Uropathogenic Escherichia coli strains harboring tosA gene were associated to high virulence genes and a multidrug-resistant profile. (September 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Xicohtencatl-Cortes, Juan; Cruz-Córdova, Ariadnna; Cázares-Domínguez, Vicenta; Escalona-Venegas, Gerardo; Zavala-Vega, Sergio; Arellano-Galindo, José; Romo-Castillo, Mariana; Hernández-Castro, Rigoberto; Ochoa, Sara A.; Luna-Pineda, Víctor M.
• Is Part Of: Microbial pathogenesis. Volume 134(2019)
• Publication Date: 2019-09
• Subjects: UPEC -- Resistance profiles -- TosA protein -- Phylogenetic group -- Virulence genes -- Cellular adherence; Pathogenic microorganisms -- Periodicals; Pathology, Molecular -- Periodicals; Communicable Diseases -- microbiology -- Periodicals; Communicable Diseases -- parasitology -- Periodicals; Micro-organismes pathogènes -- Périodiques; Pathologie moléculaire -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 616.9041
• DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2019.103593
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0882-4010

Abstract

Abstract: TosA, a putative repeats-in-toxin protein that has recently gained importance as an antigenic molecule, has characteristics of nonfimbrial adhesins and can act as a virulence marker in uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) strains; however, little is known about the association of this protein with antibiotic resistance profiles in UPEC tosA + clinical strains. The aim of this study was to evaluate UPEC tosA + strains, including examining genetic diversity, associations with phylogenetic groups, resistance profiles, virulence genes, adherence assays, integrons, and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase phenotypes. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis analysis grouped these strains into eight clusters with 62% genetic diversity. These strains were mainly associated with the multidrug-resistant profiles, together with an association with class 1 integron and the extended-spectrum beta-lactamase phenotype. Additionally, the strains exhibited a distribution of ≥96% for core-associated genes, while a variable distribution was identified for pathogenic islands-associated genes. Strong associations between UPEC tosA + strains and two phylogenetic groups (B2 and D) were identified, including resistance to β-lactam and non-β-lactam antibiotics. The UPEC tosA + clinical strains exhibited major adherence, which was related to the fitness and virulence genes. A recombinant TosA protein reacted with antibodies from the sera of urinary tract infection patients, and anti-recombinant TosA polyclonal antibodies also detected TosA expression in these strains. In conclusion, strains of UPEC tosA + belonging to phylogenetic group B2 had a high frequency of fitness and virulence genes associated with class 1 integrons and the extended-spectrum beta-lactamase phenotype, which exhibited a high adherence profile. The TosA protein is expressed during infection with UPEC and is considered an immunogenic molecule. Highlights: The UPEC tosA + have a high genic diversity associated to B2 phylogenetic groups. The UPEC tosA + were associated with MDR profile ( intl 1 and ESBL phenotype). A higher number of virulence genes, the UPEC tosA + are more adherent. The TosA protein is expressed in the UPEC tosA + clinical strains. The TosA protein was immune detected using sera from pediatric patients with UTI.