Use of virulence determinants and seropathotypes to distinguish high-and low-risk Escherichia coli O157 and non-O157 isolates from Europe

作者：Anjum M F^*; Jones E; Morrison V; Tozzoli R; Morabito S; Toth I; Nagy B; Smith G; Aspan A; Nielsen E M; Fach P; Herrera Leon S; Woodward M J; La Ragione R M

来源：Epidemiology and Infection, 2014, 142(5): 1019-1028.

DOI：10.1017/S0950268813001635

• Escherichia coli
• Europe
• verotoxigenic
• virulence

The presence of 10 virulence genes was examined using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in 365 European O157 and non-O157 Escherichia coli isolates associated with verotoxin production. Strain-specific PCR data were analysed using hierarchical clustering. The resulting dendrogram clearly separated O157 from non-O157 strains. The former clustered typical high-risk seropathotype (SPT) A strains from all regions, including Sweden and Spain, which were homogenous by Cramer%26apos;s V statistic, and strains with less typical O157 features mostly from Hungary. The non-O157 strains divided into a high-risk SPTB harbouring O26, O111 and O103 strains, a group pathogenic to pigs, and a group with few virulence genes other than for verotoxin. The data demonstrate SPT designation and selected PCR separated verotoxigenic E. coli of high and low risk to humans; although more virulence genes or pulsed-field gel electrophoresis will need to be included to separate high-risk strains further for epidemiological tracing.

• 出版日期2014-5