Stefano Raimondi (Author), Lucia Righini (Author), Francesco Candeliere (Author), Eliana Musmeci (Author), Francesca Bonvicini (Author), Giovanna Gentilomi (Author), Marjanca Starčič Erjavec (Author), Alberto Amaretti (Author), Maddalena Rossi (Author)

Abstract

Escherichia coli may innocuously colonize the intestine of healthy subjects or may instigate infections in the gut or in other districts. This study investigated intestinal E. coli isolated from 20 healthy adults. Fifty-one strains were genotyped by molecular fingerprinting and analyzed for genetic and phenotypic traits, encompassing the profile of antibiotic resistance, biofilm production, the presence of surface structures (such as curli and cellulose), and their performance as recipients in conjugation experiments. A phylogroup classification and analysis of 34 virulence determinants, together with genes associated to the pks island (polyketide-peptide genotoxin colibactin) and conjugative elements, was performed. Most of the strains belonged to the phylogroups B1 and B2. The different phylogroups were separated in a principal coordinate space, considering both genetic and functional features, but not considering pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. Within the B2 and F strains, 12 shared the pattern of virulence genes with potential uropathogens. Forty-nine strains were sensitive to all the tested antibiotics. Strains similar to the potential pathogens innocuously inhabited the gut of healthy subjects. However, they may potentially act as etiologic agents of extra-intestinal infections and are susceptible to a wide range of antibiotics. Nevertheless, there is still the possibility to control infections with antibiotic therapy.

Keywords

Escherichia coli;typing;gut microbiota;PFGE;pulsed-feld gel electrophoresis;virulence;antibiotic resistance;conjugation;curli;co-occurrence;

Data

Language: English
Year of publishing:
Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
Organization: UL BF - Biotechnical Faculty
UDC: 579
COBISS: 5151311 Link will open in a new window
ISSN: 2076-2607
Views: 164
Downloads: 55
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Other data

Type (COBISS): Article
Pages: str. 1-18
Volume: ǂVol. ǂ7
Issue: ǂiss. ǂ8
Chronology: 2019
DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms7080251
ID: 13805856