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.

Antibiotic Resistance, Virulence Factors, Phenotyping, and Genotyping of E. coli Isolated from the Feces of Healthy Subjects / Raimondi, S; Righini, L; Candeliere, F; Musmeci, Eliana; Bonvicini, F; Gentilomi, G; STARCIC ERJAVEC, Marjanca; Amaretti, A; Rossi, M. - In: MICROORGANISMS. - ISSN 2076-2607. - 7:8(2019), pp. 1-18. [10.3390/microorganisms7080251]

Antibiotic Resistance, Virulence Factors, Phenotyping, and Genotyping of E. coli Isolated from the Feces of Healthy Subjects

Raimondi S;Righini L;Candeliere F;Musmeci, Eliana;Bonvicini F;STARCIC ERJAVEC, MARJANCA;Amaretti A;Rossi M
2019

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.
2019
7
8
1
18
Antibiotic Resistance, Virulence Factors, Phenotyping, and Genotyping of E. coli Isolated from the Feces of Healthy Subjects / Raimondi, S; Righini, L; Candeliere, F; Musmeci, Eliana; Bonvicini, F; Gentilomi, G; STARCIC ERJAVEC, Marjanca; Amaretti, A; Rossi, M. - In: MICROORGANISMS. - ISSN 2076-2607. - 7:8(2019), pp. 1-18. [10.3390/microorganisms7080251]
Raimondi, S; Righini, L; Candeliere, F; Musmeci, Eliana; Bonvicini, F; Gentilomi, G; STARCIC ERJAVEC, Marjanca; Amaretti, A; Rossi, M
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
microorganisms-07-00251 (1).pdf

Open access

Tipologia: Versione pubblicata dall'editore
Dimensione 3.26 MB
Formato Adobe PDF
3.26 MB Adobe PDF Visualizza/Apri
Pubblicazioni consigliate

Licenza Creative Commons
I metadati presenti in IRIS UNIMORE sono rilasciati con licenza Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal, mentre i file delle pubblicazioni sono rilasciati con licenza Attribuzione 4.0 Internazionale (CC BY 4.0), salvo diversa indicazione.
In caso di violazione di copyright, contattare Supporto Iris

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11380/1179986
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? 17
  • Scopus 33
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 27
social impact