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Virulence characteristics of Escherichia coli in acute bacterial prostatitis
K Mitsumori1, A Terai, S Yamamoto
1Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.
Abstract:
To assess the urovirulence characteristics of Escherichia coli strains causing acute prostatitis, urinary isolates from men with acute prostatitis (n=107) and from women with acute uncomplicated pyelonephritis (n=76) were examined for the prevalence of sfa, foc, and 3 papG allele genotypes and phenotypes and for the production of alpha-hemolysin and cytotoxic necrotizing factor 1. The papG allele III and foc gene were found more frequently and the papG allele II less frequently among prostatitis than from pyelonephritis isolates. A higher proportion of hly+ cnf1+ genotype in prostatitis strains (64% vs. 36%) was particularly striking. Both prostatitis and pyelonephritis strains expressed virulence factors similarly except for a higher proportion of nonhemolytic prostatitis isolates. Although the pathogenetic mechanisms of urinary tract infections in men and women may differ, virulence factors such as adhesins and cytotoxins may have important roles in the pathogenesis of acute prostatitis.
Insights
Escherichia coli strains causing acute prostatitis in men show distinct urovirulence factors compared to those causing pyelonephritis in women. These differences in virulence factors suggest varied roles in urinary tract infection pathogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Acute prostatitis is a common infection in men.
- Understanding the urovirulence factors of Escherichia coli is crucial for diagnosing and treating urinary tract infections (UTIs).
- Comparing E. coli strains from male prostatitis and female pyelonephritis can elucidate sex-specific UTI pathogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the urovirulence characteristics of Escherichia coli strains isolated from men with acute prostatitis and women with acute uncomplicated pyelonephritis.
- To investigate the prevalence of specific virulence factors, including adhesins (sfa, foc, papG alleles) and toxins (alpha-hemolysin, cytotoxic necrotizing factor 1).
Main Methods:
- Analysis of urinary E. coli isolates from 107 men with acute prostatitis and 76 women with acute uncomplicated pyelonephritis.
- Genotyping and phenotyping for sfa, foc, papG alleles (I, II, III), alpha-hemolysin (hly), and cytotoxic necrotizing factor 1 (cnf1).
Main Results:
- Prostatitis isolates showed higher frequencies of papG allele III and foc genes, and lower frequencies of papG allele II compared to pyelonephritis isolates.
- A significantly higher proportion of prostatitis strains exhibited the hly+ cnf1+ genotype (64% vs. 36%).
- Most virulence factors were expressed similarly, except for a higher prevalence of non-hemolytic strains among prostatitis isolates.
Conclusions:
- Distinct urovirulence factor profiles exist between E. coli strains causing prostatitis in men and pyelonephritis in women.
- Adhesins and cytotoxins likely play significant roles in the pathogenesis of acute prostatitis, potentially differing from mechanisms in female UTIs.