Virulence behavior of uropathogenic Escherichia coli strains in the host model Caenorhabditis elegans. Issue 6 (31st October 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Schifano, Emily; Marazzato, Massimiliano; Ammendolia, Maria Grazia; Zanni, Elena; Ricci, Marta; Comanducci, Antonella; Goldoni, Paola; Conte, Maria Pia; Uccelletti, Daniela; Longhi, Catia
• Is Part Of: MicrobiologyOpen. Volume 8:Issue 6(2019)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2018-10-31
• Subjects: Caenorhabditis elegans -- Escherichia coli -- oxidative stress -- urinary tract infections -- uropathogenic strains; Microbiology -- Periodicals; 579
• DOI: 10.1002/mbo3.756
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2045-8827

Abstract

Abstract: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most common bacterial infections in humans. Although a number of bacteria can cause UTIs, most cases are due to infection by uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC). UPEC are a genetically heterogeneous group that exhibit several virulence factors associated with colonization and persistence of bacteria in the urinary tract. Caenorhabditis elegans is a tiny, free‐living nematode found worldwide. Because many biological pathways are conserved in C. elegans and humans, the nematode has been increasingly used as a model organism to study virulence mechanisms of microbial infections and innate immunity. The virulence of UPEC strains, characterized for antimicrobial resistance, pathogenicity‐related genes associated with virulence and phylogenetic group belonging was evaluated by measuring the survival of C. elegans exposed to pure cultures of these strains. Our results showed that urinary strains can kill the nematode and that the clinical isolate ECP110 was able to efficiently colonize the gut and to inhibit the host oxidative response to infection. Our data support that C. elegans, a free‐living nematode found worldwide, could serve as an in vivo model to distinguish, among uropathogenic E. coli, different virulence behavior. Abstract : Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) are a genetically heterogeneous group associated with colonization and persistence of bacteria in the urinary tract. Two UPEC strains were characterized for antimicrobial resistance, pathogenicity‐related genes associated with virulence and phylogenetic group belonging. The impact of these isolates was evaluated in vivo by measuring the survival of Caenorhabditis elegans . One of them was able to efficiently colonize the gut and to inhibit the host oxidative response to infection.