Mutator phenotype confers advantage in Escherichia coli chronic urinary tract infection pathogenesis.
It has been suggested that mutator phenotype could be associated with an increase in virulence, but to date experimental evidences are lacking. Epidemiological studies have revealed that urinary tract infection isolates encompass the highest proportion of mutator strains within the Escherichia coli species. Using the uropathogenic strain CFT073 and its mutS- mutator mutant, we show that the mutator strain is selected in vitro in urine and in the late stages of infection in a mouse model having urinary tract infection. Thus, we report that, under specific conditions, i.e., urinary tract infection, the mutator phenotype may confer an advantage in pathogenesis.
Labat
Francoise
F
INSERM E0339, Faculté de Médecine Xavier Bichat, Université Paris 7, 16 rue Henri Huchard, 75018 Paris, France.
Pradillon
Olivier
O
Garry
Louis
L
Peuchmaur
Michel
M
Fantin
Bruno
B
Denamur
Erick
E
D000818:Animals; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000472:pathogenicity; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000382:microbiology*; D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D051379:Mice; D008808:Mice, Inbred CBA; D051719:MutS DNA Mismatch-Binding Protein / Q000235:genetics; D010641:Phenotype; D017354:Point Mutation; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000382:microbiology*; D014774:Virulence / Q000235:genetics
D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins; D051719:MutS DNA Mismatch-Binding Protein