P fimbriae, capsule and aerobactin characterize colonic resident Escherichia coli.
Resident and transient Escherichia coli strains from the colonic microflora of 13 Swedish schoolgirls were analysed for carriage of genes encoding a range of adhesins (P, type 1 and S fimbriae, Dr haemagglutinin and three varieties of the P fimbrial papG adhesin) and other virulence traits (K1 and K5 capsule, haemolysin and aerobactin) using multiplex PCR. Forty-four percent of the resident clones carried genes for P fimbriae, K1 or K5 capsule, and aerobactin, compared with only 3% of transient clones (P < 0.0001). The P-fimbriated clones most often had the class II variety of the P-fimbrial adhesin gene papG and this adhesin was significantly associated with persistence of a strain. S fimbriae and type 1 fimbriae were equally common in resident and transient strains. The results indicate that not only P fimbriae, but also, certain capsules and the ability to produce the siderophore aerobactin might contribute to persistence of E. coli in the large intestine.
Nowrouzian
F
F
Department of Clinical Immunology, Göteborg University, Sweden.
Adlerberth
I
I
Wold
A E
AE
D018830:Adhesins, Escherichia coli / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D016667:Bacterial Capsules / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D001483:Base Sequence; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000235:genetics* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D005260:Female; D010861:Fimbriae, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D005784:Gene Amplification; D006388:Hemagglutinins / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D006877:Hydroxamic Acids / Q000378:metabolism; D007420:Intestine, Large / Q000382:microbiology; D010641:Phenotype; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012007:Rectum / Q000382:microbiology; D012703:Serotyping; D013548:Sweden; D014774:Virulence
D018830:Adhesins, Escherichia coli; D006388:Hemagglutinins; D006877:Hydroxamic Acids; C031819:aerobactin