scholarly journals Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli: diagnosis, virulence and prevention.

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 21-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maja Velhner ◽  
Ljiljana Suvajdžić ◽  
Dalibor Todorović ◽  
Dubravka Milanov ◽  
Gordana Kozoderović
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Management Practice ◽  
Disease Process ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Avian Pathogenic Escherichia Coli ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Pathogenic Escherichia Coli ◽  
Good Management Practice ◽  
Resistant Strains

Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) causes colibacillosis within poultry flocks all around the world. There is a number of virulence mechanisms involved in the disease process in poultry and determination of some of the responsible genes is important for diagnosis of colibacillosis. In this work, research data regarding diagnostics of APEC and how certain clonal lineages could cause infection in different hosts is presented. In order to determine virulence genotype of APEC, multiplex polymerase chain reaction, based on a published sequence of seven pairs of primers (iroN, ompT, hlyF, iss, iutA, elitC and cvaC), was used in our laboratory. It was established in the research of other scientists that isolates with two or more of these genes can develop pathogenic phenotype, while isolates with one or none of the genes are mostly commensal E. coli. Additionally, virulence mechanisms in APEC were also briefly described. It was emphasized that resistance genes and virulence genes are sometimes co-located on the same plasmid and that such plasmids could be shared among related or unrelated bacteria species. Since APEC often confers resistance to antibiotics, the therapy is less effective in poultry with multidrug resistant strains. It was concluded that good management practice, treatment with probiotics and/or vaccination are necessary to reduce colibacillosis outbreaks. This approach is even more pronounced since APEC resides in intestine of healthy poultry and could cause disease if poultry is exposed to various stressors.

scholarly journals Characterization and antimicrobial resistance patterns of Escherichia coli isolated from feces of healthy broiler chickens

2016 ◽  
Vol 83 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ariel Eurides Stella ◽  
Maria Cristina De Oliveira ◽  
Vera Lúcia Dias da Silva Fontana ◽  
Renato Paris Maluta ◽  
Clarissa Araújo Borges ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Broiler Chickens ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Avian Pathogenic Escherichia Coli ◽  
E Coli ◽  
The Past ◽  
Pathogenic Escherichia Coli ◽  
Resistance Patterns ◽  
Resistant Strains ◽  
Polymerase Chain

ABSTRACT: Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) strains are isolated from lesions of poultry presenting colibacillosis, which is a disease that causes either systemic or localized clinical signs. Such strains share many characteristics with E. coli strains that cause extra-intestinal illness in humans. There is not a consensus on how to define the APEC pathotype with regard to the presence of virulence traits. On the other hand, in the past few years, five minimal predictors for APEC detection were proposed. The E. coli isolates in this work were tested through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to the five proposed minimal predictors and cva C. The strains presenting them were categorized as potential APEC. The APEC and non-APEC categories showed high resistance (> 50%) to cephalotin, erythromycin, streptomycin, sulphametoxazol/trimethoprim, ampicillin, and amoxicillin. Potential APEC strains were significantly more resistant to cephalotin (p < 0.05) and neomcycin (p < 0.01) than non-APEC. These latter were significantly more resistant to tetracycline (p < 0.01) than the potential APEC strains. These results demonstrate that feces of poultry present E. coli strains with resistant features, showing or not the potential of causing colibacillosis in poultry. Because APEC and extra-intestinal illness in humans may be similar, these resistant strains are of interest to public health.

scholarly journals Multidrug-Resistant Avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli Strains and Association of Their Virulence Genes in Bangladesh

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (8) ◽  
pp. 1135
Author(s):  
Otun Saha ◽  
M. Nazmul Hoque ◽  
Ovinu Kibria Islam ◽  
Md. Mizanur Rahaman ◽  
Munawar Sultana ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Virulence Genes ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Avian Pathogenic Escherichia Coli ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Molecular Approaches ◽  
Clade B ◽  
Pathogenic Escherichia Coli ◽  
Resistance Patterns

The avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) strains are the chief etiology of colibacillosis worldwide. The present study investigated the circulating phylotypes, existence of virulence genes (VGs), and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in 392 APEC isolates, obtained from 130 samples belonged to six farms using both phenotypic and PCR-based molecular approaches. Congo red binding (CRB) assay confirmed 174 APEC isolates which were segregated into ten, nine, and eight distinct genotypes by RAPD assay (discriminatory index, DI = 0.8707), BOX-PCR (DI = 0.8591) and ERIC-PCR (DI = 0.8371), respectively. The combination of three phylogenetic markers (chuA, yjaA and DNA fragment TspE4.C2) classified APEC isolates into B23 (37.36%), A1 (33.91%), D2 (11.49%), B22 (9.20%), and B1 (8.05%) phylotypes. Majority of the APEC isolates (75–100%) harbored VGs (ial, fimH, crl, papC, and cjrC). These VGs (papC and cjrC) and phylotypes (D2 and B2) of APEC had significant (p = 0.004) association with colibacillosis. Phylogenetic analysis showed two distinct clades (clade A and clade B) of APEC, where clade A had 98–100% similarity with E. coli APEC O78 and E. coli EHEC strains, and clade B had closest relationship with E. coli O169:H41 strain. Interestingly, phylogroups B2 and D2 were found in the APEC strains of both clades, while the strains from phylogroups A1 and B1 were found in clade A only. In this study, 81.71% of the isolates were biofilm formers, and possessed plasmids of varying ranges (1.0 to 54 kb). In vitro antibiogram profiling revealed that 100% isolates were resistant to ≥3 antibiotics, of which 61.96%, 55.24%, 53.85%, 51.16% and 45.58% isolates in phylotypes B1, D2, B22, B23, and A1, respectively, were resistant to these antimicrobials. The resistance patterns varied among different phylotypes, notably in phylotype B22, showing the highest resistance to ampicillin (90.91%), nalidixic acid (90.11%), tetracycline (83.72%), and nitrofurantoin (65.12%). Correspondence analysis also showed significant correlation among phylotypes with CRB (p = 0.008), biofilm formation (p = 0.02), drug resistance (p = 0.03), and VGs (p = 0.06). This report demonstrated that B2 and A1 phylotypes are dominantly circulating APEC phylotypes in Bangladesh; however, B2 and D2 are strongly associated with the pathogenicity. A high prevalence of antibiotic-resistant APEC strains from different phylotypes suggest the use of organic antimicrobial compounds, and/or metals, and the rotational use of antibiotics in poultry farms in Bangladesh.

The conserved portion of the putative virulence region contributes to virulence of avian pathogenic Escherichia coli

Microbiology ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 155 (2) ◽  
pp. 450-460 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelly A. Tivendale ◽  
Amir H. Noormohammadi ◽  
Joanne L. Allen ◽  
Glenn F. Browning
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Systemic Disease ◽  
Complete Sequence ◽  
Avian Pathogenic Escherichia Coli ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Aerosol Exposure ◽  
Pathogenic Escherichia Coli ◽  
Extraintestinal Disease ◽  
Virulent Phenotype

Colibacillosis is a common systemic disease of worldwide economic importance in poultry, caused by Escherichia coli. E. coli are normally found in the intestines of poultry, but some strains are able to cause extraintestinal disease. Plasmid pVM01 is essential for virulence in avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) strain E3 in chickens after aerosol exposure and contains the virulence-associated genes iucA, iss and tsh in distinct regions. The determination of the complete sequence of this plasmid identified many ORFs that were highly similar to genes found in the APEC O1 plasmid, as well as many hypothetical ORFs. Truncated versions of pVM01 were constructed and introduced into avirulent APEC strain E3/2.4 and the pathogenicity of these strains was assessed by aerosol exposure. The function of the region of pVM01 that contains the genes for conjugation was confirmed. Strains carrying the truncated plasmids appeared to be of intermediate virulence compared to the wild-type APEC strain E3. The conserved portion of the putative virulence region was found to contribute to the colonization of and generation of lesions in the air sacs. Both the conserved and variable portions of the putative virulence region were shown to contribute to the colonization of the trachea, but the variable portion of the putative virulence region was not required for the strain to confer a virulent phenotype. These results reveal that deletion of the conserved portion of the putative virulence region, but not the variable portion of the putative virulence region, is associated with a decrease in virulence of APEC.

scholarly journals Avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC): An Overview of Virulence and Pathogenesis Factors, Zoonotic Potential, and Control Strategies

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 467
Author(s):  
Dipak Kathayat ◽  
Dhanashree Lokesh ◽  
Sochina Ranjit ◽  
Gireesh Rajashekara
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Neonatal Meningitis ◽  
Clear Understanding ◽  
Zoonotic Potential ◽  
Secretion Systems ◽  
Avian Pathogenic Escherichia Coli ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Pathogenic Escherichia Coli ◽  
Tract Infections

Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) causes colibacillosis in avian species, and recent reports have suggested APEC as a potential foodborne zoonotic pathogen. Herein, we discuss the virulence and pathogenesis factors of APEC, review the zoonotic potential, provide the current status of antibiotic resistance and progress in vaccine development, and summarize the alternative control measures being investigated. In addition to the known virulence factors, several other factors including quorum sensing system, secretion systems, two-component systems, transcriptional regulators, and genes associated with metabolism also contribute to APEC pathogenesis. The clear understanding of these factors will help in developing new effective treatments. The APEC isolates (particularly belonging to ST95 and ST131 or O1, O2, and O18) have genetic similarities and commonalities in virulence genes with human uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) and neonatal meningitis E. coli (NMEC) and abilities to cause urinary tract infections and meningitis in humans. Therefore, the zoonotic potential of APEC cannot be undervalued. APEC resistance to almost all classes of antibiotics, including carbapenems, has been already reported. There is a need for an effective APEC vaccine that can provide protection against diverse APEC serotypes. Alternative therapies, especially the virulence inhibitors, can provide a novel solution with less likelihood of developing resistance.

scholarly journals Synergism of the Combination of Traditional Antibiotics and Novel Phenolic Compounds against Escherichia coli

Pathogens ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 811
Author(s):  
Md. Akil Hossain ◽  
Hae-Chul Park ◽  
Sung-Won Park ◽  
Seung-Chun Park ◽  
Min-Goo Seo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Rattus Norvegicus ◽  
Inhibitory Concentration ◽  
Epicatechin Gallate ◽  
Antibiotic Resistant ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Pathogenic Escherichia Coli ◽  
Resistant Strains ◽  
Novel Approaches ◽  
Rapid Emergence

Pathogenic Escherichia coli (E. coli)-associated infections are becoming difficult to treat because of the rapid emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains. Novel approaches are required to prevent the progression of resistance and to extend the lifespan of existing antibiotics. This study was designed to improve the effectiveness of traditional antibiotics against E. coli using a combination of the gallic acid (GA), hamamelitannin, epicatechin gallate, epigallocatechin, and epicatechin. The fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI) of each of the phenolic compound-antibiotic combinations against E. coli was ascertained. Considering the clinical significance and FICI, two combinations (hamamelitannin-erythromycin and GA-ampicillin) were evaluated for their impact on certain virulence factors of E. coli. Finally, the effects of hamamelitannin and GA on Rattus norvegicus (IEC-6) cell viability were investigated. The FICIs of the antibacterial combinations against E. coli were 0.281–1.008. The GA-ampicillin and hamamelitannin-erythromycin combinations more effectively prohibited the growth, biofilm viability, and swim and swarm motilities of E. coli than individual antibiotics. The concentration of hamamelitannin and GA required to reduce viability by 50% (IC50) in IEC-6 cells was 988.54 μM and 564.55 μM, correspondingly. GA-ampicillin and hamamelitannin-erythromycin may be potent combinations and promising candidates for eradicating pathogenic E. coli in humans and animals.

scholarly journals Intestine and Environment of the Chicken as Reservoirs for Extraintestinal Pathogenic Escherichia coli Strains with Zoonotic Potential

2008 ◽  
Vol 75 (1) ◽  
pp. 184-192 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christa Ewers ◽  
Esther-Maria Ant�o ◽  
Ines Diehl ◽  
Hans-C. Philipp ◽  
Lothar H. Wieler
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Virulence Gene ◽  
Infection Model ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Gene Profiles ◽  
Pathogenic Escherichia Coli ◽  
Zoonotic Risk ◽  
Resistant Strains ◽  
Genetic Pool

ABSTRACT Although research has increasingly focused on the pathogenesis of avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) infections and the “APEC pathotype” itself, little is known about the reservoirs of these bacteria. We therefore compared outbreak strains isolated from diseased chickens (n = 121) with nonoutbreak strains, including fecal E. coli strains from clinically healthy chickens (n = 211) and strains from their environment (n = 35) by determining their virulence gene profiles, phylogenetic backgrounds, responses to chicken serum, and in vivo pathogenicities in a chicken infection model. In general, by examining 46 different virulence-associated genes we were able to distinguish the three groups of avian strains, but some specific fecal and environmental isolates had a virulence gene profile that was indistinguishable from that determined for outbreak strains. In addition, a substantial number of phylogenetic EcoR group B2 strains, which are known to include potent human and animal extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC) strains, were identified among the APEC strains (44.5%) as well as among the fecal E. coli strains from clinically healthy chickens (23.2%). Comparably high percentages (79.2 to 89.3%) of serum-resistant strains were identified for all three groups of strains tested, bringing into question the usefulness of this phenotype as a principal marker for extraintestinal virulence. Intratracheal infection of 5-week-old chickens corroborated the pathogenicity of a number of nonoutbreak strains. Multilocus sequence typing data revealed that most strains that were virulent in chicken infection experiments belonged to sequence types that are almost exclusively associated with extraintestinal diseases not only in birds but also in humans, like septicemia, urinary tract infection, and newborn meningitis, supporting the hypothesis that not the ecohabitat but the phylogeny of E. coli strains determines virulence. These data provide strong evidence for an avian intestinal reservoir hypothesis which could be used to develop intestinal intervention strategies. These strains pose a zoonotic risk because either they could be transferred directly from birds to humans or they could serve as a genetic pool for ExPEC strains.

scholarly journals Resistência antimicrobiana e perfil plasmidial de Escherichia coli isolada de frangos de corte e poedeiras comerciais no Estado de Pernambuco

2012 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 405-410 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mércia R. Barros ◽  
Wanderley D, da Silveira ◽  
Janete M. de Araújo ◽  
Elizianne P. Costa ◽  
Andrea Alice da F. Oliveira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Avian Pathogenic Escherichia Coli ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Pathogenic Escherichia Coli

Embora existam linhagens de Escherichia coli não patogênicas para aves, muitas outras possuem a capacidade de causar sérios danos à saúde das mesmas, sendo capazes de ocasionar diferentes tipos de processos infecciosos. As linhagens patogênicas são denominadas Avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC), possuindo genes relacionados ao processo de patogênese em epissomos (plasmídios) ou no cromossomo. A presença de plasmídios, contendo genes de resistência a antibióticos em linhagens aviárias, patogênicas ou não, indicam a possibilidade de transferência gênica lateral entre diferentes tipos de linhagens facilitando também a transferência de genes de patogenicidade ou virulência. Objetivou-se com este estudo avaliar o perfil de sensibilidade a antibióticos (13) de diferentes amostras (35) de E. coli isoladas de aves comerciais do Estado de Pernambuco apresentando, ou não, sinais clínicos de processos infecciosos e correlacionar esta resistência com a presença de plasmídios. Os testes utilizados demonstraram que 94,28% dos isolados foram resistentes a três ou mais antibióticos, com a lincomicina apresentando o maior percentual de resistência (100%). Na Concentração Inibitória Mínima (CIM) observou-se multirresistência a vários antimicrobianos. A presença de plasmídios foi detecada em 80,0% (28/35) dos isolados, com 16 isolados apresentando plasmídios com peso molecular aproximado de 88 MDa. Também foi verificada a presença de linhagens apresentando plasmídios de vários tamanhos. Concluiu-se que isolados de E. coli resistentes a antimicrobianos utilizados na avicultura estão presentes no Estado de Pernambuco, tanto em frangos de corte quanto em poedeiras comerciais. A presença de plasmídios detectados na maioria dos isolados pode estar associada à resistência aos antimicrobianos e sugere a presença de possíveis genes relacionados à patogenicidade. Monitorar a resistência a antibióticos em bactérias isoladas de animais torna-se um fator determinante para eleição e êxito do tratamento, bem como a possibilidade de eliminação daquelas que possuem plasmídios para se evitar a transferência de genes relacionados à patogenicidade.

scholarly journals Specific Roles of the iroBCDEN Genes in Virulence of an Avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli O78 Strain and in Production of Salmochelins

2008 ◽  
Vol 76 (8) ◽  
pp. 3539-3549 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mélissa Caza ◽  
François Lépine ◽  
Sylvain Milot ◽  
Charles M. Dozois
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Respiratory Infections ◽  
Mass Spectrometry Analysis ◽  
Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Avian Pathogenic Escherichia Coli ◽  
Prevalence Studies ◽  
Spectrometry Analysis ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Pathogenic Escherichia Coli ◽  
Negative Mutant

ABSTRACT Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) strains are a subset of extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC) strains associated with respiratory infections and septicemia in poultry. The iroBCDEN genes encode the salmochelin siderophore system present in Salmonella enterica and some ExPEC strains. Roles of the iro genes for virulence in chickens and production of salmochelins were assessed by introducing plasmids carrying different combinations of iro genes into an attenuated salmochelin- and aerobactin-negative mutant of O78 strain χ7122. Complementation with the iroBCDEN genes resulted in a regaining of virulence, whereas the absence of iroC, iroDE, or iroN abrogated restoration of virulence. The iroE gene was not required for virulence, since introduction of iroBCDN restored the capacity to cause lesions and colonize extraintestinal tissues. Prevalence studies indicated that iro sequences were associated with virulent APEC strains. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of supernatants of APEC χ7122 and the complemented mutants indicated that (i) for χ7122, salmochelins comprised 14 to 27% of the siderophores present in iron-limited medium or infected tissues; (ii) complementation of the mutant with the iro locus increased levels of glucosylated dimers (S1 and S5) and monomer (SX) compared to APEC strain χ7122; (iii) the iroDE genes were important for generation of S1, S5, and SX; (iv) iroC was required for export of salmochelin trimers and dimers; and (v) iroB was required for generation of salmochelins. Overall, efficient glucosylation (IroB), transport (IroC and IroN), and processing (IroD and IroE) of salmochelins are required for APEC virulence, although IroE appears to serve an ancillary role.

scholarly journals Complete DNA Sequence of a ColBM Plasmid from Avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli Suggests that It Evolved from Closely Related ColV Virulence Plasmids

2006 ◽  
Vol 188 (16) ◽  
pp. 5975-5983 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy J. Johnson ◽  
Sara J. Johnson ◽  
Lisa K. Nolan
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Southern Blotting ◽  
Virulence Genes ◽  
Complete Sequence ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Avian Pathogenic Escherichia Coli ◽  
Prevalence Studies ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Virulence Plasmids ◽  
Pathogenic Escherichia Coli

ABSTRACT Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC), an extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli causing colibacillosis in birds, is responsible for significant economic losses for the poultry industry. Recently, we reported that the APEC pathotype was characterized by possession of a set of genes contained within a 94-kb cluster linked to a ColV plasmid, pAPEC-O2-ColV. These included sitABCD, genes of the aerobactin operon, hlyF, iss, genes of the salmochelin operon, and the 5′ end of cvaB of the ColV operon. However, the results of gene prevalence studies performed among APEC isolates revealed that these traits were not always linked to ColV plasmids. Here, we present the complete sequence of a 174-kb plasmid, pAPEC-O1-ColBM, which contains a putative virulence cluster similar to that of pAPEC-O2-ColV. These two F-type plasmids share remarkable similarity, except that they encode the production of different colicins; pAPEC-O2-ColV contains an intact ColV operon, and pAPEC-O1-ColBM encodes the colicins B and M. Interestingly, remnants of the ColV operon exist in pAPEC-O1-ColBM, hinting that ColBM-type plasmids may have evolved from ColV plasmids. Among APEC isolates, the prevalence of ColBM sequences helps account for the previously observed differences in prevalence between genes of the “conserved” portion of the putative virulence cluster of pAPEC-O2-ColV and those genes within its “variable” portion. These results, in conjunction with Southern blotting and probing of representative ColBM-positive strains, indicate that this “conserved” cluster of putative virulence genes is primarily linked to F-type virulence plasmids among the APEC isolates studied.

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