Virulence potential of commensal multidrug resistant Escherichia coli isolated from poultry in Brazil

Author(s)

Ferreira, Joseane Cristina ^[1] ; Casarin Penha Filho, Rafael Antonio ^[2] ; Yorika Kuaye, Ana Paula ^[1] ; Andrade, Leonardo Neves ^[1] ; Chang, Yung-Fu ^[3] ; Costa Darini, Ana Lucia ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Sch Pharmaceut Sci Ribeirao Preto, BR-14040903 Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil

^[2] Sao Paulo State Univ, UNESP, Sch Agr & Vet Sci, BR-14884900 Jaboticabal, SP - Brazil

^[3] Cornell Univ, Coll Vet Med, Ithaca, NY 14853 - USA

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION; v. 65, p. 251-256, NOV 2018.
• Web of Science Citations: 2

Abstract

There is an increasing number of reports worldwide about multidrug resistance (MDR) with potential of ExPEC in commensal E. coli. The present study evaluated the potential ExPEC in selected 44 MDR E. coli isolates, collected from livestock. ExPEC isolates were characterized by analysis of five main groups of virulence genes (papA and/or papC, sfa and/or foc, afa and/or dra, kpsMT II and iutA). We also determined the increased virulence potential analyzing other 29 virulence genes, the epidemiology of these isolates. Additionally, fifteen ExPEC isolates were selected to evaluate the adhesion and invasion capacity in vitro using Caco-2 cells. Based on the analysis of the five main virulence genes, 72.7% (32/44) strains were classified as ExPEC. The presence of each gene was iutA 88.6%, KpsMT II 70.4%, papC 25%, sfa/focDE 4.5%; afa/draBC genes were not found. All E. coli isolates were classified into: phylogenetic groups A (34%), B1 (10%), B2 (20%), and D (36%). MLST revealed 7 different STs among isolates, including a new ST identified (ST5687). The in vitro assay in Caco-2 cells showed that all isolates were capable to adhere or invade the epithelial cells, although this occurred at variable levels. The ExPEC isolate LO122 reached similar levels of invasion to the positive control strain Salmonella Typhimurium LT2. These results showed that the apparently commensal microbiota of poultry harbors MDR ExPEC isolates with high adhesion and invasion potential. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 14/14494-8 - Molecular epidemiology of gram-negative bacteria and genetic of antibiotic resistance
• Grantee: Ana Lúcia da Costa Darini
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 17/00620-0 - Evaluation of the vaccine potential of recombinant proteins for protection against Salmonella enterica and the use of avian (Gallus gallus) cytokines as adjuvants and imunotherapics
• Grantee: Rafael Antonio Casarin Penha Filho
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Young Researchers