papG alleles among Escherichia coli strains causing urosepsis: associations with other bacterial characteristics and

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J R Johnson1

  • 1University of Minnesota and Minneapolis VA Medical Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. johns007@maroon.tc.umn.edu

Infection and Immunity
|August 26, 1998
PubMed

Insights

Escherichia coli blood isolates show a predominance of P adhesin gene papG allele II over allele III. Allele III is linked to specific virulence factors and increased host compromise in urosepsis patients.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Genetics
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Urosepsis is a severe bloodstream infection often caused by Escherichia coli.
  • The P adhesin gene (papG) plays a crucial role in E. coli virulence and adherence.
  • Different papG alleles are associated with varying pathogenic potentials.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence of papG alleles (I, II, III) in E. coli blood isolates from adult urosepsis patients.
  • To compare the papG genotype with bacterial characteristics and host factors.
  • To understand the clinical significance of different papG alleles in urosepsis.

Main Methods:

  • Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect papG alleles I, II, and III.
  • Seventy-five E. coli blood isolates from adult patients with urosepsis were analyzed.
  • Bacterial characteristics (hemolysin, aerobactin production, serogroups) and host compromise status were assessed.

Main Results:

  • Allele II was the predominant genotype (71%), followed by allele III (7%). Allele I was not detected.
  • Allele III was significantly associated with hemolysin (hly) presence and aerobactin (iuc) absence.
  • Allele III strains showed nonagglutination with digalactoside beads, lacked aerobactin production, belonged to serogroups O6 and O18, and were linked to compromised hosts (cancer, upper urinary tract abnormalities).

Conclusions:

  • The P adhesin gene papG allele II is most common in E. coli causing urosepsis in adults.
  • papG allele III is associated with specific virulence factor profiles and increased host susceptibility.
  • These findings contribute to understanding E. coli pathogenesis in urosepsis and may inform clinical management.

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