000s.

scholarly journals Virulence gene profiles of avian pathogenic Escherichia coli isolated from chickens with colibacillosis in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe

2015 ◽  
Vol 82 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua Mbanga ◽  
Yvonne O. Nyararai
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Virulence Genes ◽  
Virulence Gene ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Avian Pathogenic Escherichia Coli ◽  
Pcr Assay ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Gene Profiles ◽  
Pathogenic Escherichia Coli ◽  
Polymerase Chain

Colibacillosis, a disease caused by avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC), is one of the main causes of economic losses in the poultry industry worldwide. This study was carried out in order to determine the APEC-associated virulence genes contained by E. coli isolates causing colibacillosis in chickens. A total of 45 E. coli isolates were obtained from the diagnostics and research branch of the Central Veterinary Laboratories, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. These isolates were obtained from chickens with confirmed cases of colibacillosis after postmortem examination. The presence of the iutA, hlyF, ompT, frz, sitD, fimH, kpsM, sitA, sopB, uvrY, pstB and vat genes were investigated by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. Of the 45 isolates, 93% were positive for the presence of at least one virulence gene. The three most prevalent virulence genes were iutA (80%), fimH (33.3%) and hlyF (24.4%). The kpsM, pstB and ompT genes had the lowest prevalence, having been detected in only 2.2% of the isolates. All 12 virulence genes studied were detected in the 45 APEC isolates. Virulence gene profiles were constructed for each APEC isolate from the multiplex data. The APEC isolates were profiled as 62.2% fitting profile A, 31.1% profile B and 6.7% profile C. None of the isolates had more than seven virulence genes. Virulence profiles of Zimbabwean APEC isolates are different from those previously reported. Zimbabwean APEC isolates appear to be less pathogenic and may rely on environmental factors and stress in hosts to establish infection.

scholarly journals Gene-gene relationships in an Escherichia coli accessory genome are linked to function and mobility

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca J. Hall ◽  
Fiona J. Whelan ◽  
Elizabeth A. Cummins ◽  
Christopher Connor ◽  
Alan McNally ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Complex Network ◽  
Type Species ◽  
Core Genome ◽  
Mobile Genetic Elements ◽  
Dynamic Nature ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Accessory Genome ◽  
The Core ◽  
Sequence Types

The pangenome contains all genes encoded by a species, with the core genome present in all strains and the accessory genome in only a subset. Coincident gene relationships are expected within the accessory genome, where the presence or absence of one gene is influenced by the presence or absence of another. Here, we analysed the accessory genome of an Escherichia coli pangenome consisting of 400 genomes from 20 sequence types to identify genes that display significant co-occurrence or avoidance patterns with one another. We present a complex network of genes that are either found together or that avoid one another more often than would be expected by chance, and show that these relationships vary by lineage. We demonstrate that genes co-occur by function, and that several highly connected gene relationships are linked to mobile genetic elements. We find that genes are more likely to co-occur with, rather than avoid, another gene in the accessory genome. This work furthers our understanding of the dynamic nature of prokaryote pangenomes and implicates both function and mobility as drivers of gene relationships.

Carriage of virulence factors and molecular characteristics ofStaphylococcus aureusisolates associated with bloodstream, and skin and soft tissue infections in children

2012 ◽  
Vol 141 (10) ◽  
pp. 2158-2162 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. LI ◽  
X. YU ◽  
J. XIE ◽  
Y. XU ◽  
Y. SHANG ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soft Tissue ◽  
Virulence Genes ◽  
Virulence Gene ◽  
Bloodstream Infections ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Molecular Characteristics ◽  
Soft Tissue Infections ◽  
Virulence Determinants ◽  
Gene Profiles ◽  
Sequence Types

SUMMARYWe investigated the virulence gene carriage and molecular type characteristics ofStaphylococcus aureusisolates from bloodstream infections (BSIs) and skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) in children. A total of 71 isolates, 16 of which were methicillin-resistantS. aureus(MRSA), were investigated by PCR for virulence-associated gene profiles, sequence type andspatype. This revealed that 76·7% and 53·7% of the SSTI and BSI isolates, respectively, exhibited simultaneous carriage of ⩾10 virulence genes. Compared to BSI isolates, carriage rates forhla,hlb,cna,clfA,seb,secandpvlgenes were significantly higher in SSTI isolates. By contrast, carriage ofeta,etbandseawas significantly higher for BSI isolates. Thirty-four sequence types (STs) and 36spatypes were identified in the 71 isolates and included 14 novel STs and four novelspatypes. ST59-MRSA-IV/V-t437 was the most common clone in the MRSA isolates. We concluded that virulence determinants are widely distributed in isolates ofS. aureusstrains from children with BSIs and SSTIs, with an unexpectedly high rate in SSTI isolates. Future profiling ofS. aureusvirulence determinants may allow the prediction of severity and outcome for children with these infections.

scholarly journals Gene-gene relationships in an Escherichia coli accessory genome are linked to function and mobility

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca J Hall ◽  
Fiona J Whelan ◽  
Elizabeth A Cummins ◽  
Christopher Connor ◽  
Alan McNally ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Complex Network ◽  
Core Genome ◽  
Mobile Genetic Elements ◽  
Dynamic Nature ◽  
Accessory Genome ◽  
Genetic Elements ◽  
The Core ◽  
Sequence Types

The pangenome contains all genes encoded by a species, with the core genome present in all strains and the accessory genome in only a subset. Coincident gene relationships are expected within the accessory genome, where the presence or absence of one gene is influenced by the presence or absence of another. Here, we analysed the accessory genome of an Escherichia coli pangenome consisting of 400 genomes from 20 sequence types to identify genes that display significant co-occurrence or avoidance patterns with one another. We present a complex network of genes that are either found together or that avoid one another more often than would be expected by chance, and show that these relationships vary by lineage. We demonstrate that genes co-occur by function, and that several highly connected gene relationships are linked to mobile genetic elements. We find that genes are more likely to co-occur with, rather than avoid, another gene, suggesting that cooperation is more common than conflict in the accessory genome. This work furthers our understanding of the dynamic nature of prokaryote pangenomes and implicates both function and mobility as drivers of gene relationships.

Serological diversity, molecular characterisation and antimicrobial sensitivity of avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) isolates from broiler chickens in Kashmir, India

2019 ◽  
Vol 59 (2) ◽  
pp. 338
Author(s):  
S. N. Magray ◽  
S. A. Wani ◽  
Z. A. Kashoo ◽  
M. A. Bhat ◽  
S. Adil ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Broiler Chickens ◽  
Virulence Genes ◽  
Virulence Gene ◽  
Gene Profile ◽  
Avian Pathogenic Escherichia Coli ◽  
Pathogenic Escherichia Coli ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Virulence Gene Profile

The present study has determined the serological diversity, virulence-gene profile and in vitro antibiogram of avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) isolates from broiler chickens in India suspected to have died of colibacillosis. The virulence-gene profile of APEC was compared with that of the Escherichia coli isolates from faeces of apparently healthy chickens, called avian faecal E. coli (AFEC). In total, 90 representative isolates of APEC and 63 isolates of AFEC were investigated in the present study. The APEC were typed into 19 serogroups, while some isolates were rough and could not be typed. Most prevalent serogroup was O2 (24.44%). Among the eight virulence genes studied, the prevalence of seven genes (iss, iucD, tsh, cva/cvi, irp2, papC and vat) was significantly higher in APEC than in AFEC isolates. However, there was no significant difference between APEC and AFEC isolates for possession of astA gene. The most frequent gene detected among the two groups of organisms was iss, which was present in 98.88% and 44.44% of APEC and AFEC isolates respectively. The in vitro antibiogram showed that the majority (96.6%) of APEC isolates were resistant to tetracycline, while 82.2% were resistant to cephalexin, 78.8% to cotrimoxazole, 68.8% to streptomycin and 63.3% to ampicillin. However, most of them (84.45%) were sensitive to gentamicin. Thus, it is concluded that APEC from the broiler chickens carried putative virulence genes that attributed to their pathogenicity. Furthermore, the majority of APEC isolates were found to be multi-drug resistant, which, in addition to leading treatment failures in poultry, poses a public health threat.

scholarly journals Clinical and Molecular Correlates of Escherichia coli Bloodstream Infection from Two Geographically Diverse Centers in Rochester, Minnesota, and Singapore

2018 ◽  
Vol 62 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shehara M. Mendis ◽  
Shawn Vasoo ◽  
Brian D. Johnston ◽  
Stephen B. Porter ◽  
Scott A. Cunningham ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Virulence Gene ◽  
Fluoroquinolone Resistance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Gene Profiles ◽  
Clonal Distribution ◽  
To Receive ◽  
Community Onset

ABSTRACT Escherichia coli bacteremia is caused mainly by sequence type complex 131 (STc131) and two clades within its fluoroquinolone-resistance-associated H30 subclone, H30R1 and H30Rx. We examined clinical and molecular correlates of E. coli bacteremia in two geographically distinct centers. We retrospectively studied 251 unique E. coli bloodstream isolates from 246 patients (48 from the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN [MN], and 198 from Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore [SG]), from October 2013 through March 2014. Isolates underwent PCR for phylogroup, STc, blaCTX-M type, and virulence gene profiles, and medical records were reviewed. Although STc131 accounted for 25 to 27% of all E. coli bacteremia isolates at each site, its extended-spectrum-β-lactamase (ESBL)-associated H30Rx clade was more prominent in SG than in MN (15% versus 4%; P = 0.04). In SG only, patients with STc131 (versus other E. coli STc isolates) were more likely to receive inactive initial antibiotics (odds ratio, 2.8; P = 0.005); this was true specifically for patients with H30Rx (odds ratio, 7.0; P = 0.005). H30Rx comprised 16% of community-onset bacteremia episodes in SG but none in MN. In SG, virulence scores were higher for H30Rx than for H30R1, non-H30 STc131, and non-STc131 isolates (P < 0.02 for all comparisons). At neither site did mortality differ by clonal status. The ESBL-associated H30Rx clade was more prevalent and more often of community onset in SG, where it predicted inactive empirical treatment. The clonal distribution varies geographically and has potentially important clinical implications. Rapid susceptibility testing and clonal diagnostics for H30/H30Rx might facilitate earlier prescribing of active therapy.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document