Variation in endogenous oxidative stress in Escherichia coli natural isolates during growth in urine.
BACKGROUND
Uropathogenic strains of Escherichia coli cause symptomatic infections whereas asymptomatic bacteriuria (ABU) strains are well adapted for growth in the human urinary tract, where they establish long-term bacteriuria. Human urine is a very complex growth medium that could be perceived by certain bacteria as a stressful environment. To investigate a possible imbalance between endogenous oxidative response and antioxidant mechanisms, lipid oxidative damage estimated as thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) content was evaluated in twenty-one E. coli belonging to various pathovars and phylogenetic groups. Antioxidant defense mechanisms were also analysed.


RESULTS
During exponential growth in urine, TBARS level differs between strains, without correlation with the ability to grow in urine which was similarly limited for commensal, ABU and uropathogenic strains. In addition, no correlation between TBARS level and the phylogroup or pathogenic group is apparent. The growth of ABU strain 83972 was associated with a high level of TBARS and more active antioxidant defenses that reduce the imbalance.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results indicate that growth capacity in urine is not a property of ABU strains. However, E. coli isolates respond very differently to this stressful environment. In strain ABU 83972, on one hand, the increased level of endogenous reactive oxygen species may be responsible for adaptive mutations. On the other hand, a more active antioxidant defense system could increase the capacity to colonize the bladder.
UMR 722 INSERM and Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Site Xavier Bichat, Paris, France.
Cecile
C
Aubron
Jeremy
J
Glodt
Corine
C
Matar
Olivier
O
Huet
Didier
D
Borderie
Ulrich
U
Dobrindt
Jacques
J
Duranteau
Erick
E
Denamur
Marc
M
Conti
Odile
O
Bouvet
D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000737:chemistry / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances / Q000032:analysis; D014556:Urine / Q000382:microbiology*
D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances