Abstract
The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence of different virulence factor (VF) genes in extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing Escherichia coli strains isolated from the Baltic Sea region. A total of 432 strains of phenotypically ESBL positive E. coli were collected from 20 institutions located in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and the region of St. Petersburg in Russia from January to May 2012 and analyzed for phylogenetic group and prevalence of 23 VF genes. The strains were collected from clinical material (urine, blood, wound, and respiratory tract). Bacterial isolates were compared according to phylogenetic group, clinical material, and geographical origin. Most of the VF genes were concentrated within phylogenetic group B2 and/or D. When comparing strains isolated from different countries, it was found that strains originating from Estonia and Latvia belonged mainly to group B2 and strains from Lithuania and Russia mainly to groups B2 and D. The P-fimbrial adhesin gene papEF was more prevalent in Russian strains, colicin gene cvaC in Lithuanian strains, and capsular gene kpsMTII in Latvian strains; serum resistant gene traT was less prevalent in Estonian strains. The regional differences of VF genes remained statistically significant after taking into account the phylogenetic distribution in the countries.
Highlights
Escherichia coli strains, which are important to humans, can be classified into 3 groups: commensal strains, intestinal pathogenic strains, and extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC) strains [1]
We characterized the collection of 423 extraintestinal phenotypically extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) positive E. coli strains with respect to phylogenetic groups and 23 virulence factor (VF) genes
The present study is the first to assess the phylogenetic distribution and prevalence of VF genes within the E. coli strains isolated from the Baltic Sea region
Summary
Escherichia coli strains, which are important to humans, can be classified into 3 groups: commensal strains, intestinal pathogenic (enteric or diarrheagenic) strains, and extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC) strains [1]. Pathogenic E. coli clones have acquired specific virulence factors (VF), which confer an increased ability to adapt to new niches and allow them to cause a broad spectrum of diseases [3]. ExPEC isolates have functionally similar VF profiles and clonal background, and they are distinct from commensal and intestinal pathogenic E. coli strains [4]. VF-s of ExPEC include different adhesins, toxins, capsules, siderophores, invasins, and antibiotic resistance. These VFs contribute to colonization and invasion into host tissues, avoidance to immune responses, and antimicrobial drugs and acquiring nutrients from the host [5, 6]. Extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) production is a common mechanism of resistance to BioMed Research International third-generation cephalosporins in E. coli, associated with the frequent use of β-lactam antibiotics in treatment of serious E. coli infections [5]
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