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Properties ofEscherichia coli strains of serotype O6

Eigenschaften vonEscherichia coli-Stämmen des Serotyps O6

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Summary

Escherichia coli isolates of serotype O6 show a broad spectrum of virulence: virulent strains often cause urinary tract infections; other strains are considered nonpathogenic. In order to analyze the properties ofE. coli O6 strains, different phenotypic and genotypic test systems were used. Our data indicate that O6 strains represent a rather heterogenous group of bacteria, which differ in the genotypic presence as well as in the phenotypic expression of virulence factors. In contrast to the isolates 536 (O6:K15) and RZ 475 (O6:K5) the strain DSM 6601, belonging to serotype O6:K5:H1, produces neither toxins nor mannose-resistant hemagglutinating (MRHA) adhesins. However, the strain possesses chromosomally located gene clusters coding for F1C (foc) and type I fimbriae (fim). In addition, the strain secretes the iron-uptake substances aerobactin and enterobactin and produces at least one microcin. The strain is serum-sensitive and is less virulent inin vivo animal tests.

Zusammenfassung

Escherichia coli-Isolate des Serotyps O6 zeigen ein breites Virulenzspektrum. Virulente Isolate sind häufig Ursache von Infektionen des Urogenitaltrakts (UTI), andere Stämme werden als apathogen bezeichnet. Zur Untersuchung der Eigenschaften derE. coli O6-Stämme wurden verschiedene phänotypische und genotypische Testsysteme herangezogen. Die Daten belegen, daß es sich bei den O6-Stämmen um eine sehr heterogene Stammgruppe handelt, die sich hinsichtlich des Vorkommens und der Expression von Virulenzfaktoren unterscheidet. Im Gegensatz zu den Stämmen 536 (O6:K15) und RZ 475 (O6:K5) ist der Stamm DSM 6601 (O6:K5:H1) nicht in der Lage, Toxine oder Mannose-resistent hämagglutinierende (MRHA) Adhäsine zu produzieren, er besitzt jedoch chromosomal kodierte F1C- (foc) und ein Typ I-Fimbrien (fim) Gencluster. Zusätzlich produziert der Stamm die Eisenaufnahmesysteme Aerobaktin und Enterobaktin sowie mindestens ein Microcin. Der Stamm ist serumsensitiv und ist inin vivo Tiermodellen wenig virulent.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut für Molekulare Infektionsbiologie, Röntgenring 11, D-97070, Würzburg

    Gabriele Blum &  J. Hacker

  2. Klinikum, Abt. Bakteriologie, Institut für Mikrobiologie der Universität Ulm, Robert-Koch-Str. 8, D-89081, Ulm, Germany

    R. Marre

Authors
  1. Gabriele Blum
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  2. J. Hacker
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  3. R. Marre
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Blum, G., Hacker, J. & Marre, R. Properties ofEscherichia coli strains of serotype O6. Infection 23, 234–236 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01781204

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