Whole genome sequencing, molecular typing and in vivo virulence of OXA-48-producing Escherichia coli isolates including ST131 H30-Rx, H22 and H41 subclones

Sci Rep. 2017 Sep 21;7(1):12103. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-12015-0.

Abstract

Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae, including the increasingly reported OXA-48 Escherichia coli producers, are an emerging public health threat worldwide. Due to their alarming detection in our healthcare setting and their possible presence in the community, seven OXA-48-producing, extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli were analysed by whole genome sequencing as well as conventional tools, and tested for in vivo virulence. As a result, five E. coli OXA-48-producing subclones were detected (O25:H4-ST131/PST43-fimH30-virotype E; O25:H4-ST131/PST9-fimH22-virotype D5, O16:H5-ST131/PST506-fimH41; O25:H5-ST83/PST207 and O9:H25-ST58/PST24). Four ST131 and one ST83 isolates satisfied the ExPEC status, and all except the O16:H5 ST131 isolate were UPEC. All isolates exhibited local inflammatory response with extensive subcutaneous necrosis but low lethality when tested in a mouse sepsis model. The bla OXA-48 gene was located in MOBP131/IncL plasmids (four isolates) or within the chromosome (three ST131 H30-Rx isolates), carried by Tn1999-like elements. All, except the ST83 isolate, were multidrug-resistant, with additional plasmids acting as vehicles for the spread of various resistance genes. This is the first study to analyse the whole genome sequences of bla OXA-48-positive ST131, ST58 and ST83 E. coli isolates in conjunction with experimental data, and to evaluate the in vivo virulence of bla OXA-48 isolates, which pose an important challenge to patient management.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Animals
  • Drug Resistance, Bacterial / genetics
  • Escherichia coli / classification
  • Escherichia coli / genetics*
  • Escherichia coli / pathogenicity
  • Escherichia coli Infections / microbiology
  • Escherichia coli Infections / therapy
  • Escherichia coli Proteins / genetics*
  • Escherichia coli Proteins / metabolism
  • Extraintestinal Pathogenic Escherichia coli / classification
  • Extraintestinal Pathogenic Escherichia coli / genetics*
  • Extraintestinal Pathogenic Escherichia coli / pathogenicity
  • Female
  • Genome, Bacterial / genetics
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Middle Aged
  • Molecular Typing
  • Species Specificity
  • Virulence / genetics
  • Whole Genome Sequencing / methods*
  • beta-Lactamases / genetics*
  • beta-Lactamases / metabolism

Substances

  • Escherichia coli Proteins
  • beta-Lactamases
  • beta-lactamase OXA-48, E coli