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Detection and characterization of potentially hybrid enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC) strains isolated from urinary tract infection

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Abstract

Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) have the potential to receive the virulence markers of intestinal pathotypes and transform into various important hybrid pathotypes. This study aimed to investigate the frequency and characteristics of hybrid enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC)/UPEC strains. Out of 202 UPEC strains, nine (4.5%) were detected as hybrid EAEC/UPEC. These strains carried one to four iron uptake systems. Among nine investigated pathogenicity islands (PAIs), PAI IV536, PAI II536, and PAI ICFT073 were found in 9 (100%), 3 (33.3%), and 1 (11.1%) strains, respectively. The chuA and sitA genes were detected in 5 (55.5%) and 3 (33.3%) hybrid strains, respectively. Six hybrid strains were found to be typical extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC) according to their virulence traits. Most of the hybrid strains belonged to the phylogenetic group E (6/9). Among the hybrid strains, seven (7/9) were able to form biofilm and adhere to cells; however, only two strains penetrated into the HeLa cells. Our findings reveal some of the virulence characteristics of hybrid strains that lead to fitness and infection in the urinary tract. These strains, with virulence factors of intestinal and non-intestinal pathotypes, may become emerging pathogens in clinical settings; therefore, further studies are needed to reveal their pathogenicity mechanisms and so that preventive measures can be taken.

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Funding

The present study was partially funded by Ferdowsi University of Mashhad (Grant No. FUM. 48976).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran

    Shima Moazeni, Mahdi Askari Badouei & Gholamreza Hashemitabar

  2. Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran

    Seyedeh Elham Rezatofighi & Fahimeh Mahmoodi

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  1. Shima Moazeni
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  2. Mahdi Askari Badouei
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Contributions

MAB designed and supervised the study. SM conducted the main laboratory experiments and some complementary tests were carried out by SER and FM. SM, MAB, GH, SER and FM contributed in data analysis. SM, MAB and SER contributed in writing the initial draft and all authors edited and approved the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Mahdi Askari Badouei.

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Ethics approval

The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad. The study was performed in accordance with the ethical standards as laid down in the 1964 Declaration of Helsinki and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards. The research was performed on bacterial isolates collected from clinical samples that were already cultured as part of the routine work in the Microbiology laboratories of hospitals. Before collecting information, participants or parents (for children cases) were asked to read, accept and sign an informed consent form.

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The authors declare no competing interests.

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Moazeni, S., Askari Badouei, M., Hashemitabar, G. et al. Detection and characterization of potentially hybrid enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC) strains isolated from urinary tract infection. Braz J Microbiol 55, 1–9 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42770-023-01195-9

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