Abstract
Commensal Escherichia coli, naturally occurring in the intestinal tract, can be the origin of extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC) strains. ExPEC causes high mortality and significant economic losses in the swine industry in several countries and poses a serious threat to public health worldwide. The aim of this study was to analyze the extended phylogenetic structure and extraintestinal virulence potential in two groups of commensal E. coli isolates from post-weaning piglets and sows. The phylogenetic assignment to eight groups was determined using the revised Clermont phylogenetic typing method in quadruplex PCR. Identification of extraintestinal virulence genes (VGs) and adhesin operon genes was performed using multiplex or simplex PCR. The revised phylogenetic assignment allowed us to distinguish E. coli with significantly higher (groups C and F) or lower (group E) virulence potential in isolates from piglets. The majority of the tested VGs occurred more frequently in isolates from piglets than from sows, with statistically significant differences for seven genes: fimH, papAH, iutA, iroN, ompT, traT, and iss. Complete operons for type I and P fimbriae significantly prevailed among E. coli from piglets. This study provides insight into the extended phylogenetic structure of porcine commensal E. coli and showed that these strains, particularly from piglets, constitute a considerable reservoir of extraintestinal VGs and may increase the potential risk of extraintestinal infections.
Highlights
Commensal Escherichia coli strains are members of the facultative anaerobic natural microbiota of humans and animals [1]
We previously described the phylogeny of commensal E. coli from post-weaning piglets and sows, and our study showed significant differences in distribution of phylogroups A and B1
Extended phylogenetic group classification revealed that E. coli isolates derived from piglets and sows differed significantly in their phylogenetic structure (p = 0.0005) (Figure 1)
Summary
Commensal Escherichia coli strains are members of the facultative anaerobic natural microbiota of humans and animals [1]. These bacteria are usually harmless, but part of their population can become extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC). ExPEC have a fecal origin, occur asymptomatically in the intestinal tract, and sometimes can colonize extraintestinal niches and cause serious diseases [2,3]. Typical extraintestinal infections include urinary tract infections (UTI), pyelonephritis, sepsis, pneumonia, and meningitis [4,5,6]. The virulence potential of ExPEC depends on the various extraintestinal virulence-associated factors in bacteria–host interactions, rather than a simple mechanism [7]. Characteristic ExPEC virulence factors include various adhesins (type I and P fimbriae), Int. J. Public Health 2020, 17, 366; doi:10.3390/ijerph17010366 www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerph
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