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Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli
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Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli

A special issue of Microorganisms (ISSN 2076-2607). This special issue belongs to the section "Gut Microbiota".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2019) | Viewed by 49387

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Rodney A. Moxley

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 1880 N. 42nd Street, Lincoln, NE 68583-0905, USA
Interests: Escherichia coli; Escherichia coli O157; STEC; EHEC; vaccination; pathogens; shiga toxin

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Globally, Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) is an important cause of illness with about half of the cases attributed to foodborne exposure. STEC infection results in a spectrum of illnesses, namely, diarrhea, bloody diarrhea, and hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS). HUS is a potentially life-threatening sequela that occurs in a proportion of cases. Shiga toxin (Stx) is the main virulence factor produced by STEC, hence the name; however, STEC strains also must express adhesins to effectively colonize the intestines and cause severe illness. The outer membrane protein intimin (Eae) is the adhesin most often associated with severe disease; however, Eae-negative strains have also been incriminated in severe disease in which fimbria (e.g., aggregative adhesion fimbria) mediated intestinal adherence and colonization. STEC strains isolated from patients with disease or identified to contain genes that encode for key virulence factors (e.g., Stx, Eae) constitute a subset of STEC known as enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC). STEC are diverse pathogens capable of acquiring new virulence genes on mobile genetic elements. The emergence of strains such as the hybrid enteroaggregative-enterohemorrhagic serotype O104:H4 that caused an epidemic in Europe in 2011 is a classic example of the threat posed by STEC. Research to elucidate factors underlying virulence and host susceptibility is needed to mitigate further outbreaks of disease caused by these organisms.

In this Special Issue, I invite review or original research articles related to STEC virulence or host factors contributing to infections in humans.

Prof. Rodney A. Moxley
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • STEC
  • EHEC
  • pathogenesis
  • virulence factors
  • bacteria - host interactions
  • shiga toxin
  • adherence
  • host response

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Published Papers (16 papers)

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Editorial

Jump to: Research, Review, Other

3 pages, 184 KiB  
Editorial
Special Issue: Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli
by Rodney A. Moxley
Microorganisms 2021, 9(1), 1; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/microorganisms9010001 - 22 Dec 2020
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1734
Abstract
Globally, Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) is an important cause of diarrheal disease, most notably hemorrhagic colitis, and post-diarrheal sequela, such as hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS) [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli)

Research

Jump to: Editorial, Review, Other

16 pages, 2415 KiB  
Article
Deciphering Additional Roles for the EF-Tu, l-Asparaginase II and OmpT Proteins of Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli
by Alexia N. Torres, Nayaret Chamorro-Veloso, Priscila Costa, Leandro Cádiz, Felipe Del Canto, Sebastián A. Venegas, Mercedes López Nitsche, Roberto F. Coloma-Rivero, David A. Montero and Roberto M. Vidal
Microorganisms 2020, 8(8), 1184; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/microorganisms8081184 - 04 Aug 2020
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3345
Abstract
Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) causes outbreaks and sporadic cases of gastroenteritis. STEC O157:H7 is the most clinically relevant serotype in the world. The major virulence determinants of STEC O157:H7 are the Shiga toxins and the locus of enterocyte effacement. However, several accessory [...] Read more.
Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) causes outbreaks and sporadic cases of gastroenteritis. STEC O157:H7 is the most clinically relevant serotype in the world. The major virulence determinants of STEC O157:H7 are the Shiga toxins and the locus of enterocyte effacement. However, several accessory virulence factors, mainly outer membrane proteins (OMPs) that interact with the host cells may contribute to the virulence of this pathogen. Previously, the elongation factor thermo unstable (EF-Tu), l-asparaginase II and OmpT proteins were identified as antigens in OMP extracts of STEC. The known subcellular location of EF-Tu and l-asparaginase II are the cytoplasm and periplasm, respectively. Therefore, we investigate whether these two proteins may localize on the surface of STEC and, if so, what roles they have at this site. On the other hand, the OmpT protein, a well characterized protease, has been described as participating in the adhesion of extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli strains. Thus, we investigate whether OmpT has this role in STEC. Our results show that the EF-Tu and l-asparaginase II are secreted by O157:H7 and may also localize on the surface of this bacterium. EF-Tu was identified in outer membrane vesicles (OMVs), suggesting it as a possible export mechanism for this protein. Notably, we found that l-asparaginase II secreted by O157:H7 inhibits T-lymphocyte proliferation, but the role of EF-Tu at the surface of this bacterium remains to be elucidated. In the case of OmpT, we show its participation in the adhesion of O157:H7 to human epithelial cells. Thus, this study extends the knowledge of the pathogenic mechanisms of STEC. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli)
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16 pages, 3449 KiB  
Article
Is Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli O45 No Longer a Food Safety Threat? The Danger is Still Out There
by Yujie Zhang, Yen-Te Liao, Xiaohong Sun and Vivian C.H. Wu
Microorganisms 2020, 8(5), 782; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/microorganisms8050782 - 22 May 2020
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3384
Abstract
Many Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) strains, including the serogroups of O157 and most of the top six non-O157 serotypes, are frequently associated with foodborne outbreaks. Therefore, they have been extensively studied using next-generation sequencing technology. However, related information regarding STEC O45 strains [...] Read more.
Many Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) strains, including the serogroups of O157 and most of the top six non-O157 serotypes, are frequently associated with foodborne outbreaks. Therefore, they have been extensively studied using next-generation sequencing technology. However, related information regarding STEC O45 strains is scarce. In this study, three environmental E. coli O45:H16 strains (RM11911, RM13745, and RM13752) and one clinical E. coli O45:H2 strain (SJ7) were sequenced and used to characterize virulence factors using two reference E. coli O45:H2 strains of clinical origin. Subsequently, whole-genome-based phylogenetic analysis was conducted for the six STEC O45 strains and nine other reference STEC genomes, in order to evaluate their evolutionary relationship. The results show that one locus of enterocyte effacement pathogenicity island was found in all three STEC O45:H2 strains, but not in the STEC O45:H16 strains. Additionally, E. coli O45:H2 strains were evolutionarily close to E. coli O103:H2 strains, sharing high homology in terms of virulence factors, such as Stx prophages, but were distinct from E. coli O45:H16 strains. The findings show that E. coli O45:H2 may be as virulent as E. coli O103:H2, which is frequently associated with severe illness and can provide genomic evidence to facilitate STEC surveillance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli)
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10 pages, 888 KiB  
Communication
Modeling Native EHEC Outer Membrane Vesicles by Creating Synthetic Surrogates
by Alexander Kehl, Ronja Kuhn, Johanna Detzner, Daniel Steil, Johannes Müthing, Helge Karch and Alexander Mellmann
Microorganisms 2020, 8(5), 673; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/microorganisms8050673 - 06 May 2020
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2328
Abstract
Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) is a zoonotic pathogen responsible for life-threating diseases such as hemolytic uremic syndrome. While its major virulence factor, the Shiga toxin (Stx), is known to exert its cytotoxic effect on various endothelial and epithelial cells when in its free, [...] Read more.
Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) is a zoonotic pathogen responsible for life-threating diseases such as hemolytic uremic syndrome. While its major virulence factor, the Shiga toxin (Stx), is known to exert its cytotoxic effect on various endothelial and epithelial cells when in its free, soluble form, Stx was also recently found to be associated with EHEC outer membrane vesicles (OMVs). However, depending on the strain background, other toxins can also be associated with native OMVs (nOMVs), and nOMVs are also made up of immunomodulatory agents such as lipopolysaccharides and flagellin. Thus, it is difficult to determine to which extent a single virulence factor in nOMVs, such as Stx, contributes to the molecular pathogenesis of EHEC. To reduce this complexity, we successfully developed a protocol for the preparation of synthetic OMVs (sOMVs) with a defined lipid composition resembling the E. coli outer membrane and loaded with specific proteins, i.e., bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a proxy for functional Stx2a. Using BSA for parameter evaluation, we found that (1) functional sOMVs can be prepared at room temperature instead of potentially detrimental higher temperatures (e.g., 45 °C), (2) a 1:10 ratio of protein to lipid, i.e., 100 µg protein with 1 mg of lipid mixture, yields homogenously sized sOMVs, and (3) long-term storage for up to one year at 4 °C is possible without losing structural integrity. Accordingly, we reproducibly generated Stx2a-loaded sOMVs with an average diameter of 132.4 ± 9.6 nm that preserve Stx2a’s injuring activity, as determined by cytotoxicity assays with Vero cells. Overall, we successfully created sOMVs and loaded them with an EHEC toxin, which opens the door for future studies on the degree of virulence associated with individual toxins from EHEC and other bacterial pathogens. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli)
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17 pages, 3517 KiB  
Article
Escherichia coli O157:H7 Curli Fimbriae Promotes Biofilm Formation, Epithelial Cell Invasion, and Persistence in Cattle
by Haiqing Sheng, Yansong Xue, Wei Zhao, Carolyn J. Hovde and Scott A. Minnich
Microorganisms 2020, 8(4), 580; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/microorganisms8040580 - 17 Apr 2020
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3824
Abstract
Escherichia coli O157:H7 (O157) is noninvasive and a weak biofilm producer; however, a subset of O157 are exceptions. O157 ATCC 43895 forms biofilms and invades epithelial cells. Tn5 mutagenesis identified a mutation responsible for both phenotypes. The insertion mapped within the curli [...] Read more.
Escherichia coli O157:H7 (O157) is noninvasive and a weak biofilm producer; however, a subset of O157 are exceptions. O157 ATCC 43895 forms biofilms and invades epithelial cells. Tn5 mutagenesis identified a mutation responsible for both phenotypes. The insertion mapped within the curli csgB fimbriae locus. Screening of O157 strains for biofilm formation and cell invasion identified a bovine and a clinical isolate with those characteristics. A single base pair A to T transversion, intergenic to the curli divergent operons csgDEFG and csgBAC, was present only in biofilm-producing and invasive strains. Using site-directed mutagenesis, this single base change was introduced into two curli-negative/noninvasive O157 strains and modified strains to form biofilms, produce curli, and gain invasive capability. Transmission electron microscopy (EM) and immuno-EM confirmed curli fibers. EM of bovine epithelial cells (MAC-T) co-cultured with curli-expressing O157 showed intracellular bacteria. The role of curli in O157 persistence in cattle was examined by challenging cattle with curli-positive and -negative O157 and comparing carriage. The duration of bovine colonization with the O157 curli-negative mutant was shorter than its curli-positive isogenic parent. These findings definitively demonstrate that a single base pair stably confers biofilm formation, epithelial cell invasion, and persistence in cattle. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli)
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9 pages, 3044 KiB  
Communication
Intimate Attachment of Escherichia coli O157:H7 to Urinary Bladder Epithelium in the Gnotobiotic Piglet Model
by Rodney A. Moxley, Tom W. Bargar, Stephen D. Kachman, Diane R. Baker and David H. Francis
Microorganisms 2020, 8(2), 263; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/microorganisms8020263 - 15 Feb 2020
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2754 | Correction
Abstract
Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC), a pathogenic subset of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), is an important cause of hemorrhagic colitis and hemolytic–uremic syndrome (HUS), and a rare cause of urinary tract infections (UTIs) with associated HUS. EHEC strains attach intimately to intestinal epithelium [...] Read more.
Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC), a pathogenic subset of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), is an important cause of hemorrhagic colitis and hemolytic–uremic syndrome (HUS), and a rare cause of urinary tract infections (UTIs) with associated HUS. EHEC strains attach intimately to intestinal epithelium with formation of actin pedestals (attaching-effacing (A/E) lesions); however, the mechanism of EHEC attachment to the uroepithelium is unknown. We conducted a retrospective study on archived urinary bladder specimens from gnotobiotic piglets that naturally developed cystitis associated with EHEC O157:H7 infection following oral inoculation and fecal shedding. Paraffin-embedded bladder tissues from three piglets with cystitis and immunohistochemical evidence of EHEC O157:H7 adherence to the uroepithelium were processed for and examined by transmission electron microscopy. EHEC O157:H7 bacteria were found in one of three piglets, intimately attached to pedestals on the apical surfaces of the superficial urothelium (umbrella cells). Cystitis was significantly associated with the length of survival of the piglets post-inoculation (p = 0.0339; estimated odds ratio = 2.6652). This is the first report of E. coli causing A/E-like lesions in the uroepithelium, and also evidence of the utility of the gnotobiotic piglet as a model for studies of the pathogenesis of EHEC UTIs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli)
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17 pages, 1221 KiB  
Article
Virulence Profiling and Molecular Typing of Shiga Toxin-Producing E. coli (STEC) from Human Sources in Brazil
by Adriene Maria Ferreira Cavalcanti, Rodrigo Tavanelli Hernandes, Elizabeth Harummyy Takagi, Beatriz Ernestina Cabílio Guth, Érica de Lima Ori, Sandra Regina Schicariol Pinheiro, Tânia Sueli de Andrade, Samara Louzada Oliveira, Maria Cecilia Cergole-Novella, Gabriela Rodrigues Francisco and Luís Fernando dos Santos
Microorganisms 2020, 8(2), 171; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/microorganisms8020171 - 25 Jan 2020
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 3420
Abstract
Since no recent data characterizing Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) from human infections in Brazil are available, the present study aimed to investigate serotypes, stx genotypes, and accessory virulence genes, and also to perform pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) [...] Read more.
Since no recent data characterizing Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) from human infections in Brazil are available, the present study aimed to investigate serotypes, stx genotypes, and accessory virulence genes, and also to perform pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) of 43 STEC strains recovered from 2007 to 2017. Twenty-one distinct serotypes were found, with serotype O111:H8 being the most common. However, serotypes less frequently reported in human diseases were also found and included a hybrid STEC/ETEC O100:H25 clone. The majority of the strains carried stx1a as the sole stx genotype and were positive for the eae gene. Regarding the occurrence of 28 additional virulence genes associated with plasmids and pathogenicity islands, a diversity of profiles was found especially among the eae-harboring strains, which had combinations of markers composed of up to 12 distinct genes. Although PFGE analysis demonstrated genetic diversity between serotypes such as O157:H7, O111:H8, O26:H11, O118:H16, and O123:H2, high genetic relatedness was found for strains of serotypes O24:H4 and O145:H34. MLST allowed the identification of 17 distinct sequence types (STs) with ST 16 and 21 being the most common ones. Thirty-five percent of the strains studied were not typeable by the currently used MLST approach, suggesting new STs. Although STEC O111:H8 remains the leading serotype in Brazil, a diversity of other serotypes, some carrying virulence genes and belonging to STs incriminated as causing severe disease, were found in this study. Further studies are needed to determine whether they have any epidemiological relevance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli)
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18 pages, 2371 KiB  
Article
Structural and Functional Characterization of Stx2k, a New Subtype of Shiga Toxin 2
by Anna C. Hughes, Yuzhu Zhang, Xiangning Bai, Yanwen Xiong, Yan Wang, Xi Yang, Qingping Xu and Xiaohua He
Microorganisms 2020, 8(1), 4; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/microorganisms8010004 - 18 Dec 2019
Cited by 25 | Viewed by 3616
Abstract
Shiga toxin (Stx) is the major virulence factor of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC). Stx evolves rapidly and, as such, new subtypes continue to emerge that challenge the efficacy of existing disease management and surveillance strategies. A new subtype, Stx2k, was recently identified [...] Read more.
Shiga toxin (Stx) is the major virulence factor of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC). Stx evolves rapidly and, as such, new subtypes continue to emerge that challenge the efficacy of existing disease management and surveillance strategies. A new subtype, Stx2k, was recently identified in E. coli isolated from a wide range of sources including diarrheal patients, animals, and raw meats, and was poorly detected by existing immunoassays. In this study, the structure of Stx2kE167Q was determined at 2.29 Å resolution and the conservation of structure with Stx2a was revealed. A novel polyclonal antibody capable of neutralizing Stx2k and an immunoassay, with a 10-fold increase in sensitivity compared to assays using extant antibodies, were developed. Stx2k is less toxic than Stx2a in Vero cell assays but is similar to Stx2a in receptor-binding preference, thermostability, and acid tolerance. Although Stx2k does not appear to be as potent as Stx2a to Vero cells, the wide distribution and blended virulence profiles of the Stx2k-producing strains suggest that horizontal gene transfer through Stx2k-converting phages could result in the emergence of new and highly virulent pathogens. This study provides useful information and tools for early detection and control of Stx2k-producing E. coli, which could reduce public risk of infection by less-known STECs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli)
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25 pages, 3836 KiB  
Article
Structural Insights into Escherichia coli Shiga Toxin (Stx) Glycosphingolipid Receptors of Porcine Renal Epithelial Cells and Inhibition of Stx-Mediated Cellular Injury Using Neoglycolipid-Spiked Glycovesicles
by Johanna Detzner, Caroline Gloerfeld, Gottfried Pohlentz, Nadine Legros, Hans-Ulrich Humpf, Alexander Mellmann, Helge Karch and Johannes Müthing
Microorganisms 2019, 7(11), 582; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/microorganisms7110582 - 19 Nov 2019
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3095
Abstract
Shiga toxin (Stx) producing Escherichia coli (STEC) cause the edema disease in pigs by releasing the swine-pathogenic Stx2e subtype as the key virulence factor. Stx2e targets endothelial cells of animal organs including the kidney harboring the Stx receptor glycosphingolipids (GSLs) globotriaosylceramide (Gb3Cer, Galα1-4Galβ1-4Glcβ1-1Cer) [...] Read more.
Shiga toxin (Stx) producing Escherichia coli (STEC) cause the edema disease in pigs by releasing the swine-pathogenic Stx2e subtype as the key virulence factor. Stx2e targets endothelial cells of animal organs including the kidney harboring the Stx receptor glycosphingolipids (GSLs) globotriaosylceramide (Gb3Cer, Galα1-4Galβ1-4Glcβ1-1Cer) and globotetraosylceramide (Gb4Cer, GalNAcβ1-3Galα1-4Galβ1-4Glcβ1-1Cer). Since the involvement of renal epithelial cells in the edema disease is unknown, in this study, we analyzed the porcine kidney epithelial cell lines, LLC-PK1 and PK-15, regarding the presence of Stx-binding GSLs, their sensitivity towards Stx2e, and the inhibitory potential of Gb3- and Gb4-neoglycolipids, carrying phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) as the lipid anchor, towards Stx2e. Immunochemical and mass spectrometric analysis revealed various Gb3Cer and Gb4Cer lipoforms as the dominant Stx-binding GSLs in both LLC-PK1 and PK-15 cells. A dihexosylceramide with proposed Galα1-4Gal-sequence (Gal2Cer) was detected in PK-15 cells, whereas LLC-PK1 cells lacked this compound. Both cell lines were susceptible towards Stx2e with LLC-PK1 representing an extremely Stx2e-sensitive cell line. Gb3-PE and Gb4-PE applied as glycovesicles significantly reduced the cytotoxic activity of Stx2e towards LLC-PK1 cells, whereas only Gb4-PE exhibited some protection against Stx2e for PK-15 cells. This is the first report identifying Stx2e receptors of porcine kidney epithelial cells and providing first data on their Stx2e-mediated damage suggesting possible involvement in the edema disease. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli)
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14 pages, 4041 KiB  
Article
Top-Down Proteomic Identification of Shiga Toxin 1 and 2 from Pathogenic Escherichia coli Using MALDI-TOF-TOF Tandem Mass Spectrometry
by Clifton K. Fagerquist, William J. Zaragoza and Michelle Q. Carter
Microorganisms 2019, 7(11), 488; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/microorganisms7110488 - 25 Oct 2019
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2900
Abstract
Shiga-toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) are a burden on agriculture and a threat to public health. Rapid methods are needed to identify STEC strains and characterize the Shiga toxin (Stx) they produce. We analyzed three STEC strains for Stx expression, using antibiotic induction, matrix-assisted [...] Read more.
Shiga-toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) are a burden on agriculture and a threat to public health. Rapid methods are needed to identify STEC strains and characterize the Shiga toxin (Stx) they produce. We analyzed three STEC strains for Stx expression, using antibiotic induction, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight-time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF-TOF) mass spectrometry, and top-down proteomic analysis. E. coli O157:H- strain 493/89 is a clinical isolate linked to an outbreak of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) in Germany in the late 1980s. E. coli O145:H28 strains RM12367-C1 and RM14496-C1 were isolated from an agricultural region in California. The stx operon of the two environmental strains were determined by whole genome sequencing (WGS). STEC strain 493/89 expressed Shiga toxin 2a (Stx2a) as identified by tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) of its B-subunit that allowed identification of the type and subtype of the toxin. RM12367-C1 also expressed Stx2a as identified by its B-subunit. RM14496-C1 expressed Shiga toxin 1a (Stx1a) as identified from its B-subunit. The B-subunits of Stx1 and Stx2 both have an intramolecular disulfide bond. MS/MS was obtained on both the disulfide-bond-intact and disulfide-bond-reduced B-subunit, with the latter being used for top-down proteomic identification. Top-down proteomic analysis was consistent with WGS. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli)
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15 pages, 2820 KiB  
Article
Development and Validation of Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli Immunodiagnostic Assay
by Miriam A. Silva, Anna Raquel R. Santos, Leticia B. Rocha, Bruna A. Caetano, Thais Mitsunari, Luanda I. Santos, Juliana M. Polatto, Denise S. P. Q. Horton, Beatriz E. C. Guth, Luís Fernando dos Santos and Roxane M. F. Piazza
Microorganisms 2019, 7(9), 276; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/microorganisms7090276 - 21 Aug 2019
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 4234
Abstract
Shiga toxin (Stx)–producing Escherichia coli (STEC) and its subgroup enterohemorrhagic E. coli are important pathogens involved in diarrhea, which may be complicated by hemorrhagic colitis and hemolytic uremic syndrome, the leading cause of acute renal failure in children. Early diagnosis is essential for [...] Read more.
Shiga toxin (Stx)–producing Escherichia coli (STEC) and its subgroup enterohemorrhagic E. coli are important pathogens involved in diarrhea, which may be complicated by hemorrhagic colitis and hemolytic uremic syndrome, the leading cause of acute renal failure in children. Early diagnosis is essential for clinical management, as an antibiotic treatment in STEC infections is not recommended. Previously obtained antibodies against Stx1 and Stx2 toxins were employed to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of the latex Agglutination test (LAT), lateral flow assay (LFA), and capture ELISA (cEIA) for STEC detection. The LAT (mAb Stx1 plus mAb stx2) showed 99% sensitivity and 97% specificity. Individually, Stx1 antibodies showed 95.5% and 94% sensitivity and a specificity of 97% and 99% in the cEIA and LFA assay, respectively. Stx2 antibodies showed a sensitivity of 92% in both assays and a specificity of 100% and 98% in the cEIA and LFA assay, respectively. These results allow us to conclude that we have robust tools for the diagnosis of STEC infections. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli)
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23 pages, 5135 KiB  
Article
Dynamic Gene Network Analysis of Caco-2 Cell Response to Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli-Associated Hemolytic–Uremic Syndrome
by Silvia Y. Bando, Priscila Iamashita, Filipi N. Silva, Luciano da F. Costa, Cecilia M. Abe, Fernanda B. Bertonha, Beatriz E. C. Guth, André Fujita and Carlos A. Moreira-Filho
Microorganisms 2019, 7(7), 195; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/microorganisms7070195 - 08 Jul 2019
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 4561
Abstract
Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O113:H21 strains are associated with human diarrhea and some strains may cause hemolytic–uremic syndrome (HUS). In Brazil, these strains are commonly found in cattle but, so far, were not isolated from HUS patients. Here, a system biology approach [...] Read more.
Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O113:H21 strains are associated with human diarrhea and some strains may cause hemolytic–uremic syndrome (HUS). In Brazil, these strains are commonly found in cattle but, so far, were not isolated from HUS patients. Here, a system biology approach was used to investigate the differential transcriptomic and phenotypic responses of enterocyte-like Caco-2 cells to two STEC O113:H21 strains with similar virulence factor profiles (i.e., expressing stx2, ehxA, epeA, espA, iha, saa, sab, and subA): EH41 (Caco-2/EH41), isolated from a HUS patient in Australia, and Ec472/01 (Caco-2/Ec472), isolated from bovine feces in Brazil, during a 3 h period of bacteria–enterocyte interaction. Gene co-expression network analysis for Caco-2/EH41 revealed a quite abrupt pattern of topological variation along 3 h of enterocyte–bacteria interaction when compared with networks obtained for Caco-2/Ec472. Transcriptional module characterization revealed that EH41 induces inflammatory and apoptotic responses in Caco-2 cells just after the first hour of enterocyte–bacteria interaction, whereas the response to Ec472/01 is associated with cytoskeleton organization at the first hour, followed by the expression of immune response modulators. Scanning electron microscopy showed more intense microvilli destruction in Caco-2 cells exposed to EH41 when compared to those exposed to Ec472/01. Altogether, these results show that EH41 expresses virulence genes, inducing a distinctive host cell response, and is likely associated with severe pathogenicity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli)
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Review

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16 pages, 1228 KiB  
Review
Shiga-Toxin Producing Escherichia Coli in Brazil: A Systematic Review
by Vinicius Silva Castro, Eduardo Eustáquio de Souza Figueiredo, Kim Stanford, Tim McAllister and Carlos Adam Conte-Junior
Microorganisms 2019, 7(5), 137; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/microorganisms7050137 - 16 May 2019
Cited by 24 | Viewed by 4874
Abstract
Shiga-toxin producing E. coli (STEC) can cause serious illnesses, including hemorrhagic colitis and hemolytic uremic syndrome. This is the first systematic review of STEC in Brazil, and will report the main serogroups detected in animals, food products and foodborne diseases. Data were obtained [...] Read more.
Shiga-toxin producing E. coli (STEC) can cause serious illnesses, including hemorrhagic colitis and hemolytic uremic syndrome. This is the first systematic review of STEC in Brazil, and will report the main serogroups detected in animals, food products and foodborne diseases. Data were obtained from online databases accessed in January 2019. Papers were selected from each database using the Mesh term entries. Although no human disease outbreaks in Brazil related to STEC has been reported, the presence of several serogroups such as O157 and O111 has been verified in animals, food, and humans. Moreover, other serogroups monitored by international federal agencies and involved in outbreak cases worldwide were detected, and other unusual strains were involved in some isolated individual cases of foodborne disease, such as serotype O118:H16 and serogroup O165. The epidemiological data presented herein indicates the presence of several pathogenic serogroups, including O157:H7, O26, O103, and O111, which have been linked to disease outbreaks worldwide. As available data are concentrated in the Sao Paulo state and almost completely lacking in outlying regions, epidemiological monitoring in Brazil for STEC needs to be expanded and food safety standards for this pathogen should be aligned to that of the food safety standards of international bodies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli)
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Correction
Correction: Moxley, R.A., et al. Intimate Attachment of Escherichia coli O157:H7 to Urinary Bladder Epithelium in the Gnotobiotic Piglet Model. Microorganisms 2020, 8, 263
by Rodney A. Moxley, Tom W. Bargar, Stephen D. Kachman, Diane R. Baker and David H. Francis
Microorganisms 2020, 8(12), 2016; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/microorganisms8122016 - 17 Dec 2020
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1064
Abstract
The authors wish to make the following corrections to this paper [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli)
4 pages, 240 KiB  
Reply
Reply to Comments on “Shiga-Toxin Producing Escherichia coli in Brazil: A Systematic Review. Microorganisms 2019, 7, 137”
by Vinicius Silva Castro, Eduardo Eustáquio de Souza Figueiredo, Kim Stanford, Tim McAllister and Carlos Adam Conte-Junior
Microorganisms 2019, 7(10), 418; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/microorganisms7100418 - 03 Oct 2019
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1842
Abstract
Recently a comment regarding our article entitled “Shiga-Toxin Producing Escherichia coli in Brazil: A Systematic Review” was made by Dr [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli)
3 pages, 208 KiB  
Comment
Comment on “Shiga-Toxin Producing Escherichia coli in Brazil: A Systematic Review. Microorganisms 2019, 7, 137”
by Beatriz E. C. Guth
Microorganisms 2019, 7(10), 417; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/microorganisms7100417 - 03 Oct 2019
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1708
Abstract
A recent article by Castro et al. describes a systematic review of Shiga-toxin producing
<i>Escherichia coli</i> (STEC) in Brazil. [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli)
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