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The association between colicinogenicity and pathogenesis among uropathogenic isolates of Escherichia coli

G J O'Brien1, S T Chambers, B Peddie

  • 1Plant and Microbial Sciences Department, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand.

Microbial Pathogenesis
|March 1, 1996
PubMed

Insights

Colicin production is linked to symptomatic urinary tract infections (UTIs) in E. coli. Many UTI-causing E. coli strains produce novel colicins, suggesting new roles in pathogenesis.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Bacterial Pathogenesis
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Colicins were traditionally considered to have an indirect role in bacterial pathogenesis.
  • Understanding the specific mechanisms by which bacteria cause disease is crucial for developing targeted therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between colicin production and pathogenesis in uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC).
  • To identify novel colicins produced by UPEC strains and explore their potential role in urinary tract infections (UTIs).

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of 568 clinical isolates of uropathogenic E. coli.
  • Comparison of colicin production rates between symptomatic (pyelonephritis, cystitis) and asymptomatic UTI patients.
  • Characterization of colicins produced by colicin-positive isolates to identify novel types.

Main Results:

  • Significantly higher colicin production was observed in strains from symptomatic UTIs (44.4% in pyelonephritis, 51.5% in cystitis) compared to asymptomatic infections (32.5%).
  • Over half (57.3%) of the colicin-positive isolates produced colicins not belonging to any known type.
  • The colicin V genotype was present in only 10.8% of colicin-positive isolates, indicating the prevalence of other colicin types.

Conclusions:

  • Colicinogenicity is associated with symptomatic pathogenesis in uropathogenic E. coli.
  • A significant proportion of UPEC strains produce novel colicins, suggesting undiscovered roles in UTIs.
  • Different colicinogenic plasmids may be prevalent in UPEC during urinary tract infections.

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