Article
Genetics & Heredity
Timothy J. Dallman, David R. Greig, Saheer E. Gharbia, Claire Jenkins
Summary: Analysis of STEC O157:H7 genomes revealed that 5-SNP single linkage clusters are useful for detecting outbreak-related cases, while 5-SNP single linkage community clusters without identified epidemiological links are more likely to be temporally and/or geographically related. 10-SNP single linkage clusters occur infrequently and are challenging to investigate.
MICROBIAL GENOMICS
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Ying Hua, Milan Chromek, Anne Frykman, Cecilia Jernberg, Valya Georgieva, Sverker Hansson, Ji Zhang, Ann Katrine Marits, Chengsong Wan, Andreas Matussek, Xiangning Bai
Summary: Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli is associated with a broad spectrum of clinical outcomes in HUS patients, with O157:H7 being the predominant serotype linked to severe renal sequelae. Virulence genes related to severe outcomes are more prevalent in O157:H7 strains, while those related to mild symptoms are evenly distributed across all serotypes. There is high genomic diversity among HUS-associated STEC strains.
Article
Microbiology
Heather M. M. Blankenship, Stephen E. E. Dietrich, Elizabeth Burgess, Jason Wholehan, Marty Soehnlen, Shannon D. D. Manning
Summary: This study conducted a retrospective analysis of 510 clinical STEC isolates using core genome SNP analysis and found that PFGE and MLST could not fully reveal the genetic diversity and relatedness. SNP analysis was able to cluster isolates based on similarity in PFGE and MLST and uncover their phylogenetic relationships. The use of high-quality SNP analysis enabled a more rapid identification of related strains during outbreak investigations. This study demonstrates how public health laboratories can utilize whole-genome sequencing and phylogenetics to identify related strains and uncover important genetic attributes that can guide treatment practices.
Article
Microbiology
R. R. Atitkar, J. R. Hauser, A. R. Melton-Celsa
Summary: In a murine model of STEC infection, the stx(2a) phage lytic genes were found to be unnecessary for the virulence of pathogenic O157:H7 clinical isolates or for the release of Stx2a into bacterial cultures. These findings suggest an alternative mechanism for Stx2a release from STEC strains.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Siobhan C. McCarthy, Guerrino Macori, Gina Duggan, Catherine M. Burgess, Seamus Fanning, Geraldine Duffy
Summary: This study found a high prevalence of STEC circulating within sheep in Ireland, with prevalence related to animal age and seasonality. Sheep harbor a variety of non-O157 STEC, whose prevalence and contribution to human disease have been underinvestigated for many years. A variety of Stx variants were also observed, some of which are of high clinical importance.
APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
David R. Greig, Claire Jenkins, Saheer E. Gharbia, Timothy J. Dallman
Summary: This study utilized long read sequencing technology to analyze the genetic relatedness and microevolutionary events of outbreak isolates, identifying one variant and highlighting systemic errors introduced by sequencing technology. Analysis of the prophage component revealed minor genome rearrangements in the outbreak strains.
MICROBIAL GENOMICS
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Mark Eppinger, Sonia Almeria, Anna Allue-Guardia, Lori K. Bagi, Anwar A. Kalalah, Joshua B. Gurtler, Pina M. Fratamico
Summary: This study investigated the origin of a laboratory-acquired E. coli O157:H7 infection and found that mutant strains in the laboratory were the causative agents. Additionally, the study revealed that the use of antibiotics can increase toxin production.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Kenichi Lee, Atsushi Iguchi, Kazuhiro Uda, Sohshi Matsumura, Isao Miyairi, Kenji Ishikura, Makoto Ohnishi, Junji Seto, Kanako Ishikawa, Noriko Konishi, Hiromi Obata, Ichiro Furukawa, Hiromi Nagaoka, Hirotaka Morinushi, Natsuki Hama, Ryohei Nomoto, Hiroshi Nakajima, Hideaki Kariya, Mitsuhiro Hamasaki, Sunao Iyoda
Summary: This study reports a fatal case of hemolytic uremic syndrome caused by Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli in Japan. The genotype of the isolate was identified as OX18:H2, and whole-genome sequencing revealed 3 potentially pathogenic lineages (OX18:H2, H19, and H34) that have been continuously isolated in Japan.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Immunology
David A. Montero, Richard Garcia-Betancourt, Roberto M. Vidal, Juliana Velasco, Pablo A. Palacios, Daniela Schneider, Carolina Vega, Leonardo Gomez, Hernan Montecinos, Rodrigo Soto-Shara, Angel Onate, Leandro J. Carreno
Summary: Researchers have developed a chimeric protein-based vaccine targeting seven virulence factors of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC), which elicited significant immune responses in mice and provided protection against infection. However, further improvement is needed to enhance the vaccine's efficacy and explore other potential mechanisms of protection.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Stephanie Nouws, Bavo Verhaegen, Sarah Denayer, Florence Crombe, Denis Pierard, Bert Bogaerts, Kevin Vanneste, Kathleen Marchal, Nancy H. C. Roosens, Sigrid C. J. De Keersmaecker
Summary: This study demonstrates the accuracy of whole genome sequencing (WGS) in food safety surveillance by comparing the genomic relationships between clinical isolates and strains isolated from food samples. It also highlights the potential of WGS in revealing outbreaks and guiding epidemiological investigations. Furthermore, the study identifies gaps in the surveillance system and provides suggestions for optimization.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Mauro D. D. Garcia, Maria J. Ruiz, Luis M. M. Medina, Roberto Vidal, Nora L. L. Padola, Analia I. Etcheverria
Summary: The objective of this study was to characterize six colicinogenic Escherichia coli strains and test their inhibitory activity against STEC O157:H7. The results showed that these strains and their colicins have inhibitory activity against STEC O157:H7. PCR and genome sequencing identified various colicins and microcins in these strains, and no genes coding for stx1 and stx2 were detected. The results suggest that colicins could be a potential alternative for reducing the presence of STEC O157:H7.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Ya-Ke Li, Hu Chen, Mei Shu, Chan Zhong, Yan Bi, Huan-Huan Yang, Guo-Ping Wu
Summary: The alkali-resistant phage JN01 showed lytic activities against multiple E. coli strains, including multidrug resistant strains. It exhibited stability under stressed conditions and its genome did not contain known virulence-associated or antibiotic-related genes. Treatment with JN01 reduced viable cell counts of E. coli O157:H7 in milk and raw beef samples, suggesting its potential as a biological control agent for E. coli O157:H7 in food.
LWT-FOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Xi Yang, Qian Liu, Hui Sun, Yanwen Xiong, Andreas Matussek, Xiangning Bai
Summary: This study identified Stx2l-STEC strains from raw mutton and beef in China, showing that these strains belonged to the same O8 serogroup with diverse host range and geographical distribution. Genomic analysis revealed genetic relatedness between human-derived and food-derived strains, highlighting the need for further investigation into the epidemiological traits and pathogenic potential of Stx2l-STEC strains.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Stephen F. Fitzgerald, Mairi C. Mitchell, Anne Holmes, Lesley Allison, Margo Chase-Topping, Nadejda Lupolova, Beth Wells, David L. Gally, Tom N. Mcneilly
Summary: The prevalence of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) serogroup O157 in Scottish wild deer was determined to be low (0.28%). However, identified isolates had high virulence potential and were found in deer feces at high levels, indicating a potential risk to humans. The study also identified a wild deer isolate as a possible source of a human outbreak in Scotland. These findings highlight the importance of food hygiene practices during the processing of wild deer carcasses for human consumption.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Kai Wen Choo, Liang Mao, Azlin Mustapha
Summary: This study isolated a novel Escherichia phage, CAM-21, from a dairy farm environment. CAM-21 showed targeted host specificity towards various serotypes of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli and exhibited a strong inhibitory effect on the growth of E. coli O157:H7. The phage was effective in controlling the bacterial counts in milk, ground beef, and baby spinach.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
David Ruano-Gallego, Daniel A. Yara, Lorenza Di Ianni, Gad Frankel, Stephanie Schuller, Luis Angel Fernandez
Article
Microbiology
Tianqi Li, Enriqueta Garcia-Gutierrez, Daniel A. Yara, Jacob Scadden, Jade Davies, Chloe Hutchins, Alp Aydin, Justin O'Grady, Arjan Narbad, Stefano Romano, Lizbeth Sayavedra
Summary: This study aimed to establish a sensitive and reliable method for detecting SARS-CoV-2 in stool samples. Through ultrafiltration and RNA extraction, the virus was detected in most samples, with the primer set targeting the N1 region providing more reliable results and a limit of detection of 1 viral particle per mg of stool despite high variability at low viral titres.
Article
Microbiology
Daniel Krsek, Daniel Alejandro Yara, Hana Hrbackova, Ondrej Daniel, Andrea Mancikova, Stephanie Schuller, Martina Bielaszewska
Summary: This study found that outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) carrying virulence factors of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) play a role in the pathogenesis of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). The researchers demonstrated that EHEC O157 OMVs can cross the intestinal epithelial barrier (IEB) through both paracellular and transcellular pathways, and this translocation is increased under inflammatory conditions. Importantly, the translocation of EHEC O157 OMVs was confirmed in human colonoids, supporting the physiological relevance of OMVs in the development of HUS.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)