Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli in Venda, South Africa: distribution of virulence-related genes by multiplex polymerase chain reaction in stool samples of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive and HIV-negative individuals and primary school children.
We used a multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and a quantitative real-time PCR to determine the distribution of three enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC) virulence-related genes in stool samples from hospital patients and school children in the Venda region of South Africa. At least one gene was found in 52 (16.5%) samples, 50 (19.6%) from hospitals and 2 (3%) from schools. The AA probe was found in 36 (69%), the aggR gene was found in 41 (79%), and the aap gene was found in 49 (94%) of all positive samples. EAEC was significantly associated with diarrhea and intestinal inflammation and was significantly higher (chi(2) = 5.360, P = 0.021) in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive persons (29.5%) than in HIV-negative persons (13.7%). The presence of EAEC genes was significantly associated with occult blood (chi(2) = 30.543, P < 0.0001) in the stool samples. This study suggests that the clinical presentation of EAEC infection may be directly related to the bacterial load as well as to the genetic characteristics of the strains involved.
Samie
Amidou
A
Department of Microbiology, University of Venda, Thohoyandou, South Africa. samieamidou@yahoo.com
Obi
Chikwelu Larry
CL
Dillingham
Rebecca
R
Pinkerton
Relana C
RC
Guerrant
Richard L
RL
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012574:Schools; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000235:genetics; D014774:Virulence
C088603:AggR protein, E coli; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins; D015534:Trans-Activators