Isolation and Characterization of Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) from Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens)
Abstract Background Disease prevention and control is a significant part of the ex-situ conservation of the endangered red panda (Ailurus fulgens), with bacterial infection being one important threat to the health of the captive population. To date, there are no systematic and detailed publications about E. coli-associated disease in red pandas. This study was conducted to determine the cause of death, etiology and pathogenesis in a captive red panda through clinical symptoms, complete blood count, biochemical analysis, pathological diagnosis, antimicrobial susceptibility test, mouse pathogenicity test, and bacterial whole genome sequencing. Results A bacterial strain confirmed as Escherichia coli ( E. coli ) was isolated from one captive red panda post mortem. This strain is resistant to most of the β-lactam antibiotics and a small number of aminoglycoside medications. The mouse pathogenicity test results showed that the strains isolated post mortem from mice were identical to that in the red panda, and the pathological findings were similar to those seen in the red panda. Whole-genome sequencing of the E. coli isolated from the red panda showed the complete sequences of the chromosome was 4.99 Mbp. PapA , PapG , OmpA , OmpU and other virulence factors were specific to Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC). Among the virulence factors, P pili, type I pili and iron uptake system related factors were associated with nephrotoxicity. Conclusion The red panda died of septicemic bacterial infection which was identified as Uropathogenic Escherichia coli . The pathogenic mechanisms of the strain are closely related to the expression of specific virulence genes.