Assessment of the ability to form biofilms and the presence of serine protease autotransporters cytotoxin (SPATEs) genes in enteroaggregative E. coli strains detected in inflammatory bowel diseases patients

• Grant number: 12/07777-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date until: July 01, 2012
• End date until: June 30, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Microbiology - Applied Microbiology
• Principal Investigator: Josias Rodrigues
• Grantee: Erika Mayumi Watanabe
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IBB). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Botucatu. Botucatu , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC) have this designation because of their typical adhesion pattern (aggregative) shown in tests performed with epithelial cells. This class of bacteria is very heterogeneous in its properties, including innocuous and pathogenic isolates. The later have been associated with enteritis as well as extra intestinal infections. In recent observations we noticed an elevated number of EAEC isolates in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) patients, a pathology of unknown cause, but supposedly having the involvement of E. coli. Considering that biofilm formation and production of serine protease autotransporter cytotoxins (SPATEs) are typical markers of pathogenic EAEC, the purpose of this project is to perform the characterization of a collection of EAEC isolates originally found in IBD patients and control subjects. For this, a number of 120 EAEC/SPATE+ isolates from the Lab's bacterial main collection will be submitted to PCR screening aiming to identify specific SPATEs categories. In addition, the isolates will be tested for their ability to form biofilms. The expected data will support discussions on the eventual role that these bacteria may have as the cause or in the complications of IBD symptoms (AU)