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ExPEC‐typical virulence‐associated genes correlate with successful colonization by intestinal E. coli in a small piglet group
Author(s) -
Schierack Peter,
Walk Nicole,
Ewers Christa,
Wilking Hendrik,
Steinrück Hartmut,
Filter Matthias,
Wieler Lothar H.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
environmental microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.954
H-Index - 188
eISSN - 1462-2920
pISSN - 1462-2912
DOI - 10.1111/j.1462-2920.2008.01595.x
Subject(s) - biology , virulence , colonization , microbiology and biotechnology , escherichia coli , feces , gene , fimbria , phylogenetic tree , transmission (telecommunications) , genetics , electrical engineering , engineering
Summary Upon studying the transmission of Escherichia coli from a sow to five of her piglets, we observed domination of the coliform flora in piglets by a single E. coli clone, especially after weaning. This haemolytic cloneH1 did not harbour any virulence determinants typical for intestinal pathogenic E. coli isolates from swine but had a virulence gene profile very similar to extraintestinal E. coli (ExPEC), including genes coding for P fimbriae and several iron acquisition systems, besides having an affiliation to the phylogenetic B2 group. Overall, we show that the presence of higher numbers of ExPEC‐typical virulence‐associated genes (VAGs) in clones correlate with their successful colonization ability in piglets. We conclude that VAGs typical for ExPEC also support intestinal colonization in healthy pigs. Faeces of healthy domestic pigs can harbour high numbers of ExPEC‐similar E. coli and are suggested to be a potential risk for the transmission of such bacteria to other hosts.