title: Differences in extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producing Escherichia coli virulence factor genes in the Baltic Sea region.
abstract: The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence of different virulence factor (VF) genes in extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing Escherichia coli strains isolated from the Baltic Sea region. A total of 432 strains of phenotypically ESBL positive E. coli were collected from 20 institutions located in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and the region of St. Petersburg in Russia from January to May 2012 and analyzed for phylogenetic group and prevalence of 23 VF genes. The strains were collected from clinical material (urine, blood, wound, and respiratory tract). Bacterial isolates were compared according to phylogenetic group, clinical material, and geographical origin. Most of the VF genes were concentrated within phylogenetic group B2 and/or D. When comparing strains isolated from different countries, it was found that strains originating from Estonia and Latvia belonged mainly to group B2 and strains from Lithuania and Russia mainly to groups B2 and D. The P-fimbrial adhesin gene papEF was more prevalent in Russian strains, colicin gene cvaC in Lithuanian strains, and capsular gene kpsMTII in Latvian strains; serum resistant gene traT was less prevalent in Estonian strains. The regional differences of VF genes remained statistically significant after taking into account the phylogenetic distribution in the countries.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, University of Tartu, Ravila Street 19, 50411 Tartu, Estonia.
authors.forename: Jana
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-9601-5033
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lillo
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, University of Tartu, Ravila Street 19, 50411 Tartu, Estonia.
authors.forename: Kristiine
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-2597-3813
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Pai
authors.affiliation: Riga Stradiņš University, 16 Dzirciema Street, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia.
authors.forename: Arta
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Balode
authors.affiliation: St. Petersburg Pasteur Institute, Ul Mira 14, St. Petersburg 197101, Russia.
authors.forename: Mariia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Makarova
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, University of Tartu, Ravila Street 19, 50411 Tartu, Estonia.
authors.forename: Kristi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Huik
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, University of Tartu, Ravila Street 19, 50411 Tartu, Estonia.
authors.forename: Siiri
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kõljalg
authors.affiliation: East-Tallinn Central Hospital, Ravi 18, 10138 Tallinn, Estonia.
authors.forename: Marina
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-7772-6246
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ivanova
authors.affiliation: St. Petersburg Pasteur Institute, Ul Mira 14, St. Petersburg 197101, Russia.
authors.forename: Lidia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kaftyreva
authors.affiliation: Vilnius City Clinical Hospital, Antakalnio Street 57, LT-10007 Vilnius, Lithuania.
authors.forename: Jolanta
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Miciuleviciene
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, University of Tartu, Ravila Street 19, 50411 Tartu, Estonia ; Quattromed HTI Laboratories, Väike-Paala 1, 11415 Tallinn, Estonia.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Naaber
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, University of Tartu, Ravila Street 19, 50411 Tartu, Estonia.
authors.forename: Kristel
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-1238-9338
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Parv
authors.affiliation: East-Tallinn Central Hospital, Ravi 18, 10138 Tallinn, Estonia.
authors.forename: Anastasia
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-1234-7349
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pavelkovich
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, University of Tartu, Ravila Street 19, 50411 Tartu, Estonia.
authors.forename: Tiiu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Rööp
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, University of Tartu, Ravila Street 19, 50411 Tartu, Estonia.
authors.forename: Karolin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Toompere
authors.affiliation: St. Petersburg Pasteur Institute, Ul Mira 14, St. Petersburg 197101, Russia.
authors.forename: Ludmila
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Suzhaeva
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, University of Tartu, Ravila Street 19, 50411 Tartu, Estonia.
authors.forename: Epp
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sepp
mesh_terms: D001427:Bacterial Toxins / Q000235:genetics*; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000145:classification* / Q000502:physiology*; D005798:Genes, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D009792:Oceans and Seas; D013045:Species Specificity; D037521:Virulence Factors / Q000235:genetics*; D014871:Water Microbiology; D001618:beta-Lactamases / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D037521:Virulence Factors; D001618:beta-Lactamases