Comparative analysis of virulence characteristics of Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli in strains of e. coli isolated from patients with different types of urinary infection

• Grant number: 19/14553-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Effective date (Start): March 01, 2020
• Effective date (End): May 31, 2021
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Microbiology - Biology and Physiology of Microorganisms
• Principal Investigator: Tânia Aparecida Tardelli Gomes do Amaral
• Grantee: Júllia Assis da Silva Nascimento
• Host Institution: Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus São Paulo. São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Some Escherichia coli strains present virulence factors that contribute to colonization, invasion and, consequently, the establishment of disease in different parts of the human body. E. coli strains capable of causing intestinal infections are called diarrheagenic E. coli (DEC) while those that cause extraintestinal infections are named extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC). The latter group comprises strains that are associated with neonatal meningitis, sepsis and urinary tract infections (uropathogenic E. coli, UPEC). The genes associated with virulence in these strains are located on pathogenicity islands or plasmids, which can be transferred from DEC strains to ExPEC strains or vice versa. In addition, some ExPEC strains have been reported to carry genetic markers previously associated with the distinct DEC pathotypes. Therefore, these strains are considered hybrid strains and have a greater potential to cause more severe intestinal and/or extraintestinal diseases. However, few studies have evaluated the phenotypic and genotypic properties and the pathogenic potential of hybrid strains. This study will evaluate the occurrence of hybrid UPEC in different clinical situations: cystitis, pyelonephritis, and asymptomatic urinary infections. In addition, hybrid UPEC strains will be compared regarding their serotypes, phylogenetic and clonal groups, plasmid content, ability to produce biofilm and in vitro adhesion properties. The genome of a hybrid strain from each clonal group will be sequenced and analyzed. This study will contribute to a better understanding of the UPEC epidemiology, the pathogenesis of hybrid strains and their potential to colonize different sites in the urinary tract and intestines. The data generated will allow the adoption of adequate measures to prevent and control the disease. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

NASCIMENTO, JULLIA A. S.; SANTOS, FERNANDA F.; VALIATTI, TIAGO B.; SANTOS-NETO, JOSE F.; SANTOS, ANA CAROLINA M.; CAYO, RODRIGO; GALES, ANA C.; GOMES, TANIA A. T.. Frequency and Diversity of Hybrid Escherichia coli Strains Isolated from Urinary Tract Infections. MICROORGANISMS, v. 9, n. 4, APR 2021. (17/21947-7, 18/17353-7, 19/14553-8, 19/21685-8)