Characterization of shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli strains isolated from calves in Poland

Fecal samples from 67 3–5-months-old calves with diarrhea were screened for the presence of shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC). Several accessory virulence factors genes were also tested. Among 192 E.coli isolates tested, 15 (7.6%) were found to harbour the shiga toxin 1 or 2 (stx1 or stx2) genes. The stx2-carrying samples were further subtyped by PCR for the stx2c, stx2d, and stx2e toxin variants. It was shown that stx2-positive bacteria mainly possessed the stx2c shiga toxin type gene. The enterohemolysin (hlyA) and intimin (eae) genes were found in seven (46.7%) STEC strains whereas the cytotoxic necrotizin factor 1 and 2 or the P fimbrial genes were detected in two isolates only. This study confirmed that calves are a reservoir of STEC strains (with all pathogenicity genes) that may be virulent for humans.     

Serotypes of Escherichia coli strains isolated from piglets with diarrhea in swine industrial farms

Serotypes of E. coli strains isolated from piglets, which died with symptoms of diarrhea in 9 swine industrial farms, were determined. Large numbers of serotypes (from 16 to 27) in individual farms were detected. The sets of serotypes from 9 investigated farms differed among each other significantly, depending on the farm and time of examination. It was found that more than one serotype of E. coli may exist in the pig body and contribute to the development of disease. The predominant serotypes, i.e. those comprising more than 10% of serologically determined strains, were found to exist in 6 of the investigated farms and not in the remaining ones. Among the predominant serotypes, particularly important seem to be strains with K88 antigen. For prophylaxis of piglet colibacteriosis in industrial farms in Poland two vaccines for sows are recommended: one containing the K88 antigen only and the other the following serotypes: 0149:K91,K88; 020:K57; 020:K83; 0157:K88; 01:K1; 0136:K78; 024:K?; 078:K80 and 0118:K? Strains belonging to these serotypes were the most prevalent in our strain collection.     

猪源致病性大肠杆菌菌毛的提取及菌毛蛋白抗原交叉性研究

本试验对4株猪源致病性大肠杆菌菌毛培养条件进行了研究。试验结果显示,大肠杆菌在TSB培养基中连续传代3次,每次37℃振荡培养48 h,能获得菌毛的大量表达。采用60℃振荡30 min,能使菌毛大量从菌体脱落。从SDS-PAGE和免疫印迹试验可见,20 ku和24 ku菌毛蛋白是这4株大肠杆菌的主要表面抗原。     

Intestinal and serum antibody response in gnotobiotic piglets to oral immunization with Escherichia coli

The local and systemic immune response to a formolized E. coli oral vaccine was investigated in 13 gnotobiotic piglets. Beginning at ten days of age animals received a daily dose of 10¹⁰ or 10¹¹ bacteria, on ten consecutive days. Intestinal loop tests with one animal of each group on day 26 showed protection which was more pronounced in the animal dosed 10¹⁰ bacteria compared with the other immunized piglet. Immunoglobulin class-specific antibodies to O and K antigens were determined by ELISA technique. In serum no IgG or IgA antibodies were found, whereas IgM-anti O149 antibodies in both immunized groups reached their highest level at day 4 of dosing and decreased thereafter. IgM-anti K88 antibodies were first detected at day 10 of dosing. Both immunized groups had comparable serum levels at days 20 and 30. Also in gut secretion the IgM antibody response was predominant, and higher levels were found in the 10¹⁰ group than in the 10¹¹ group. IgG and IgA antibody response were also detected in secretion.     

Prevalence of genotypes for fimbriae and enterotoxins and of O serogroups in Escherichia coli isolated from diarrheic piglets in Korea.

Polymerase chain reaction for 4 fimbriae (F4, F5, F6, F41), 2 heat-stable enterotoxins (STa, STb), and 1 heat-labile enterotoxin (LT) were performed on 400 Escherichia coli isolates to determine their genotype prevalence among enterotoxigenic E. coli isolates from preweaned pigs with diarrhea in the Republic of Korea. A total of 200 of the 400 E. coli isolates were also selected for characterization of the O serogroup. Of these 200 isolates, serogroup could be determined in 139 (69.5%) but not in 61 isolates (30.5%). Isolates of serogroup O101 were the most common, followed in descending order by 08, 020, 0162, 0141, and 0149. Ninety-seven (24.3%) of the 400 E. coli isolates carried genes for at least 1 of the entertoxins or fimbrial adhesins. Of these 97 isolates, 27 carried genes for at least 1 of the fimbrial adhesins and entertoxins. Sixty-six percent of the isolates that carried fimbrial adhesin genes carried genes for at least 1 of the enterotoxins, and 71% of the isolates that carried enterotoxin genes carried genes for at least 1 of the fimbrial adhesins. Genes for the F6 fimbriae were detected in 6% of the E. coli isolates, and F4+, F41+, and F5+ genes were detected in 4.3%, 3.3%, and 2% of the isolates, respectively. Genes for STa, STb, and LT were detected in 10%, 8.5%, and 4.3% of the isolates, respectively. The 6 major genotypes observed in this study (in decreasing order) were F6+, STb+, F41+, STa+STb+, F6+STa+, and STa+.     

The effectiveness of inactivated vaccines applied parenterally to sows to control Escherichia coli diarrhea in piglets in an industrial fattening farm

Different vaccines against Escherichia coli diarrhea of piglets were applied parenterally in pregnant sows at an industrial fattening farm. The following vaccines were used: vaccine No. 1 with non-complete Freund's adjuvant. Tween 80 and Arlacel A, comprising O149:K91,K88; O139:K82; O8:K87,K88; O141:K85,K88; and O64:K? E. coli serotypes; vaccine No. 2 with paraffin oil instead of Freund's adjuvant, comprising the same E. coli serotypes as the vaccine No. 1; stable specific vaccine with 10% aluminium hydroxide, based on E. coli serotypes most frequently isolated from piglets which died at the farm (O149:K91,K88; O8:K87,K88; O20:K17; O64:K?); Gletvax K88 (Wellcome) and NOBI-VAC LT-K88 (Intervet International). The number of piglets which died up to the moment of weaning in comparison to the number of born ones was considered as an indicator of acquired protection. It was found that the most effective in conferring protection against E. coli diarrhea were: vaccine No. 1 and NOBI-VAC. The differences in the mortality rate between piglets originating from sows vaccinated with these vaccines and those from unvaccinated ones were statistically significant (P < 0.05). No significant differences were noted between controls and animals vaccinated with the remaining vaccines.     

肠毒素性大肠杆菌菌毛对产蛋鸡免疫性的研究

采用热抽提法提取4种肠毒素性大肠杆菌菌毛蛋白。K88、K99、F41和987p菌毛蛋白分别制成弗氏佐剂苗;K88还制成白油佐剂苗,氢氧化铝胶苗和蜂胶佐剂苗;另将4种菌毛等比例混合制成弗氏佐剂苗。分别对产蛋鸡进行免疫,用微量凝集反应和血凝抑制试验检测卵黄抗体效价。结果表明,K88菌毛较其他3种菌毛免疫性好,诱导抗体效价最高而且能长时间维持;987p菌毛能快速诱导抗体的产生,但整体效价低。K88不同佐剂苗中,铝胶佐剂能较快地诱导抗体的产生,蜂胶佐剂苗抗体持续时间短,弗氏佐剂能诱导高效价的抗体产生而且能长时间持续。     

大肠埃希氏菌F18菌毛结构蛋白与黏附特性的关系

利用已表达的F18ab和F18ac菌毛各结构亚单位的融合蛋白（GST-FedA／ab、GST-Fe-dA／ac、GST-FedE、（；STFed-F／ab、GST-FedF／ac）分组肌肉注射健康家兔，制备抗FedA／ab、Fe-dA／ac、FedE、FedF／ab、FedF／ac多价血清。结果表明，所制备的5种抗Fed多价血清均能凝集F18ab^＋。大肠埃希氏菌107／86株和F18ac^＋大肠埃希氏菌8813株。利用抗大肠埃希氏菌F18菌毛主要结构亚单位FedA特异抗体和次要结构亚单位FedE、FedF特异抗体，研究了F18菌毛与小肠上皮细胞的黏附特性。结果发现，FedA抗体和FedE抗体单独和合并均不能抑制F18^＋菌与小肠上皮细胞的黏附，而单用抗FedF抗体即能明显抑制F18^＋大肠埃希氏菌与小肠上皮细胞的黏附，表明FedA和FedE与F18菌毛的黏附不具相关性，而FedF才是F18菌毛的黏附性结构亚单位。     

Serological, enterotoxin-producing and biochemical properties of Escherichia coli isolated from piglets with neonatal diarrhea in Norway

Altogether 235 strains of Escherichia coli isolated from jejunal content of piglets with neonatal diarrhea were examined for serological, enterotoxin-producing and certain biochemical properties. Of 198 strains examined, 84 (42 %) belonged to O-group 149, while 14 (7 %) strains belonged to each of the O-group s 8 and 64. Seventy strains (30%) could not be grouped with the sera used. The remaining strains were distributed among the following O-groups with only a few strains in each group: 2,6,9,32,45,98 and 141. Eighty out of 84 E. coli strains of O-group 149 possessed the K88 antigen and produced heat labile enterotoxin (LT). Besides, LT production was demonstrated in 3 out of 14 strains of E. coli 08. K88 antigen was demonstrated in only 1 strain not belonging to O-group 149. Among strains of E. coli 064 12 out of 14 were K99 positive. This antigen was not demonstrated in E. coli strains of other O-groups. A close relationship was demonstrated between strains of E. coli 0149 possessing the K88 antigen and the ability to ferment both raffinose and adonitol. This ability was only detected in 2 other strains of E. coli not belonging to O-group 149.     

大肠杆菌菌毛基因多重PCR检测方法的建立与初步应用

为建立一种可以同时扩增大肠杆菌(E.coli)F4、F5、F6、F41和F18菌毛基因保守序列的多重PCR检测方法,本研究设计合成5对分别针对F4、F5、F6、F41和F18菌毛基因的特异性引物,以具有相应菌毛基因的E.coli参考菌株DNA为模板,通过对多重PCR反应条件的优化,建立了检测F4、F5、F6、F41和F18菌毛基因的多重PCR方法。所建立的多重PCR方法能够特异性扩增F4、F5、F6、F41、F18菌毛基因的目的片段,大小分别为770 bp、533 bp、422 bp、643 bp和1140 bp,该方法对沙门氏菌、猪丹毒杆菌、巴氏杆菌以及无菌毛基因的E.coli等参考菌株均无特异性扩增片段,检出F4、F5、F6、F41和F18菌毛基因的最低活菌浓度分别为5.3×10^5cfu/mL、3.7×10^6cfu/mL、3.1×10^5cfu/mL、3.7×10^7cfu/mL、6.9×10^5cfu/mL。用不同批次的引物和试剂进行3次多重PCR检测均能扩增出目的条带,表明建立的多重PCR方法有很好的批内和批间重复性。对90株大肠杆菌临床分离菌株菌毛基因进行检测,F4阳性率为3.33%,F5阳性率为2.22%,未检测到F6、F41和F18阳性菌株,其检测结果与常规单一PCR的检测结果一致。研究表明:建立的E.coli菌毛基因多重PCR分型方法具有很好的特异性、敏感性和重复性,可用于E.coli分离菌株菌毛基因型的快速鉴定,同时提高了检测效率。     

Relationship between production of enterotoxin and various drug resistance patterns in strains of Escherichia coli isolated from piglets suffering from colienterotoxaemia.

The relationship between production of enterotoxin and drug resistance patterns in 92 E. coli strains isolated from the jejunal content from piglets suffering from colienterotoxaemia was investigated. The drugs included were Oxytetracycline, streptomycin, sulphaisodimidin, neomycin, ampicillin and chloramphenicol. The frequency with which transmission of drug resistance occurred as well as the O-groups of these strains were also recorded.Fifty-one E. coli strains produced enterotoxin. Of these, 42 (approx. 82 %) produced the LT. The same number of strains also produced the ST. Strains simultaneously producing both enterotoxins thus constituted approx. 64 % of the enterotoxin-producing strains. The E. coli strains were divided in 7 groups, each representing different drug resistance patterns. Statistical analysis showed that the various categories of enterotoxin production mentioned above were more frequently found in strains simultaneously resistant to Oxytetracycline, streptomycin and sulphaisodimidin than in strains belonging to the other drug resistance groups in general.Transmission of drug resistance was demonstrated in all resistance pattern groups. Approx. 50–70 % of the enterotoxin-producing strains showed drug transmission. The O-groups 138 and 149 constituted 8 and 54 out of the 62 typable strains, respectively.     

Identification of infant and adult swine susceptible to enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli by detection of receptors for F4(K88)ac fimbriae in brush borders or feces.

We attempted to determine F4(K88)-adhesive and non-adhesive phenotypes of infant (neonatal <3 day old and weaned <4 week old pigs) and adult (>6 month old) swine by ELISA using immobilized F4(K88)ac fimbrial antigen or whole F4(K88) + E. coli cells (strains M1823 and 1476) and isolated small intestinal brush borders or easily-obtainable fecal samples from the same animals. Nineteen of 22 neonates (86%), 17 of 20 weaners (85%), and 26 of 39 adults (67%) were classified identically as F4(K88) receptor-positive or negative by the ELISA. The ELISA with feces from adult swine was found to be almost equally specific (87%) as that with feces from neonatal (90%) and weaned (91%) pigs. However, the sensitivity of the assay was low (38%), indicating that fecal samples from adults contained less receptor-material than necessary for comparable phenotyping. The receptor-positive brush borders from neonates and weaners reacted significantly better (P < 0.02, < 0.001 respectively) with purified F4(K88) antigen than did those from adults. There was good agreement between the average ELISA values for feces from infant and adult swine regardless the source of coating antigen applied. With this assay we can determine F4(K88) phenotypes of infant swine using easily-collected fecal samples rather than isolated brush borders. It was also concluded that tested feces is not an acceptable alternate source of the receptor-material to brush borders from F4(K88)-susceptible adult swine.     

Observations on production of hemolysin, heat-labile enterotoxin and antimicrobial drug resistance among enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli from pigs.

A total of 52 isolates of Escherichia coli belonging to enterotoxigenic serotypes from piglets with diarrhea were examined for hemolysis, production of cholera-like enterotoxin (LT) and susceptibility to 10 antimicrobial drugs. A strong association between production of LT and hemolysis was seen. Ninety percent of 29 hemolylic isolates were LT⁺ whereas 100% of 23 nonhemolytic isolates were LT⁻ in a commercial latex agglutination assay. Antimicrobial susceptibility tests employing disc diffusion showed that resistance to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMS), neomycin and tetracycline was significantly less among LT⁺ isolates compared to LT⁻ ones. Enrofloxacin was the only antimicrobial drug to which all the 52 isolates were susceptible.     

强制补饲对早期断奶仔猪腹泻及消化道的影响

选用二元杂交仔猪10窝,随机分为对照组和试验组,8日龄时开始补饲,对照组自由采食,试验组在自由采食基础上,增加强制补饲至21日龄.结果表明,强制补饲可明显增加28日龄断奶仔猪断奶前的饲粮采食量:试验组(600.6±29.97)g,对照组(202.6±16.59)g(P<0.01);断奶前后日增重显著提高(P<0.01);断奶后仔猪腹泻频率显著降低:试验组(14.78±2.13)%,对照组(45.75±6.26)%(P<0.01);28日龄胃内pH值低于4,显著低于对照组(P<0.05);肠道内大肠杆菌数量显著低于对照组(P<0.01);35日龄时,试验组胃质量显著大于对照组(P<0.05),胃和十二指肠黏膜绒毛显著高于对照组(P<0.05).     

Immunological properties of porcine enterotoxigenic Escherichia Coli heat-stable (ST) enterotoxins

Cross-linking semipurified and purified heat-stable enterotoxin (2023 ST) to carrier proteins with glutaraldehyde pigs and rabbits were immunized. With ST antisera thus raised, a relatively simple, two-step method for isolation of ST is described. The method involved immunoadsorbent column chromatography procedure, and elution of the retained material with 6 M urea at pH 3.0 yielded purified ST with enterotoxin activity, controlled in suckling mouse test. ST purity was checked with a special staining technique in PAGE, anionic-exchange chromatography and immunodiffusion.     

特异性IgY抗仔猪断奶腹泻机理的研究概况

针对仔猪断奶腹泻（Post—weaning Escherichia coli diarrhea，PWECD）这一仔猪断奶后的常见病和多发病的病原特异性，阐述了利用K88和F18等特异性菌毛作为抗原免疫产蛋母鸡制备的抗PWECD特异性卵黄抗体对大肠埃希氏菌引起的断奶仔猪腹泻的作用机理。认为，特异性IgY用于防治PWECD，具有安全、高效、成本低、产率高、稳定性好，无药物残留，不会产生耐药性，符合现代动物管理理念等诸多优点，是一种能有效防治PWECD的绿色生物制剂，应用前景广阔。     

Escherichia coli strains isolated from diarrheic piglets in the Province of Quebec.

During 1972 to 1974, 112 Escherichia coli strains isolated from diarrheic piglets were recieved from different parts of the Province of Quebec, Canada. Fifty-six strains elicited a positive gut loop response in three week old piglets and were then considered as Moon's class 1 enteropathogens, while four of the 56 remaining strains reacted only in ten day old piglets and were classified as class 2 enteropathogens. Forty-eight strains produced both a heat-labile and a heat-stable enterotoxin, while 12 isolates which included the four class 2 enteropathogens produced only a heat-stable enterotoxin. Fifty-one enterotoxigenic strains could be serogrouped using OK antisera against E. coli strains commonly associated with colibacillosis in piglets. The most common serogroups encountered were O157: K "V17"; 88a,c, O149:K91; 88a.c. O157:K"V1c, O149:K91; 88a.c, O157:K"V17"; 88 a,c or a,b and O45:K"E5"; 88a,c. No significant difference was observed in the fermentation patterns, antibiotic susceptibility, colicin production, production of a filterable hemolysin and transferable tetracycline resistance between the enterotoxigenic and the nonenterotoxigenic strains.     

Characterization of shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli strains isolated from calves in Poland

Fecal samples from 67 3–5-months-old calves with diarrhea were screened for the presence of shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC). Several accessory virulence factors genes were also tested. Among 192 E.coli isolates tested, 15 (7.6%) were found to harbour the shiga toxin 1 or 2 (stx1 or stx2) genes. The stx2-carrying samples were further subtyped by PCR for the stx2c, stx2d, and stx2e toxin variants. It was shown that stx2-positive bacteria mainly possessed the stx2c shiga toxin type gene. The enterohemolysin (hlyA) and intimin (eae) genes were found in seven (46.7%) STEC strains whereas the cytotoxic necrotizin factor 1 and 2 or the P fimbrial genes were detected in two isolates only. This study confirmed that calves are a reservoir of STEC strains (with all pathogenicity genes) that may be virulent for humans.     

鸡致病性埃希氏大肠杆菌不同菌株间同源性抗原的研究

通过兔制备了３株引起鸡败血症的埃希氏大肠杆菌（Ｅ．ｃｏｌｉ）高免血清,对分离自新疆不同地区的３０余株鸡致病性Ｅ．ｃｏｌｉ进行了玻板凝集试验和双向免疫扩散试验。结果证明,在琼扩试验中,不同的Ｅ．ｃｏｌｉ菌株间存在着同源性抗原成份,这种同源性抗原在绝大多数Ｅ．ｃｏｌｉ间都有数种之多。但是,这种相互间的同源抗原在玻板凝集试验中有时并不能表现,甚至有沉淀线出现的血清与抗原之间在玻板凝集试验中也不能检测出来。     

Molecular characteristics of ESBL-producing Escherichia coli isolated from chickens with colibacillosis

BackgroundAvian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) causes colibacillosis, resulting in significant economic losses in the poultry industry.ObjectivesIn this study, the molecular characteristics of two extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing APEC isolates were compared with previously reported ESBL-producing E. coli isolates.MethodsThe molecular characteristics of E. coli isolates and the genetic environments of the ESBL genes were investigated using whole genome sequencing.ResultsThe two ESBL-producing APEC were classified into the phylogenetic groups C and B1 and ST410 and ST162, respectively. Moreover, the ESBL genes of the two isolates were harbored in different Inc plasmids. The EC1809182 strain, harboring the bla_CTX-M-55 gene on the plasmid, exhibited extensive homology to IncFIB (98.4%) and IncFIC(FII) (95.8%). The EC1809191 strain, harboring the bla_CTX-M-1 gene, was homologous to IncI1-I (Gamma) (99.3%). All chromosomes carried the multidrug transporter, mdf(A) gene. Mobile genetic elements, adjacent to CTX-M genes, facilitated the dissemination of genes in the two isolates, analogous to other ESBL-producing E. coli isolates.ConclusionsThis study clarifies the transmission dynamics of CTX-M genes and supports strengthened surveillance to prevent the transmission of the antimicrobial-resistant genes to humans via the food chain.