Intestinal Colonization Traits of Pandemic Multidrug-Resistant Escherichia coli ST131
The Journal of infectious diseases, 2018•academic.oup.com
Background Epidemiological studies point to the gut as a key reservoir of multidrug resistant
Escherichia coli multilocus sequence type 131 (ST131), a globally dominant pathogenic
clone causing urinary tract and bloodstream infections. Here we report a detailed
investigation of its intestinal lifestyle. Methods Clinical ST131 isolates and type 1 fimbriae
null mutants were assessed for colonization of human intestinal epithelia and in mouse
intestinal colonization models. Mouse gut tissue underwent histologic analysis for pathology …
Escherichia coli multilocus sequence type 131 (ST131), a globally dominant pathogenic
clone causing urinary tract and bloodstream infections. Here we report a detailed
investigation of its intestinal lifestyle. Methods Clinical ST131 isolates and type 1 fimbriae
null mutants were assessed for colonization of human intestinal epithelia and in mouse
intestinal colonization models. Mouse gut tissue underwent histologic analysis for pathology …
Background
Epidemiological studies point to the gut as a key reservoir of multidrug resistant Escherichia coli multilocus sequence type 131 (ST131), a globally dominant pathogenic clone causing urinary tract and bloodstream infections. Here we report a detailed investigation of its intestinal lifestyle.
Methods
Clinical ST131 isolates and type 1 fimbriae null mutants were assessed for colonization of human intestinal epithelia and in mouse intestinal colonization models. Mouse gut tissue underwent histologic analysis for pathology and ST131 localization. Key findings were corroborated in mucus-producing human cell lines and intestinal biopsy specimens.
Results
ST131 strains adhered to and invaded human intestinal epithelial cells more than probiotic and commensal strains. The reference ST131 strain EC958 established persistent intestinal colonization in mice, and expression of type 1 fimbriae mediated higher colonization levels. Bacterial loads were highest in the distal parts of the mouse intestine and did not cause any obvious pathology. Further analysis revealed that EC958 could bind to both mucus and underlying human intestinal epithelia.
Conclusions
ST131 strains can efficiently colonize the mammalian gut and persist long term. Type 1 fimbriae enhance ST131 intestinal colonization, suggesting that mannosides, currently developed as therapeutics for bladder infections and Crohn’s disease, could also be used to limit intestinal ST131 reservoirs.
Oxford University Press