The aggregate-forming pili (AFP) mediates the aggregative adherence of a hybrid-pathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC/EAEC) isolated from a urinary tract infection

Author(s)

Schueroff, Paulo A. ^{[1, 2]} ; Salvador, Fabia A. ^[3] ; Abe, Cecilia M. ^[1] ; Wami, Haleluya T. ^[2] ; Carvalho, Eneas ^[1] ; Hernandes, Rodrigo T. ^[4] ; Dobrindt, Ulrich ^[2] ; Gomes, Tania A. T. ^[3] ; Elias, Waldir P. ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Inst Butantan, Lab Bacteriol, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Univ Munster, Inst Hyg, Munster - Germany

^[3] Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Microbiol Imunol & Parasitol, Escola Paulista Med, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[4] Univ Estadual Paulista UNESP, Inst Biociencias, Botucatu, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: VIRULENCE; v. 12, n. 1, p. 3073-3093, DEC 31 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Enteroaggregative Escherichia coil (EAEC) comprises an important diarrheagenic pathotype, while uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) is the most important agent of urinary tract infection (UTI). Recently, EAEC virulence factors have been detected in E. coli strains causing UTI, showing the importance of these hybrid-pathogenic strains. Previously, we detected an E. coli strain isolated from UTI (UPEC-46) presenting characteristics of EAEC, e.g., the aggregative adherence (AA) pattern and EAEC-associated genes (aatA, aap, and pet). In this current study, we analyzed the whole genomic sequence of UPEC-46 and characterized some phenotypic traits. The AA phenotype was observed in cell lineages of urinary and intestinal origin. The production of curli, cellulose, bacteriocins, and Pet toxin was detected. Additionally, UPEC-46 was not capable of forming biofilm using different culture media and human urine. The genome sequence analysis showed that this strain belongs to serotype O166:H12, ST10, and phylogroup A, harbors the tet, aadA, and dfrA/sul resistance genes, and is phylogenetically more related to EAEC strains isolated from human feces. UPEC-46 harbors three plasmids. Plasmid p46-1 (similar to 135 kb) carries some EAEC marker genes and those encoding the aggregate-forming pill (AFP) and its regulator (afpR). A mutation in afpA (encoding the AFP major pilin) led to the loss of pilin production and assembly, and notably, a strongly reduced adhesion to epithelial cells. In summary, the genetic background and phenotypic traits analyzed suggest that UPEC-46 is a hybrid strain (UPEC/EAEC) and highlights the importance of AFP adhesin in the adherence to colorectal and bladder cell lines. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 18/06610-9 - Pathogenicity of Escherichia coli strains that share characteristics of enteroaggregative and uropathogenic categories
• Grantee: Waldir Pereira Elias Junior
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 18/04144-0 - Development of new diagnostic options for Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli as an important diarrheal pathogen
• Grantee: Waldir Pereira Elias Junior
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants