title: Correlation between in vivo biofilm formation and virulence gene expression in Escherichia coli O104:H4.
abstract: The emergence of novel pathogens poses a major public health threat causing widespread epidemics in susceptible populations. The Escherichia coli O104:H4 strain implicated in a 2011 outbreak in northern Germany caused the highest frequency of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) and death ever recorded in a single E. coli outbreak. Therefore, it has been suggested that this strain is more virulent than other pathogenic E. coli (e.g., E. coli O157:H7). The E. coli O104:H4 outbreak strain possesses multiple virulence factors from both Shiga toxin (Stx)-producing E. coli (STEC) and enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC), though the mechanism of pathogenesis is not known. Here, we demonstrate that E. coli O104:H4 produces a stable biofilm in vitro and that in vivo virulence gene expression is highest when E. coli O104:H4 overexpresses genes required for aggregation and exopolysaccharide production, a characteristic of bacterial cells residing within an established biofilm. Interrupting exopolysaccharide production and biofilm formation may therefore represent effective strategies for combating future E. coli O104:H4 infections.
authors: Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America.
authors: Rim
authors: R
authors: Al Safadi
authors: Galeb S
authors: GS
authors: Abu-Ali
authors: Rudolph E
authors: RE
authors: Sloup
authors: James T
authors: JT
authors: Rudrik
authors: Christopher M
authors: CM
authors: Waters
authors: Kathryn A
authors: KA
authors: Eaton
authors: Shannon D
authors: SD
authors: Manning
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018441:Biofilms / Q000254:growth & development*; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000472:pathogenicity / Q000502:physiology*; D019453:Escherichia coli O157 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000472:pathogenicity / Q000502:physiology; D015964:Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial; D007668:Kidney / Q000382:microbiology; D051379:Mice; D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial / Q000096:biosynthesis; D013045:Species Specificity
chemical_list: D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial