scholarly journals Characterization of Clinical Escherichia coli Strains Producing a Novel Shiga Toxin 2 Subtype in Sweden and Denmark

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 2374
Author(s):  
Xiangning Bai ◽  
Flemming Scheutz ◽  
Henrik Mellström Dahlgren ◽  
Ingela Hedenström ◽  
Cecilia Jernberg
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Shiga Toxin ◽  
Virulence Genes ◽  
Epidemiological Surveillance ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Shiga Toxin 2 ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
Macrolide Resistance Gene

Shiga toxin (Stx) is the key virulence factor in the Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli (STEC), which can cause diarrhea and hemorrhagic colitis with potential life-threatening complications. There are two major types of Stx: Stx1 and Stx2. Several Stx1/Stx2 subtypes have been identified in E. coli, varying in sequences, toxicity and host specificity. Here, we report a novel Stx2 subtype (designated Stx2m) from three clinical E. coli strains isolated from diarrheal patients and asymptomatic carriers in Sweden and Denmark. The Stx2m toxin was functional and exhibited cytotoxicity in vitro. The two Swedish Stx2m-producing strains belonged to the same serotype O148:H39 and Multilocus Sequencing Typing (MLST) Sequence Type (ST) 5825, while the Danish strain belonged to the O96:H19 serotype and ST99 type. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data analysis revealed that the three Stx2m-producing strains harbored additional virulence genes and the macrolide resistance gene mdf (A). Our findings expand the pool of Stx2 subtypes and highlight the clinical significance of emerging STEC variants. Given the clinical relevance of the Stx2m-producing strains, we propose to include Stx2m in epidemiological surveillance of STEC infections and clinical diagnosis.

scholarly journals Recycling of Shiga Toxin 2 Genes in Sorbitol-Fermenting Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:NM

2007 ◽  
Vol 74 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-72 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Mellmann ◽  
Shan Lu ◽  
Helge Karch ◽  
Jian-guo Xu ◽  
Dag Harmsen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Shiga Toxin ◽  
Integration Site ◽  
Hot Spot ◽  
Blot Hybridization ◽  
Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia Coli ◽  
Biologically Active ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Shiga Toxin 2

ABSTRACT Using colony blot hybridization with stx 2 and eae probes and agglutination in anti-O157 lipopolysaccharide serum, we isolated stx 2-positive and eae-positive sorbitol-fermenting (SF) enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) O157:NM (nonmotile) strains from initial stool specimens and stx-negative and eae-positive SF E. coli O157:NM strains from follow-up specimens (collected 3 to 8 days later) from three children. The stx-negative isolates from each patient shared with the corresponding stx 2-positive isolates fliC H7, non-stx virulence traits, and multilocus sequence types, which indicates that they arose from the stx 2-positive strains by loss of stx 2 during infection. Analysis of the integrity of the yecE gene, a possible stx phage integration site in EHEC O157, in the consecutive stx 2-positive and stx-negative isolates demonstrated that yecE was occupied in stx 2-positive but intact in stx-negative strains. It was possible to infect and lysogenize the stx-negative E. coli O157 strains in vitro using an stx 2-harboring bacteriophage from one of the SF EHEC O157:NM isolates. The acquisition of the stx 2-containing phage resulted in the occupation of yecE and production of biologically active Shiga toxin 2. We conclude that the yecE gene in SF E. coli O157:NM is a hot spot for excision and integration of Shiga toxin 2-encoding bacteriophages. SF EHEC O157:NM strains and their stx-negative derivatives thus represent a highly dynamic system that can convert in both directions by the loss and gain of stx 2-harboring phages. The ability to recycle stx 2, a critical virulence trait, makes SF E. coli O157:NM strains ephemeral EHEC that can exist as stx-negative variants during certain phases of their life cycle.

scholarly journals Prevalence and molecular characterization of Shiga toxin-producing escherichia coli isolates from human and sheep in Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah

Infectio ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eman Fathi Sharafa ◽  
Iman I. Shabanaa
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Foodborne Pathogens ◽  
Shiga Toxin ◽  
Genetic Relatedness ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Global Public Health ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Life Threatening

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) strains have emerged as important foodborne pathogens of global public health concern, causing life-threatening diseases. Sheep and their products have been documented as important reservoirs for STECs, especially E. coli O157. The aim of this study was to investigate STECs from diarrheal human and sheep in Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah, Saudi Arabia. Fecal samples were collected between June and August, 2015 from diarrheal humans (n = 134) and sheep (n = 87). Presumptive E. coli human-and sheep-isolated strains were identified for their serotypes, the associated virulence genes (Shiga toxin [stx1 , stx2 ], haemolysin [ehxA] and intimin [eae]) by polymerase chain reaction and their susceptibility to antibiotics. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) was used to demonstrate the genetic relatedness between Serotype O157:H7 human- and sheep-isolated strains. Forty eight (48/221; 21.7%) STECs were recovered from both human and sheep, their serotypes were as follows: O157:H7, O26:H11, O157:HNM, O26:HNM, O128:H2, O48:HNM, O111:HNM and OUT:HUT. Various virulence profiles and multiple antibiotic resistance were observed among the isolates. Twenty eight O157:H7 serotypes (17 human isolates and 11 sheep isolates) were identified in 13 PFGE pulsotypes, where human and sheep isolates were highly related. PFGE banding profiles together with serotypes and genotypes afford proof that human and sheep can be colonized and infected with similar E. coli O157:H7 strains. Our findings highlight the importance of epidemiological and microbiological surveillance of STECs; as well as the development of control measures to decrease risks associated with zoonotic O157:H7.

scholarly journals Escherichia coli Serogroup O107/O117 Lipopolysaccharide Binds and Neutralizes Shiga Toxin 2

2004 ◽  
Vol 186 (16) ◽  
pp. 5506-5512 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shantini D. Gamage ◽  
Colleen M. McGannon ◽  
Alison A. Weiss
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Shiga Toxin ◽  
Biochemical Characterization ◽  
Vero Cells ◽  
Systemic Complications ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Major Virulence Factor ◽  
Shiga Toxin 2 ◽  
Type Strains

ABSTRACT The AB5 toxin Shiga toxin 2 (Stx2) has been implicated as a major virulence factor of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and other Shiga toxin-producing E. coli strains in the progression of intestinal disease to more severe systemic complications. Here, we demonstrate that supernatant from a normal E. coli isolate, FI-29, neutralizes the effect of Stx2, but not the related Stx1, on Vero cells. Biochemical characterization of the neutralizing activity identified the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of FI-29, a serogroup O107/O117 strain, as the toxin-neutralizing component. LPSs from FI-29 as well as from type strains E. coli O107 and E. coli O117 were able bind Stx2 but not Stx1, indicating that the mechanism of toxin neutralization may involve inhibition of the interaction between Stx2 and the Gb3 receptor on Vero cells.

scholarly journals Prevalence and Genetic Characterization of Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli Isolates from Slaughtered Animals in Bangladesh

2008 ◽  
Vol 74 (17) ◽  
pp. 5414-5421 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad A. Islam ◽  
Abdus S. Mondol ◽  
Enne de Boer ◽  
Rijkelt R. Beumer ◽  
Marcel H. Zwietering ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Shiga Toxin ◽  
Virulence Genes ◽  
Genetic Characterization ◽  
Clonal Diversity ◽  
Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Phage Types ◽  
Distinct Restriction

ABSTRACT To determine the prevalence of Shiga toxin (Stx)-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) in slaughter animals in Dhaka, Bangladesh, we collected rectal contents immediately after animals were slaughtered. Of the samples collected from buffalo (n = 174), cows (n = 139), and goats (n = 110), 82.2%, 72.7%, and 11.8% tested positive for stx 1 and/or stx 2, respectively. STEC could be isolated from 37.9%, 20.1%, and 10.0% of the buffalo, cows, and goats, respectively. STEC O157 samples were isolated from 14.4% of the buffalo, 7.2% of the cows, and 9.1% of the goats. More than 93% (n = 42) of the STEC O157 isolates were positive for the stx 2, eae, katP, etpD, and enterohemorrhagic E. coli hly (hly EHEC) virulence genes. STEC O157 isolates were characterized by seven recognized phage types, of which types 14 (24.4%) and 31 (24.4%) were predominant. Subtyping of the 45 STEC O157 isolates by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis showed 37 distinct restriction patterns, suggesting a heterogeneous clonal diversity. In addition to STEC O157, 71 STEC non-O157 strains were isolated from 60 stx-positive samples from 23.6% of the buffalo, 12.9% of the cows, and 0.9% of the goats. The STEC non-O157 isolates belonged to 36 different O groups and 52 O:H serotypes. Unlike STEC O157, most of the STEC non-O157 isolates (78.9%) were positive for stx 1. Only 7.0% (n = 5) of the isolates were positive for hly EHEC, and none was positive for eae, katP, and etpD. None of the isolates was positive for the iha, toxB, and efa1 putative adhesion genes. However, 35.2% (n = 25), 11.3% (n = 8), 12.7% (n = 9), and 12.7% (n = 9) of the isolates were positive for the lpf O113, saa, lpfA O157/01-141, and lpfA O157/OI-154 genes, respectively. The results of this study provide the first evidence that slaughtered animals like buffalo, cows, and goats in Bangladesh are reservoirs for STEC, including the potentially virulent STEC strain O157.

scholarly journals Escherichia coli O157:H7 Strain Origin, Lineage, and Shiga Toxin 2 Expression Affect Colonization of Cattle

2009 ◽  
Vol 75 (15) ◽  
pp. 5074-5081 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ross M. S. Lowe ◽  
Danica Baines ◽  
L. Brent Selinger ◽  
James E. Thomas ◽  
Tim A. McAllister ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Shiga Toxin ◽  
Escherichia Coli O157 ◽  
Human Origin ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Unknown Factor ◽  
Shiga Toxin 2 ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Dose Dependent

ABSTRACT Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7 has evolved into an important human pathogen with cattle as the main reservoir. The recent discovery of E. coli O157:H7-induced pathologies in challenged cattle has suggested that previously discounted bacterial virulence factors may contribute to the colonization of cattle. The objective of the present study was to examine the impact of lineage type, cytotoxin activity, and cytotoxin expression on the amount of E. coli O157:H7 colonization of cattle tissue and cells in vitro. Using selected bovine- and human-origin strains, we determined that lineage type predicted the amount of E. coli O157:H7 strain colonization: lineage I > intermediate lineages > lineage II. All E. coli O157:H7 strain colonization was dose dependent, with threshold colonization at 103 to 105 CFU and maximum colonization at 107 CFU. We also determined that an as-yet-unknown factor of strain origin was the most dominant predictor of the amount of strain colonization in vitro. The amount of E. coli O157:H7 colonization was also influenced by strain cytotoxin activity and the inclusion of cytotoxins from lineage I or intermediate lineage strains increased colonization of a lineage II strain. There was a higher level of expression of the Shiga toxin 1 gene (stx 1) in human-origin strains than in bovine-origin strains. In addition, lineage I strains expressed higher levels of the Shiga toxin 2 gene (stx 2). The present study supports a role for strain origin, lineage type, cytotoxin activity, and stx 2 expression in modulating the amount of E. coli O157:H7 colonization of cattle.

scholarly journals Transduction of Porcine Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli with a Derivative of a Shiga Toxin 2-Encoding Bacteriophage in a Porcine Ligated Ileal Loop System

2003 ◽  
Vol 69 (12) ◽  
pp. 7242-7247 ◽  
Author(s):  
István Tóth ◽  
Herbert Schmidt ◽  
Mohamed Dow ◽  
Anna Malik ◽  
Eric Oswald ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Shiga Toxin ◽  
Prototype Strain ◽  
Epec Strain ◽  
Ileal Loop ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Shiga Toxin 2 ◽  
K 12

ABSTRACT In this study, we have investigated the ability of detoxified Shiga toxin (Stx)-converting bacteriophages Φ3538 (Δstx 2::cat) (H. Schmidt et al., Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 65:3855-3861, 1999) and H-19B::Tn10d-bla (D. W. Acheson et al., Infect. Immun. 66:4496-4498, 1998) to lysogenize enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) strains in vivo. We were able to transduce the porcine EPEC strain 1390 (O45) withΦ 3538 (Δstx 2::cat) in porcine ligated ileal loops but not the human EPEC prototype strain E2348/69 (O127). Neither strain 1390 nor strain E2348/69 was lysogenized under these in vivo conditions when E. coli K-12 containing H-19B::Tn10d-bla was used as the stx1 phage donor. The repeated success in the in vivo transduction of an Stx2-encoding phage to a porcine EPEC strain in pig loops was in contrast to failures in the in vitro trials with these and other EPEC strains. These results indicate that in vivo conditions are more effective for transduction of Stx2-encoding phages than in vitro conditions.

Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli Infections in Germany†

1997 ◽  
Vol 60 (11) ◽  
pp. 1454-1457 ◽  
Author(s):  
HELGE KARCH ◽  
HANS-IKO HUPPERTZ ◽  
JOCHEN BOCKEMÜHL ◽  
HERBERT SCHMIDT ◽  
ANDREAS SCHWARZKOPF ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Shiga Toxin ◽  
Virulence Genes ◽  
Blot Hybridization ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Microbiological Analysis ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Shiga Toxin 2 ◽  
Stool Samples ◽  
A Prospective Study

A prospective study was carried out in collaboration with two children's hospitals in Würzburg, Germany to assess the incidence and clinical manifestations of infections due to Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) in children. Between 1991 and 1995, stool samples from 2788 children with enteritis were investigated for the occurrence of STEC. STEC cultures from stools were screened using PCR with primers complementary to Shiga toxin 1(Stx1) and Shiga toxin 2 (Stx2) genes. PCR-positive samples were further subjected to colony blot hybridization and probe positive colonies were serotyped and analyzed for the presence of virulence genes. There was an increase in the incidence of STEC infections from 0.4% in 1991 to 2.8% in 1994. In 1995 the number of infections remained nearly unchanged (2.5%). Infection with STEC was associated with painful nonbloody diarrhea in most patients. Among the 35 patients in this study with stools containing STEC, only 9 (25.7%) had O157 colonies of which 3 (8.6%) were O157:H7 and 6 (17.1%) were sorbitol-fermenting O157:H−. In an additional study in 1994/l995, STEC etiology in 88 patients with HUS from Germany was confirmed in our laboratories by culture of STEC from stools, and in 20 additional HUS cases by serological analysis. Of the strains from stools of HUS patients, 78% belonged to serogroup O157. The most frequently isolated non-O157 serogroups were O26 and O111. These results demonstrate that when analyzing stools of patients with bloody diarrhea, HUS, or painful nonbloody diarrhea, the occurrence of non-O157:H7 strains should be considered when classical microbiological analysis fails to yield a standard enteric pathogen, such as Campylobacter. E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella. Shigella, or Yersinia.

scholarly journals Hybrid Shiga Toxin-Producing and Enterotoxigenic Escherichia sp. Cryptic Lineage 1 Strain 7v Harbors a Hybrid Plasmid

2016 ◽  
Vol 82 (14) ◽  
pp. 4309-4319 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan R. Leonard ◽  
Mark K. Mammel ◽  
David A. Rasko ◽  
David W. Lacher
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Virulence Factors ◽  
Shiga Toxin ◽  
Virulence Genes ◽  
Clinical Samples ◽  
Hybrid Strain ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Cryptic Lineage

ABSTRACTHybrid isolates of Shiga toxin-producingEscherichia coli(STEC) and enterotoxigenicE. coli(ETEC) encoding heat-stable enterotoxin (ST) are being reported with increasing frequency from a variety of sources. However, information regarding the plasmids that these strains harbor is scarce. In this study, we sequence and characterize a plasmid, p7v, from the STEC/ETEC hybrid strain 7v. Whole-genome phylogenetic analyses of STEC/ETEC hybrid strains and prototypeE. coliisolates of other pathotypes placed 7v in theEscherichiasp. cryptic lineage 1 (CL1) clade. The complete plasmid, p7v, was determined to be 229,275 bp and encodes putative virulence factors that are typically carried on STEC plasmids as well as those often carried on ETEC plasmids, indicating that the hybrid nature of the strain extends beyond merely encoding the two toxins. Plasmid p7v carries two copies ofstawith identical sequences, which were discovered to be divergent from thestasequences found in the prototype human ETEC strains. Using a nomenclature scheme based on a phylogeny constructed fromstaandstbsequences, thestaencoded on p7v is designated STa4.In silicoanalysis determined that p7v also encodes the K88 fimbria, a colonization factor usually associated with porcine ETEC plasmids. The p7v sequence and the presence of plasmid-encoded virulence factors are compared to those of other STEC/ETEC CL1 hybrid genomes and reveal gene acquisition/loss at the strain level. In addition, the interrogation of 24 STEC/ETEC hybrid genomes for identification of plasmid replicons, colonization factors, Stx and ST subtypes, and other plasmid-encoded virulence genes highlights the diversity of these hybrid strains.IMPORTANCEHybrid Shiga toxin-producingEscherichia coli/enterotoxigenicEscherichia coli(STEC/ETEC) strains, which have been isolated from environmental, animal, and human clinical samples, may represent an emerging threat as food-borne pathogens. Characterization of these strains is important for assessing virulence potential, aiding in the development of pathogen detection methods, and understanding how the hybrid strains evolve to potentially have a greater impact on public health. This study represents, to our knowledge, both the first characterization of a closed plasmid sequence from a STEC/ETEC hybrid strain and the most comprehensive phylogenetic analysis of available STEC/ETEC hybrid genomes to date. The results demonstrate how the mobility of plasmid-associated virulence genes has resulted in the creation of a diverse plasmid repertoire within the STEC/ETEC hybrid strains.

Prevalence of shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O157, O26 and O111 in milk, meat and faeces of cattle, sheep and pigs slaughtered in Benin

2020 ◽  
Vol 152 ◽  
pp. 15667-15675
Author(s):  
Chakirath Folakè Arikè Salifou ◽  
Cyrille Boko ◽  
Isidore Houaga ◽  
Raoul Agossa ◽  
Isabelle Ogbankotan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Shiga Toxin ◽  
Virulence Genes ◽  
Animal Origin ◽  
Escherichia Coli O157 ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Milk Samples ◽  
Food Of Animal Origin ◽  
Cattle Faeces ◽  
Risk Assessment And Management

Objectives: The study aimed to search for E. coli O157 and non-O157 in milk, meat and faeces of cattle, sheep and pigs slaughtered in Cotonou. Methodology and Results: One hundred and Seventy-Five (175) samples including 25 meat, 25 faeces per species and 25 milk from cattle were analysed for E. coli O157; O26 and O111 and the virulence genes were identified by PCR. The SAS software (1998) and the bilateral Z test were used to calculate and compare the identification frequencies. E. coli O157 was identified in 4% of cattle faeces, 4% of sheep faeces, and 20% of beef and, in 20% of milk samples. E. coli O26 was identified in 12% of cattle faeces and, in 8% of beef samples. E. coli O111 was identified at frequencies of 8%, and 12% in faeces of sheep and pigs, respectively. The eae gene was detected in 4% of beef, ovine meat, milk, pig faeces and in sheep faeces. stx1 was detected in 8% of milk, and in 4% of bovine and sheep faeces. The strains possessing the gene were all of E. coli O157 with the exception of one from pig faeces identified as O111. Conclusions and application of findings: The presence of these serogroups of E. coli with virulence genes poses a real food safety problem in Benin. This study findings must be taken into account for risk assessment and management related to the consumption of food of animal origin. Keywords: Benin, E. coli O157, O26, O111, faeces, meat, milk

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