Multilocus Sequence Typing and Virulence Profiles in Uropathogenic Escherichia coli Isolated from Cats in the United States.

Xiaoqiang Liu,Kamoltip Thungrat,Dawn M Boothe,Qijing Zhang

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0143335

Xiaoqiang Liu, Kamoltip Thungrat + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0143335

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Abstract

The population structure, virulence, and antimicrobial resistance of uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) from cats are rarely characterized. The aim of this study was to compare and characterize the UPEC isolated from cats in four geographic regions of USA in terms of their multilocus sequence typing (MLST), virulence profiles, clinical signs, antimicrobial resistance and phylogenetic grouping. The results showed that a total of 74 E. coli isolates were typed to 40 sequence types with 10 being novel. The most frequent phylogenetic group was B2 (n = 57). The most frequent sequence types were ST73 (n = 12) and ST83 (n = 6), ST73 was represented by four multidrug resistant (MDR) and eight non-multidrug resistant (SDR) isolates, and ST83 were significantly more likely to exhibit no drug resistant (NDR) isolates carrying the highest number of virulence genes. Additionally, MDR isolates were more diverse, and followed by SDR and NDR isolates in regards to the distribution of the STs. afa/draBC was the most prevalent among the 29 virulence-associated genes. Linking virulence profile and antimicrobial resistance, the majority of virulence-associated genes tested were more prevalent in NDR isolates, and followed by SDR and MDR isolates. Twenty (50%) MLST types in this study have previously been associated with human isolates, suggesting that these STs are potentially zoonotic. Our data enhanced the understanding of E. coli population structure and virulence association from cats. The diverse and various combinations of virulence-associated genes implied that the infection control may be challenging.

Highlights

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most frequent bacterial infection in both human and companion animals
We investigated the association between phylogenetic background, antimicrobial resistance, virulence profiles, clinical signs as well as the genetic relatedness of the Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) isolated from cats in four geographic regions of the United States
Our results discovered a clear association between the phylogenetic groups, resistant phenotypes, virulence profiles, multilocus sequence typing (MLST) types and different levels of clinical signs

Summary

Introduction

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most frequent bacterial infection in both human and companion animals. Multilocus Sequence Typing and Virulence Factors in E. coli from Cats and public health resources as previous study indicate that there may be cross transmission of ExPEC between animals and humans [2]. The ability of UPEC to cause symptomatic UTIs is associated with expression of numerous virulence-associated genes. This includes a broad array of adhesins, invasins, toxins and proteins, which are responsible for pathogenesis outside the gastrointestinal tract [3,4]. Previous surveys have demonstrated similarities among clinical E. coli isolates from humans, dogs, and cats with respect to genomic background and virulence genes, suggesting possible zoonotic transmission [7]

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