Ciprofloxacin-induced mucoviscosity in ESBL-positive Escherichia coli carrying the Klebsiella pneumoniae K23 capsular structure hinders phagocytosis

Author(s)

Esposito, Fernanda ; Sellera, Fabio P. ; Cardoso, Brenda ; Brandt-Almeida, Deborah ; Vargas-Otalora, Sandra ; Cifuentes, Sebastian ; Cortez, Mauro ; Lincopan, Nilton

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Microbial Pathogenesis; v. 199, p. 6-pg., 2024-12-11.

Abstract

Escherichia coli is a Gram-negative ubiquitous bacteria occurring in a diversity of environments including water, soil, and the gastrointestinal tract of humans and warm-blooded animals, being classified into commensal and pathogenic strains. While empirical antibiotic therapy with fluoroquinolones, such a ciprofloxacin and norfloxacin, has been a common practice, resistance to broad-spectrum cephalosporins, mediated by extended- spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs), has been alerted as a critical priority by the World Health Organization. Additionally, the convergence of virulence and resistance has been observed in some E. coli strains, which enable these bacteria to infect humans and animals, and can jeopardize their health. Mucoviscosity phenotype has been frequently described in highly-virulent Klebsiella pneumoniae strains, whereas this phenotypic behavior remains rarely reported in E. coli. Herein, we report microbiological, genomic, and anti-phagocytic activity of ciprofloxacin-induced mucoviscosity in a CTX-M-15 (ESBL)-positive E. coli. Noteworthy, genomic analysis revealed virulence genes responsible for the synthesis of the K23 capsule type, previously described in hypermucoviscous K. pneumoniae lineages, whereas phagocytosis assays confirmed the ability of K23 E. coli strain to evade the immune system under mucoviscosity induction by ciprofloxacin treatment. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 24/05757-7 - Mechanistic insights of the Leishmania molecules inducing macrophage-CD200 ligand: cellular phenotyping, signaling pathways involved and its application on inflammatory process during malignancies
• Grantee: Mauro Javier Cortez Véliz
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 19/15578-4 - Virulome and pathogenicity of carbapenem- and polymyxin-resistant priority pathogens
• Grantee: Fernanda Ribeiro dos Santos Esposito
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 20/13562-0 - Unveiling the role of the immune checkpoint ligand CD200 in the host infection by Leishmania spp.
• Grantee: Mauro Javier Cortez Véliz
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 20/08224-9 - OneBR (One Health Brazilian Resistance): integrated genomic database for surveillance, diagnosis, management and treatment of antimicrobial resistance in the human-animal-environment interface, in Brazil
• Grantee: Nilton Erbet Lincopan Huenuman
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants