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Non-Invasive Model of Neuropathogenic Escherichia coli Infection in the Neonatal Rat
08:27

Non-Invasive Model of Neuropathogenic Escherichia coli Infection in the Neonatal Rat

Published on: October 29, 2014

Avian pathogenic, uropathogenic, and newborn meningitis-causing Escherichia coli: how closely related are they?

Christa Ewers1, Ganwu Li, Hendrik Wilking

  • 1Institut für Mikrobiologie und Tierseuchen, Freie Universität Berlin, P.O. Box 040225, D-10061 Berlin, Germany. ewers.christa@vetmed.fu-berlin.de

International Journal of Medical Microbiology : IJMM
|March 22, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Poultry may harbor extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC), acting as a reservoir for human infections. Avian pathogenic E. coli (APEC) strains share virulence genes with human pathogens, suggesting zoonotic potential.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Genetics
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC) encompasses avian pathogenic E. coli (APEC), uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC), and newborn meningitis-causing E. coli (NMEC).
  • The diversity, origins, and evolutionary relationships of ExPEC strains remain incompletely understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize the genetic diversity and evolutionary relationships of ExPEC strains from medical and veterinary sources.
  • To investigate the potential role of APEC as a reservoir for human ExPEC infections and virulence factors.

Main Methods:

  • Screening of 526 ExPEC strains for E. coli Reference Collection (ECOR) group assignment and virulence gene profiles.
  • Analysis of the distribution of chromosomally located and plasmid-associated virulence genes across different ExPEC pathotypes and host origins.

Main Results:

  • Human ExPEC strains predominantly belong to ECOR groups B2 and D, while APEC strains are frequently found in ECOR group A.
  • APEC and NMEC strains share specific invasion and capsule genes, suggesting a closer relationship.
  • ColV plasmid-associated genes are more prevalent in APEC, indicating their potential role in gene transfer to UPEC and NMEC.

Conclusions:

  • Poultry may serve as a reservoir for human ExPEC strains, with APEC potentially acting as a source of virulence genes.
  • Certain APEC subgroups exhibit characteristics of zoonotic agents, highlighting the need for further phylogenetic analysis to understand ExPEC evolution.

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