Frontiers in Microbiology (Dec 2018)

Novel Hybrid of Typical Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli and Shiga-Toxin-Producing E. coli (tEPEC/STEC) Emerging From Pet Birds

  • Rosely Martins Gioia-Di Chiacchio,
  • Rosely Martins Gioia-Di Chiacchio,
  • Marcos Paulo Vieira Cunha,
  • Lilian Rose Marques de Sá,
  • Yamê Minieiro Davies,
  • Camila Bueno Pacheco Pereira,
  • Fernando Henrique Martins,
  • Danielle Dias Munhoz,
  • Cecilia Mari Abe,
  • Marcia Regina Franzolin,
  • Luis Fernando dos Santos,
  • Beatriz Ernestina Cabilio Guth,
  • Waldir Pereira Elias,
  • Roxane Maria Fontes Piazza,
  • Terezinha Knöbl

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2018.02975
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 9

Abstract

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Exotic psittacine birds have been implicated as reservoir of diarrheagenic Escherichia coli (E. coli), including enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) and Shiga-toxin producing E. coli (STEC). Here, we present a genotypic and phenotypic characterization of typical EPEC/STEC hybrid strains isolated from exotic psittacine birds. The strains were positive for eae, bfpA, and stx2f genes, belong to serotype O137:H6 and ST2678. Two strains were subject to whole genome sequencing, confirming the presence of the virulence factors of both E. coli pathotypes. Phenotypical in vitro tests confirmed their ability to adhere to HeLa cells and cause cytotoxicity to Vero cells. The rabbit ileal loop assays showed the attaching and effacing lesion, in addition to inflammatory process and overproduction of intestinal mucus. This is the first report of hybrid typical EPEC/STEC (O137:H6/ST2678) strains isolated from companion psittacine birds and the results suggest zoonotic risks.

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