ena-STUDY-RIVM - National Institute for Public Health and the Environment-22-08-2018-08:58:00:507-104
Comparative genomics of stx2f-carrying Escherchia coli
The occurrence of stx2f-carrying Escherchia coli in pigeons as well as in humans is suggestive for these birds being a zoonotic reservoir for human infection. Whole-genome-characterization and strain comparison of stx2f-carrying E. coli from pigeons and humans from the Netherlands revealed that pigeon and human isolates largely form distinct populations. Therefore, pigeons should not be regarded as the main source of stx2f-carrying E. coli in humans.
The occurrence of stx2f-carrying Escherchia coli in pigeons as well as in humans is suggestive for these birds being a zoonotic reservoir for human infection. Whole-genome-characterization and strain comparison of stx2f-carrying E. coli from pigeons and humans from the Netherlands revealed that pigeon and human isolates largely form distinct populations. Therefore, pigeons should not be regarded as the main source of stx2f-carrying E. coli in humans.