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Multiplex Determination of K-Antigen and Colanic Acid Capsule Variants of Cronobacter sakazakii

Khaled M Ibrahim1, Abdlrhman M Alsonosi2, Mahmoud B Agena3

  • 1Microbiology Department, Libyan Biotechnology Research Center, Tripoli P.O. Box 30313, Libya.

Genes
|October 26, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Cronobacter sakazakii infections in infants are linked to contaminated formula. This study developed a multiplex PCR to identify K-antigen and colanic acid types, aiding in diagnosing and investigating foodborne illnesses.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Food Safety
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Cronobacter sakazakii is a pathogen linked to infant formula, causing severe infections like meningitis.
  • Capsular polysaccharides, specifically K-antigen and colanic acid (CA), are potential virulence factors in C. sakazakii.
  • The K2:CA2 capsule variant is strongly associated with neonatal meningitis cases.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop and validate a multiplex PCR assay for identifying C. sakazakii K-antigen and colanic acid types.
  • To correlate these virulence factors with specific sequence types and serotypes of C. sakazakii.

Main Methods:

  • A multiplex PCR assay was designed and applied to 26 C. sakazakii strains.
  • Strains were previously isolated from food and environmental sources, covering 18 multilocus sequence types.
  • PCR results were compared with whole-genome sequencing data for validation.

Main Results:

  • The study identified two K-antigen types (K1 and K2) and two colanic acid types (CA1 and CA2) within the tested C. sakazakii strains.
  • Specific sequence types were associated with each K-antigen and colanic acid type.
  • PCR results showed complete agreement with genomic analysis, confirming assay accuracy.

Conclusions:

  • The developed multiplex PCR assay is a reliable tool for rapid identification of C. sakazakii, K-antigen, and colanic acid types.
  • This assay can aid in routine diagnostics and foodborne outbreak investigations.
  • Findings contribute to understanding virulence factors associated with severe C. sakazakii infections in neonates.

Keywords:
C. sakazakiiK-antigen and colanic acidcapsule variants

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