Abstract
Proteus mirabilis, a motile Gram-negative bacterium, represents a common cause of complicated urinary tract infections. Autotransporters are a family of secreted proteins from Gram-negative bacteria that direct their own secretion across the outer membrane (type V autotransporter secretion mechanism). Serine protease autotransporters of Enterobacteriaceae (SPATEs) include adhesins, toxins, and proteases that can contribute to the virulence. Plasmid-encoded toxin (Pet) is the predominant protein in culture supernatants of enteroaggregative E. coli prototype strain 042 and has been extensively studied. Pet toxin is encoded on the 65-MDa adherence-related plasmid of EAEC 042 strain. In this work, Pet protein was found in the supernatant obtained from Proteus mirabilis RTX339 strain isolated from a psychiatric patient suffering complicated urinary tract infections (UTIs). The nucleotide sequence of pet gene was obtained using primers designed from E. coli 042 pet gene reported. The alignment of the sequence showed 100% identity with the pet gene reported. Is important to note that Proteus mirabilis RTX339 pet gene has chromosomal location. The chromosomal location of the gene was established since no plasmids were harbored by this strain.
Highlights
Proteus mirabilis is a common cause of urinary tract infections in patients with structural abnormalities of the urinary tract [1]
Plasmid-encoded toxin (Pet) toxin is encoded on the 65-MDa adherence-related plasmid of enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC) strain 042 [7], we found this Pet protein in the supernatant from Proteus mirabilis RTX339 strain isolated from patients with urinary tract infections (UTIs)
We obtained antibodies against Pet protein of P.mirabilis RTX 339 strain and are capable of react and recognize the Pet protein of Escherichia coli 042 type strain, which means that the proteins of both strains share common epitopes, besides they might have a high level of homology, as has been described that some molecules in the case of Escherichia coli have a very similar structure [22]
Summary
Proteus mirabilis is a common cause of urinary tract infections in patients with structural abnormalities of the urinary tract [1]. About 90% of P. mirabilis urinary tract infections show renal involvement, and this predilection for the upper urinary tract has been confirmed in animal models, which have shown that this microorganism is able to invade host kidney cells [2]. It is believed that its ability to colonize the urinary tract is associated with its swarming motility [3]. In addition these bacteria colonize the catheter, forming a biofilm [4]. Plasmid-encoded toxin (Pet), first described in enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC) strain 042 [7], is a 107 KDa secreted protein that damages the human intestinal mucosa by inducing exfoliation of epithelial cells and development of crypt abscesses. It has been reported that Pet produces cellular damage associated with fodrin disruption on live HEp-2 cells [9], and in 2002, using an animal model study [10], it was reported histopathological evidence that confirmed the stimulation of mucus hypersecretion, an increased amount of goblet cells and the presence of bacterial aggregates in the apical surface of OPEN ACCESS
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
