title: Multilocus Sequence Typing and Virulence Profiles in Uropathogenic Escherichia coli Isolated from Cats in the United States.
abstract: The population structure, virulence, and antimicrobial resistance of uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) from cats are rarely characterized. The aim of this study was to compare and characterize the UPEC isolated from cats in four geographic regions of USA in terms of their multilocus sequence typing (MLST), virulence profiles, clinical signs, antimicrobial resistance and phylogenetic grouping. The results showed that a total of 74 E. coli isolates were typed to 40 sequence types with 10 being novel. The most frequent phylogenetic group was B2 (n = 57). The most frequent sequence types were ST73 (n = 12) and ST83 (n = 6), ST73 was represented by four multidrug resistant (MDR) and eight non-multidrug resistant (SDR) isolates, and ST83 were significantly more likely to exhibit no drug resistant (NDR) isolates carrying the highest number of virulence genes. Additionally, MDR isolates were more diverse, and followed by SDR and NDR isolates in regards to the distribution of the STs. afa/draBC was the most prevalent among the 29 virulence-associated genes. Linking virulence profile and antimicrobial resistance, the majority of virulence-associated genes tested were more prevalent in NDR isolates, and followed by SDR and MDR isolates. Twenty (50%) MLST types in this study have previously been associated with human isolates, suggesting that these STs are potentially zoonotic. Our data enhanced the understanding of E. coli population structure and virulence association from cats. The diverse and various combinations of virulence-associated genes implied that the infection control may be challenging.
authors.affiliation: College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China.
authors.forename: Xiaoqiang
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama 36849, United States of America.
authors.forename: Kamoltip
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Thungrat
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama 36849, United States of America.
authors.forename: Dawn M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Boothe
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats / Q000382:microbiology*; D017931:DNA Primers; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial; D024901:Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary; D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D005843:Geography; D006801:Humans; D016013:Likelihood Functions; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D058885:Multilocus Sequence Typing; D010802:Phylogeny; D015995:Prevalence; D014481:United States; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary; D056689:Uropathogenic Escherichia coli / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D014774:Virulence / Q000235:genetics; D037521:Virulence Factors / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D017931:DNA Primers; D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins; D037521:Virulence Factors