Evaluation of monoclonal antibodies to K88, K99, F41 and 987P fimbrial adhesins for the detection of porcine enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli in paraffin-wax tissue sections

A panel of monoclonal antibodies against fimbrial adhesins of porcine enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli were evaluated for the detection of enteric colibacillosis in paraffin-wax embedded sections of piglet small intestine. Using the immunoperoxidase technique, monoclonal antibodies were used to detect epitopes on the K99 adhesin and on the a and c regions of the K88 adhesin. However, monoclonal antibodies to the F41 and 987P adhesins failed to react in sections with organisms colonising the intestine of gnotobiotic piglets monoinfected with strains bearing those adhesins, whereas corresponding polyclonal antisera gave positive results. In contrast to apparent expression of all K99 organisms, only a proportion of organisms were identified by monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies as expressing K88. In some instances, failure of immunostaining was attributed to prolonged storage of tissue in formalin.     

Features of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli strains of porcine origin that express K88 and 987P fimbrial antigens

Escherichia coli strains of porcine origin express K88 and 987P pilus-antigens in vitro. This study reports their enterotoxin producing ability, serological features and plasmid content. The bipiliated strains were enterotoxigenic and all contained a large plasmid of uniform size.     

Susceptibility of Chinese Meishan and European large white pigs to enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli strains bearing colonization factor K88, 987P, K99, or F41

Conventionally raised Chinese Meishan and European Large White pigs were intragastrically challenge exposed with 2.1 x 10(10) enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli strains bearing colonization factor K88, 987P, F41, or F41 plus K99. In response to challenge exposure with the K88-positive (K88+) organisms, 96% of Large White pigs died within 48 hours, whereas none of the Meishan pigs died. Both breeds of pigs had similar susceptibility to strains bearing 987P or F41. Lastly, Meishan pigs were found to be more susceptible than Large White pigs to a strain expressing K99 and F41. In pigs with diarrhea, challenge-exposure strains intensively colonized the jejunum (10(8) to 10(10) bacteria/g of tissue) and, to less extent, the duodenum (except K88+ strain, which comprised 10(8)/g). In most cases, jejunal concentrations of the challenge-exposure strains were substantially lower in pigs that did not have diarrhea. Half the resistant Meishan pigs eliminated the K88+ strain from the intestines. Colostral antibody titer that agglutinated challenge-exposure strains did not differ between Meishan and Large White gilts. Results indicate that resistance of pigs to the K88+ strain did not extend to enterotoxigenic strains bearing other well-known factors. They indicate, in addition, that genetic resistance to K88+ strains described in pigs in Europe may exist in pigs in China.     

Colonization factor different from K88, K99, F41 and 987P in enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli strains isolated from postweaning diarrhoea in pigs.

A novel common colonization factor was detected in enterotoxigenic strains of Escherichia coli isolated from intestinal contents of piglets affected with postweaning diarrhoea. This factor was antigenically distinct from the previously described K88, K99, F41, 987P, CFAI, CFAII and Att25 fimbrial antigens. E. coli strains possessing this factor adhered to the pig intestinal brush borders and one strain, used in experimental infection in weanlings, colonized the intestinal epithelium and induced diarrhoea. Examination of 212 toxigenic strains of E. coli isolated from weanlings revealed the presence of the novel common colonization factor in 83 strains, belonging to serogroups O25, O108, O138, O141, O147 and O157. The antigen K88 was detected in 47 strains belonging to serogroups O8, O141, O147 and O149.     

Phenotypic expression of K88 adhesin alone or simultaneously with K99 and/or F41 adhesins in the bovine enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli strain B41

F41-positive and F41-negative derivatives of bovine enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli strain B41 carrying K88 or K88 and K99 plasmids were investigated for stability and expression of genes for their fimbrial antigens. Either K88 plasmid alone or both K88 and K99 plasmids could be maintained in these strains though stability could depend on culture medium. K99 antigen could be detected in each strain bearing K99 plasmid. Clones that produced K88 antigen or clones that did not produce this antigen could be isolated from each strain, except from the strain that possessed K99 plasmid in the strain that did not possess the ability to produce F41 antigen. Strains possessing K88 plasmid in the strain able to produce F41 antigen produced clones expressing either both K88 and F41 antigens, (also F41 appeared strongly expressed in some clones) or clones that produced only F41 antigen or no antigen at all. Clones that produced only K88 antigen or others that did not produce this antigen could be produced from a strain bearing only K88 plasmid and that did not possess the ability to produce F41 antigen. None of these strains bearing K88 plasmid alone or additionally K99 plasmid produced mannose-resistant hemagglutination of horse or sheep erythrocytes at 20°C as found for K99 and F41 ETEC natural strains, respectively. These results suggested that the structures of pili when several genetic determinants were present simultaneously may not be identical to those of original strains. In this study, clones expressing either one, two or three adhesin bearing antigens could be obtained from the strain B41.     

Evaluation of monoclonal antibodies to K88, K99, F41 and 987P fimbrial adhesins for the detection of porcine enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli in paraffin-wax tissue sections

A panel of monoclonal antibodies against fimbrial adhesins of porcine enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli were evaluated for the detection of enteric colibacillosis in paraffin-wax embedded sections of piglet small intestine. Using the immunoperoxidase technique, monoclonal antibodies were used to detect epitopes on the K99 adhesin and on the a and c regions of the K88 adhesin. However, monoclonal antibodies to the F41 and 987P adhesins failed to react in sections with organisms colonising the intestine of gnotobiotic piglets monoinfected with strains bearing those adhesins, whereas corresponding polyclonal antisera gave positive results. In contrast to apparent expression of all K99 organisms, only a proportion of organisms were identified by monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies as expressing K88. In some instances, failure of immunostaining was attributed to prolonged storage of tissue in formalin.     

大肠杆菌K88、K99、987P纤毛抗原提纯及抗血清制备

采用加热法和盐析法对大肠杆菌K88、K99、987P纤毛抗原进行了提取、纯化,并通过SDS—PAGE凝胶电泳对提纯效果进行了检验。将纯化的纤毛抗原免疫家兔,制备了K88、K99、987P纤毛抗原抗血清,用琼脂扩散试验检测了抗血清的效价。结果表明,纯化的K88、K99、987P纤毛为高纯度的纤毛抗原,其分子量分别约为26、18、20kD。K88、K99、987P抗血清的琼扩效价依次为1：32、1：32、1：128,且特异性高。本研究为K88、K99、987P纤毛抗原定量检测及产纤毛大肠杆菌菌株的鉴定奠定了基础。     

Prevalence of K88, K99, and 987P pili of Escherichia coli in neonatal pigs with enteric colibacillosis

One hundred nineteen live neonatal pigs with diarrhea less than or equal to 2 weeks old were euthanatized, and frozen sections of their ilea were submitted to an indirect fluorescent antibody technique to identify K88, K99, and 987P pili (also referred to as F-4, F-5, and F-6 pili, respectively) in Escherichia coli. Ten-centimeter ileal sections were used to determine numbers of lactose-fermenting bacteria. Of 52 pigs in which E coli pili were found, 14 had K88 (27%), 23 had K99 (44%), 13 had 987P (25%), and 2 had K88 and K99 simultaneously (4%). Numbers of lactose-fermenting bacteria were significantly (P less than or equal to 0.05) higher in pigs with piliated E coli than in pigs without piliated E coli. Results of this study indicated that piliated E coli are a major cause of enteric disease in neonatal swine in Michigan, and that in pigs less than or equal to 2 weeks of age, K99 was the most frequently encountered pilus antigen.     

猪K88、K99、987P、F41埃希氏大肠杆菌高密度发酵培养技术的初步探讨

采用高密度发酵和普通深层通气两种方法培养含K88、K99、987P、F41菌毛抗原的四株猪埃希氏大肠杆菌,对其培养液进行活菌数、OD值、pH值、效价的测定。实验结果表明,运用高密度发酵方法培养,各菌活菌数可达4.1×1010~4.9×1010CFU/mL,效价为211~213;运用普通深层通气方法培养,各菌活菌数为0.51×1010~0.59×1010CFU/mL,效价为24~25,可选择高密度发酵方法替代普通深层通气方法培养,用于制备猪埃希氏大肠杆菌K88、K99、987P、F41四价菌毛提纯苗。     

产肠毒素性大肠杆菌K88与K99菌毛蛋白的串联表达

根据GenBank中发表的E.coli K88、K99基因序列,分别设计合成1对引物.利用PCR技术,以大肠杆菌C83907和C83644的质粒为模板分别扩增不含信号肽的K88及K99基因.通过分离、纯化、限制性核酸内切酶酶切,连接和转化,构建了含K88-K99串联表达载体的重组菌株BL21(DE3)(pETK88CK99).结果显示,经酶切,PCR鉴定和DNA序列分析,证实了构建的重组质粒pETK88CK99中含有K88K99融合基因,且基因序列和阅读框架均正确.经过SDS-PAGE分析,串联表达蛋白含量占菌体蛋白的40%左右,经Western blotting检测,该串联表达蛋白能被大肠杆菌K88、K99标准血清识别.结果表明,构建的重组菌株可以作为预防新生仔猪大肠杆菌性腹泻基因工程疫苗的候选菌株.     

Enhanced expression of 987P (F6) fimbrial adhesin by cultured enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli.

The expression of the 987P fimbrial adhesin by strains of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli was enhanced and, in some cases, restored by passaging the organisms through Craigie's tubes. In contrast, the fimbrial adhesins K99, K88 and F41 were not optimally expressed in this medium. The results suggest that Craigie's tubes should be used for the optimum expression of 987P.     

产肠毒素性大肠杆菌F41与987P菌毛蛋白的串联表达

根据GenBank中发表的E．coliF41、987P基因序列,分别设计合成一对引物。利用PCR技术．分别以大肠杆菌C83707的基因组和C83710的质粒为模板扩增F41、987P基因。通过分离、纯化、限制性核酸内切酶酶切、连接和转化,构建了含F41-987P串联表达载体的重组菌株BL21（DE3）／pETF41-987P。经酶切、PCR鉴定和DNA序列分析,证实了构建的重组质粒pETF41-987P中含有F41-987P融合基因,且基因序列和阅读框架均正确。经过SDS．PAGE分析,串联表达蛋白含量在30％左右,经Western blot检测,该串联表达蛋白能被大肠杆菌F41、987P阳性血清识别。反向间接血凝试验结果,F41效价为2^6～2^8,987P效价为2^8～2^10。说明F41-987P融合蛋白具有良好的抗原性。表明构建的重组菌株可以作为预防新生仔猪大肠杆菌性腹泻基因工程疫苗的候选菌株。     

Prevalence of four enterotoxin (STaP, STaH, STb, and LT) and four adhesin subunit (K99, K88, 987P, and F41) genes among Escherichia coli isolates from cattle

Colony hybridizations with DNA probes for 3 heat-stable (STaP, STaH, and STb) enterotoxins and 1 heat-labile (LT) enterotoxin and for 4 adhesins (K99, F41, K88, 987P) were performed on 870 Escherichia coli isolates to determine pathotypes prevalent among enterotoxigenic E coli (ETEC) isolated from cattle in Belgium. One hundred thirty-two E coli isolates (15.2%) hybridized with probes STaP, K99, and/or F41. The 5 other probes were not hybridized by E coli isolates. Therefore, only STaP enterotoxin and K99 and F41 adhesins were virulence factors of ETEC isolated from cattle. Two major pathotypes accounted for 95% of the ETEC: STaP+K99+F41+ (67.4%) and STaP+K99+ (27.3%). The last 5% of probe-positive isolates had STaP+, STaP+F41+, or K99+F41+ minor pathotypes. Of 12 American ETEC isolates also assayed, 7 were positive with STb and/or 987P probes (pathotypes STaP+STb+, STaP+ 987P+, or STaP+STb+987P+) and may be porcine- rather than bovine-specific enteropathogens. The remaining 5 American ETEC isolates belonged to 3 minor pathotypes (STaP+, STaP+F41+, and K99+F41+) also found among Belgian E coli isolates. Such isolates may be derivatives of STaP+K99+F41+ or STaP+K99+ ETEC after in vivo or in vitro loss of virulence genes and/or non-ETEC isolates, which have acquired virulence genes by in vivo transfer.     

Comparison of seroagglutination, ELISA, and indirect fluorescent antibody staining for the detection of K99, K88, and 987P pilus antigens of Escherichia coli.

Seroagglutination (SAT), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and indirect fluorescent antibody staining tests (IFAT) were compared for reliability in the detection of pilus antigens K99, K88, and 987P of Escherichia coli. Test sensitivities were compared using mixtures of piliated bacteria of several strains diluted to a constant optical density with a nonpiliated strain. Relative sensitivities and specificities of the 3 tests were also compared using 55 E. coli strains that had previously been serotyped and characterized for pilus genes by DNA probe. Although specificity was not a serious problem with any of the tests, the SAT was relatively nonsensitive. The IFAT showed the greatest sensitivity of the 3 tests in detecting K88, K99, and 987P E. coli.     

Avirulent K88 (F4)+ Escherichia coli strains constructed to express modified enterotoxins protect young piglets from challenge with a virulent enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli strain that expresses the same adhesion and enterotoxins

Virulence of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) is associated with fimbrial adhesins and enterotoxins such as heat-labile (LT) and/or heat-stable (ST) enterotoxins. Previous studies using a cell culture model suggest that exclusion of ETEC from attachment to epithelial cells requires expression of both an adhesin such as K88 (F4) fimbriae, and LT. To test the ability of non-pathogenic E. coli constructs to exclude virulent ETEC sufficiently to prevent clinical disease, we utilized a piglet ETEC challenge model. Thirty-nine 5-day-old piglets were inoculated with a placebo (control), or with either of the three K88(+)E. coli strains isogenic with regard to modified LT expression: 8017 (pBR322 plasmid vector control), non-toxigenic mutant 8221 (LT(R192G)) in pBR322, or 8488, with the LT gene fused to the STb gene in pBR322 (LT(R192G)-STb). Piglets were challenged with virulent ETEC Strain 3030-2 (K88(+)/LT/STb) 24h post-inoculation. K88ac receptor-positive piglets in the control group developed diarrhea and became dehydrated 12-24h post-challenge. Piglets inoculated with 8221 or 8488 did not exhibit clinical signs of ETEC disease; most piglets inoculated with 8017 showed diarrhea. Control pigs exhibited significant weight loss, increased blood total protein, and higher numbers of colony-forming units of 3030-2 E. coli in washed ileum and jejunum than treated pigs. This study shows for the first time that pre-inoculation with an avirulent strain expressing adhesive fimbriae and a non-toxic form of LT provides significant short term protection from challenge with a virulent ETEC strain that expresses the same fimbrial adhesion and enterotoxin.     

检测K88~+肠毒素性大肠杆菌PCR方法的建立

以K8 8菌毛结构基因保守序列为靶序列 ,设计合成了一对可扩增长 2 0 1bp的目的片段的引物 ,成功地建立了检测肠毒素性大肠杆菌(ETEC)K88菌毛基因的PCR方法。进行了PCR方法的特异性试验和敏感性试验。对K99+ ,F41 + ,987p+ 参考菌株和鼠伤寒沙门氏杆菌 ,链球菌 ,金黄色葡萄球菌和猪肺疫巴氏杆菌的检测结果均为阴性 ;该检测方法的敏感度可达 1 0个细菌。用此方法对 1 0株腹泻仔猪粪便分离物进行检测 ,结果有 2株阳性 ;与血清学检测的结果一致。结果表明此方法特异性和敏感性都很高 ,可用于临床K88+ 肠毒素性大肠杆菌病的快速诊断和流行病学调查