Characterization of hemolytic Escherichia coli strains in ferrets: recognition of candidate virulence factor CNF1.
Diseases associated with Escherichia coli infection are the subject of renewed interest due to emerging conditions such as hemolytic uremia syndrome. A collection of 15 strains of beta-hemolytic E. coli was isolated from diarrheic feces and diseased tissues of ferrets. All 15 strains were positive in specific PCR assays for the presence of hlyA, pap1, and cnf1. Seven of the cnf1-positive isolates were tested and shown to have a cytopathic effect on HeLa cell monolayers. The pathogenesis of these strains warrants future study.
Marini
Robert P
RP
Division of Comparative Medicine, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
Taylor
Nancy S
NS
Liang
Alvin Y
AY
Knox
Kimberly A
KA
Peña
Jeremy Andrew
JA
Schauer
David B
DB
Fox
James G
JG
D000818:Animals; D001427:Bacterial Toxins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D003967:Diarrhea; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000235:genetics / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005289:Ferrets / Q000382:microbiology*; D005838:Genotype; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006460:Hemolysin Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D000073718:Pancreatitis-Associated Proteins; D012703:Serotyping; D037521:Virulence Factors / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins; D006460:Hemolysin Proteins; D000073718:Pancreatitis-Associated Proteins; C000612141:REG3A protein, human; D037521:Virulence Factors; C060296:cytotoxic necrotizing factor type 1