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Virulence-associated factors in Escherichia coli strains isolated from children with urinary tract infections
L Siegfried1, M Kmetová, H Puzová
1Institute of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Safárik University, Kosice, Slovakia.
Insights
This study found that P fimbriae, alpha-haemolysin, and aerobactin production were more common in Escherichia coli strains causing pyelonephritis in children. These virulence factors were linked to mannose-resistant haemagglutination and serum resistance.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric infectious diseases
- Microbiology
- Urology
Background:
- Escherichia coli is a common cause of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in children.
- Understanding virulence factors associated with specific UTI types, like pyelonephritis, is crucial for effective treatment and prevention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate virulence factors of Escherichia coli strains isolated from children with pyelonephritis and lower UTIs.
- To determine associations between specific virulence factors and the type of UTI.
Main Methods:
- Isolation and characterization of 168 Escherichia coli strains from pediatric UTI cases.
- Assessment of P fimbriae (PF), haemagglutination patterns, cell-surface hydrophobicity, serum resistance, alpha-haemolysin (AH), colicins, and aerobactin production.
- Serotyping and plasmid analysis of the isolates.
Main Results:
- P fimbriae, AH, aerobactin production, and serum resistance were more frequent in strains with mannose-resistant haemagglutination.
- PF and AH production were significantly higher in pyelonephritogenic strains compared to lower UTI strains.
- Serotypes O6 and O112 were most common; plasmids were prevalent in most strains.
Conclusions:
- Mannose-resistant haemagglutination is associated with key virulence factors in pediatric E. coli UTI strains.
- P fimbriae and alpha-haemolysin are important factors distinguishing pyelonephritis-causing E. coli in children.
- Specific serotypes and plasmid carriage are common in these pediatric isolates.
Abstract:
One hundred and sixty-eight strains of Escherichia coli were isolated from cases of pyelonephritis (24) and lower urinary tract infections (UTI) (144) from hospitalised and outpatient children up to 2 years old. These strains were investigated for the expression of P fimbriae (PF), mannose-resistant and mannose-sensitive haemagglutination, cell-surface hydrophobicity, serum resistance and the production of alpha-haemolysin (AH), colicins and aerobactin. PF, AH, aerobactin production and serum resistance were significantly more frequent amongst strains expressing mannose-resistant haemagglutination. PF and AH production was significantly more frequent in pyelonephritogenic strains than in lower UTI strains. Serotypes O6 and O112 were isolated most frequently and plasmids were found in the majority of strains tested.