scholarly journals Prevalence and Genomic Characterization of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in Cow-Calf Herds throughout California

2017 ◽  
Vol 83 (16) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jay N. Worley ◽  
Kristopher A. Flores ◽  
Xun Yang ◽  
Jennifer A. Chase ◽  
Guojie Cao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Fresh Produce ◽  
Bacterial Pathogen ◽  
Virulence Gene ◽  
The United States ◽  
Pathogenic Potential ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Cow Calf

ABSTRACT Escherichia coli serotype O157:H7 is a zoonotic food- and waterborne bacterial pathogen that causes a high hospitalization rate and can cause life-threatening complications. Increasingly, E. coli O157:H7 infections appear to originate from fresh produce. Ruminants, such as cattle, are a prominent reservoir of E. coli O157:H7 in the United States. California is one of the most agriculturally productive regions in the world for fresh produce, beef, and milk. The close proximity of fresh produce and cattle presents food safety challenges on a uniquely large scale. We performed a survey of E. coli O157:H7 on 20 farms in California to observe the regional diversity and prevalence of E. coli O157:H7. Isolates were obtained from enrichment cultures of cow feces. Some farms were sampled on two dates. Genomes from isolates were sequenced to determine their relatedness and pathogenic potential. E. coli O157:H7 was isolated from approximately half of the farms. The point prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 on farms was highly variable, ranging from zero to nearly 90%. Within farms, generally one or a few lineages were found, even when the rate of isolation was high. On farms with high isolation rates, a single clonal lineage accounted for most of the isolates. Farms that were visited months after the first visit might have had the same lineages of E. coli O157:H7. Strains of E. coli O157:H7 may be persistent for months on farms. IMPORTANCE This survey of 20 cow-calf operations from different regions of California provides an in depth look at resident Escherichia coli O157:H7 populations at the molecular level. E. coli O157:H7 is found to have a highly variable prevalence, and with whole-genome sequencing, high prevalences in herds were found to be due to a single lineage shed from multiple cows. Few repeat lineages were found between farms in this area; therefore, we predict that E. coli O157:H7 has significant diversity in this area beyond what is detected in this survey. All isolates from this study were found to have pathogenic potential based on the presence of key virulence gene sequences. This represents a novel insight into pathogen diversity within a single subtype and will inform future attempts to survey regional pathogen populations.

scholarly journals Genomic Diversity and Virulence Profiles of Historical Escherichia coli O157 Strains Isolated from Clinical and Environmental Sources

2014 ◽  
Vol 81 (2) ◽  
pp. 569-577 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lydia V. Rump ◽  
Narjol Gonzalez-Escalona ◽  
Wenting Ju ◽  
Fei Wang ◽  
Guojie Cao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
The United States ◽  
Genomic Diversity ◽  
Severe Illness ◽  
Pathogenic Potential ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Virulence Markers ◽  
Virulence Potential ◽  
Food Borne

ABSTRACTEscherichia coliO157:H7 is, to date, the majorE. coliserotype causing food-borne human disease worldwide. Strains of O157 with other H antigens also have been recovered. We analyzed a collection of historic O157 strains (n= 400) isolated in the late 1980s to early 1990s in the United States. Strains were predominantly serotype O157:H7 (55%), and various O157:non-H7 (41%) serotypes were not previously reported regarding their pathogenic potential. Although lacking Shiga toxin (stx) andeaegenes, serotypes O157:H1, O157:H2, O157:H11, O157:H42, and O157:H43 carried several virulence factors (iha,terD, andhlyA) also found in virulent serotypeE. coliO157:H7. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) showed the O157 serogroup was diverse, with strains with the same H type clustering together closely. Among non-H7 isolates, serotype O157:H43 was highly prevalent (65%) and carried important enterohemorrhagicE. coli(EHEC) virulence markers (iha,terD,hlyA, andespP). Isolates from two particular H types, H2 and H11, among the most commonly found non-O157 EHEC serotypes (O26:H11, O111:H11, O103:H2/H11, and O45:H2), unexpectedly clustered more closely with O157:H7 than other H types and carried several virulence genes. This suggests an early divergence of the O157 serogroup to clades with different pathogenic potentials. The appearance of important EHEC virulence markers in closely related H types suggests their virulence potential and suggests further monitoring of those serotypes not implicated in severe illness thus far.

scholarly journals Norwegian Sheep Are an Important Reservoir for Human-Pathogenic Escherichia coli O26:H11

2012 ◽  
Vol 78 (12) ◽  
pp. 4083-4091 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lin T. Brandal ◽  
Camilla Sekse ◽  
Bjørn-Arne Lindstedt ◽  
Marianne Sunde ◽  
Inger Løbersli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Virulence Gene ◽  
Variable Number ◽  
Pathogenic Potential ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Pathogenic Escherichia Coli ◽  
Allele Type ◽  
Group A ◽  
Group B

ABSTRACTA previous national survey ofEscherichia coliin Norwegian sheep detectedeae-positive (eae+)E. coliO26:H11 isolates in 16.3% (80/491) of the flocks. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the human-pathogenic potential of these ovine isolates by comparing them withE. coliO26 isolates from humans infected in Norway. All humanE. coliO26 isolates studied carried theeaegene and shared flagellar type H11. Two-thirds of the sheep flocks and 95.1% of the patients harbored isolates containingarcAallele type 2 andespKand were classified as enterohemorrhagicE. coli(EHEC) (stxpositive) or EHEC-like (stxnegative). These isolates were further divided into group A (EspK2 positive), associated withstx2-EDL933andstcEO103, and group B (EspK1 positive), associated withstx1a. Although thestxgenes were more frequently present in isolates from patients (46.3%) than in those from sheep flocks (5%), more than half of the ovine isolates in the EHEC/EHEC-like group had multiple-locus variable number of tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) profiles that were identical to those seen instx-positive human O26:H11 isolates. This indicates that EHEC-like ovine isolates may be able to acquirestx-carrying bacteriophages and thereby have the possibility to cause serious illness in humans. The remaining one-third of the sheep flocks and two of the patients had isolates fulfilling the criteria for atypical enteropathogenicE. coli(aEPEC):arcAallele type 1 andespKnegative (group C). The majority of these ovine isolates showed MLVA profiles not previously seen inE. coliO26:H11 isolates from humans. However, according to their virulence gene profile, the aEPEC ovine isolates should be considered potentially pathogenic for humans. In conclusion, sheep are an important reservoir of human-pathogenicE. coliO26:H11 isolates in Norway.

scholarly journals Epidemic Emergence in the United States of Escherichia coli Sequence Type 131-H30 (ST131-H30), 2000 to 2009

2017 ◽  
Vol 61 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
James R. Johnson ◽  
Stephen Porter ◽  
Paul Thuras ◽  
Mariana Castanheira
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Single Agent ◽  
Temporal Trends ◽  
Virulence Gene ◽  
The United States ◽  
Sequence Type ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Recent Emergence

ABSTRACT The H30 subclone of Escherichia coli sequence type 131 (ST131-H30) has become the leading antimicrobial resistance E. coli lineage in the United States and often exhibits resistance to one or both of the two key antimicrobial classes for treating Gram-negative infections, extended-spectrum cephalosporins (ESCs) and fluoroquinolones (FQs). However, the timing of and reasons for its recent emergence are inadequately defined. Accordingly, from E. coli clinical isolates collected systematically across the United States by the SENTRY Antimicrobial Surveillance Program in 2000, 2003, 2006, and 2009, 234 isolates were selected randomly, stratified by year, within three resistance categories: (i) ESC-reduced susceptibility, regardless of FQ phenotype (ESC-RS); (ii) FQ resistance, ESC susceptible (FQ-R); and (iii) FQ susceptible, ESC susceptible (FQ-S). Susceptibility profiles, phylogroup, ST, ST131 subclone, and virulence genotypes were determined, and temporal trends and between-variable associations were assessed statistically. From 2000 to 2006, concurrently with the emergence of ESC-RS and FQ-R strains, the prevalence of (virulence-associated) phylogroup B2 among such strains also rose dramatically, due entirely to rapid emergence of ST131, especially H30. By 2009, H30 was the dominant E. coli lineage overall (22%), accounting for a median of 43% of all single-agent and multidrug resistance (68% for ciprofloxacin). H30's emergence increased the net virulence gene content of resistant (especially FQ-R) isolates, giving stable overall virulence gene scores despite an approximately 4-fold expansion of the historically less virulent resistant population. These findings define more precisely the timing and tempo of H30's emergence in the United States, identify possible reasons for it, and suggest potential consequences, including more frequent and/or aggressive antimicrobial-resistant infections.

scholarly journals Rapid Emergence, Subsidence, and Molecular Detection of Escherichia coli Sequence Type 1193-fimH64, a New Disseminated Multidrug-Resistant Commensal and Extraintestinal Pathogen

2019 ◽  
Vol 57 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
James R. Johnson ◽  
Brian D. Johnston ◽  
Stephen B. Porter ◽  
Connie Clabots ◽  
Tricia L. Bender ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Virulence Gene ◽  
The United States ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Sequence Type ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Multiplex Pcr Assay

ABSTRACT Escherichia coli sequence type 1193 (ST1193) is an emerging multidrug-resistant pathogen. We performed longitudinal and cross-sectional surveillance for ST1193 among clinical and fecal E. coli isolates from Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) patients and their household members, other Minnesota centers, and national VAMCs and compared these ST1193 isolates with archival human and canine ST1193 isolates from Australia (2008). We also developed and extensively validated a novel multiplex PCR assay for ST1193 and its characteristic fimH64 (type 1 fimbrial adhesin) allele. We found that ST1193-H64 (where “H64” refers to a phylogenetic subdivision within ST1193 that is characterized by the fimH64 allele), which was uniformly fluoroquinolone resistant, appeared to emerge in the United States in a geographically staggered fashion beginning around 2011. Its prevalence among clinical and fecal E. coli isolates at the Minneapolis VAMC rose rapidly beginning in 2013, peaked in early 2017, and then plateaued or declined. In comparison with other ST14 complex (STc14) isolates, ST1193-H64 isolates were more extensively multidrug resistant, whereas their virulence genotypes were less extensive but included (uniquely) K1 capsule and fimH64. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis separated ST1193-H64 isolates from other STc14 isolates and showed genetic commonality between archival Australian versus recent U.S. isolates, fecal versus clinical isolates, and human versus canine isolates. Three main ST1193 pulsotypes differed significantly in resistance profiles and capsular types; emergent pulsotype 2123 was associated with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole resistance and K1 (versus K5) capsule. These findings clarify ST1193-H64’s temporal prevalence trends as a fluoroquinolone-resistant pathogen and commensal; document clonal subsets with distinctive geographic, temporal, resistance, and virulence gene associations; and establish a new laboratory tool for rapid and simple detection of ST1193-H64.

scholarly journals Genetic Diversity and Pathogenic Potential of Attaching and Effacing Escherichia coli O26:H11 Strains Recovered from Bovine Feces in the United States

2015 ◽  
Vol 81 (11) ◽  
pp. 3671-3678 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah A. Ison ◽  
Sabine Delannoy ◽  
Marie Bugarel ◽  
Kendra K. Nightingale ◽  
Hattie E. Webb ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
The United States ◽  
Pathogenic Potential ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Genomic Plasticity ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Short Palindromic Repeat ◽  
Bovine Feces

ABSTRACTEscherichia coliO26 has been identified as the most common non-O157 Shiga toxin-producingE. coli(STEC) serogroup to cause human illnesses in the United States and has been implicated in outbreaks around the world.E. colihas high genomic plasticity, which facilitates the loss or acquisition of virulence genes. Attaching and effacingE. coli(AEEC) O26 strains have frequently been isolated from bovine feces, and there is a need to better characterize the relatedness of these strains to defined molecular pathotypes and to describe the extent of their genetic diversity. High-throughput real-time PCR was used to screen 178E. coliO26 isolates from a single U.S. cattle feedlot, collected from May to July 2011, for the presence or absence of 25 O26 serogroup-specific and virulence-associated markers. The selected markers were capable of distinguishing these strains into molecularly defined groups (yielding 18 unique marker combinations). Analysis of the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat 1 (CRISPR1) and CRISPR2a loci further discriminated isolates into 24 CRISPR types. The combination of molecular markers and CRISPR typing provided 20.8% diversity. The recent CRISPR PCR target SP_O26-E, which was previously identified only instx2-positive O26:H11 human clinical strains, was identified in 96.4% (161/167 [95% confidence interval, 99.2 to 93.6%]) of thestx-negative AEEC O26:H11 bovine fecal strains. This supports that thesestx-negative strains may have previously contained a prophage carryingstxor could acquire this prophage, thus possibly giving them the potential to become pathogenic to humans. These results show that investigation of specific genetic markers may further elucidate our understanding of the genetic diversity of AEEC O26 strains in bovine feces.

scholarly journals Functional Analysis ofycfRandycfQin Escherichia coli O157:H7 Linked to Outbreaks of Illness Associated with Fresh Produce

2011 ◽  
Vol 77 (12) ◽  
pp. 3952-3959 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaiping Deng ◽  
Siyun Wang ◽  
Xiaoqian Rui ◽  
Wei Zhang ◽  
Mary Lou Tortorello
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Fresh Produce ◽  
The United States ◽  
Sublethal Concentration ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Chloramphenicol Resistance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli ◽  
K 12 ◽  
Postharvest Processing

ABSTRACTFresh produce has been associated with multiple outbreaks of illness caused byEscherichia coliO157:H7. The mechanism ofE. coliO157:H7 survival through postharvest processing of fresh produce needs to be understood to help develop more effective interventions. In our recent transcriptomic study of strain Sakai, an isolate from the 1996 sprout outbreak in Japan, and strain TW14359, an isolate from the 2006 spinach outbreak in the United States, we showed thatycfRwas the most significantly upregulated gene in response to chlorine-based oxidative stress. YcfR is known to be a multiple stress resistance protein and a biofilm regulator inE. coliK-12 strains; however, its role in the pathogenicE. coliO157:H7 has not been clearly defined. In this study,ycfRwas replaced with a chloramphenicol resistance cassette oriented in two different directions to construct polar and nonpolarycfR::catmutants of Sakai and TW14359. Chlorine resistance and survival on spinach leaf surfaces were assessed in the wild-type strains and theycfRmutants. Both polar and nonpolarycfRmutants of Sakai showed significantly less chlorine resistance than their parent strain. In contrast, deletion ofycfRin TW14359 did not change chlorine resistance, indicating thatycfRin these two outbreak-relatedE. coliO157:H7 strains may function differently. In addition, after a 24-h incubation on spinach leaves in a sublethal concentration of chlorine, the Sakai nonpolarycfRmutant exhibited lower survival compared to the wild type. The results suggest a role forycfRin survival of Sakai during chlorine exposure. We also found that the upstreamycfQ, which is annotated as a DNA-binding regulator, acted as a repressor ofycfR. These findings suggest that gene regulation may be a mechanism by whichE. coliO157:H7 strain Sakai could survive in the postharvest processing environment.

scholarly journals The Norepinephrine Metabolite 3,4-Dihydroxymandelic Acid Is Produced by the Commensal Microbiota and Promotes Chemotaxis and Virulence Gene Expression in Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli

2017 ◽  
Vol 85 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nitesh Sule ◽  
Sasi Pasupuleti ◽  
Nandita Kohli ◽  
Rani Menon ◽  
Lawrence J. Dangott ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Virulence Gene ◽  
The United States ◽  
Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia Coli ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Virulence Gene Expression ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Commensal Microbiota

ABSTRACT Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) is a commonly occurring foodborne pathogen responsible for numerous multistate outbreaks in the United States. It is known to infect the host gastrointestinal tract, specifically, in locations associated with lymphoid tissue. These niches serve as sources of enteric neurotransmitters, such as epinephrine and norepinephrine, that are known to increase virulence in several pathogens, including enterohemorrhagic E. coli. The mechanisms that allow pathogens to target these niches are poorly understood. We previously reported that 3,4-dihydroxymandelic acid (DHMA), a metabolite of norepinephrine produced by E. coli, is a chemoattractant for the nonpathogenic E. coli RP437 strain. Here we report that DHMA is also a chemoattractant for EHEC. In addition, DHMA induces the expression of EHEC virulence genes and increases attachment to intestinal epithelial cells in vitro in a QseC-dependent manner. We also show that DHMA is present in murine gut fecal contents and that its production requires the presence of the commensal microbiota. On the basis of its ability to both attract and induce virulence gene expression in EHEC, we propose that DHMA acts as a molecular beacon to target pathogens to their preferred sites of infection in vivo.

scholarly journals Phylogenetic and Molecular Analysis of Food-Borne Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli

2013 ◽  
Vol 79 (8) ◽  
pp. 2731-2740 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisabeth Hauser ◽  
Alexander Mellmann ◽  
Torsten Semmler ◽  
Helen Stoeber ◽  
Lothar H. Wieler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Shiga Toxin ◽  
Virulence Gene ◽  
Human Infection ◽  
Pathogenic Potential ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Food Borne ◽  
Strain Collection ◽  
Integration Sites

ABSTRACTSeventy-five food-associated Shiga toxin-producingEscherichia coli(STEC) strains were analyzed by molecular and phylogenetic methods to describe their pathogenic potential. The presence of the locus of proteolysis activity (LPA), the chromosomal pathogenicity island (PAI) PAI ICL3, and the autotransporter-encoding genesabAwas examined by PCR. Furthermore, the occupation of the chromosomal integration sites of the locus of enterocyte effacement (LEE),selC,pheU, andpheV, as well as the Stx phage integration sitesyehV,yecE,wrbA,z2577, andssrA, was analyzed. Moreover, the antibiotic resistance phenotypes of all STEC strains were determined. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) was performed, and sequence types (STs) and sequence type complexes (STCs) were compared with those of 42 hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS)-associated enterohemorrhagicE. coli(HUSEC) strains. Besides 59 STs and 4 STCs, three larger clusters were defined in this strain collection. Clusters A and C consist mostly of highly pathogeniceae-positive HUSEC strains and some related food-borne STEC strains. A member of a new O26 HUS-associated clone and the 2011 outbreak strainE. coliO104:H4 were found in cluster A. Cluster B comprises onlyeae-negative food-borne STEC strains as well as mainlyeae-negative HUSEC strains. Although food-borne strains of cluster B were not clearly associated with disease, serotypes of important pathogens, such as O91:H21 and O113:H21, were in this cluster and closely related to the food-borne strains. Clonal analysis demonstrated eight closely related genetic groups of food-borne STEC and HUSEC strains that shared the same ST and were similar in their virulence gene composition. These groups should be considered with respect to their potential for human infection.

scholarly journals Clinical and Molecular Correlates of Escherichia coli Bloodstream Infection from Two Geographically Diverse Centers in Rochester, Minnesota, and Singapore

2018 ◽  
Vol 62 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shehara M. Mendis ◽  
Shawn Vasoo ◽  
Brian D. Johnston ◽  
Stephen B. Porter ◽  
Scott A. Cunningham ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Virulence Gene ◽  
Fluoroquinolone Resistance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Gene Profiles ◽  
Clonal Distribution ◽  
To Receive ◽  
Community Onset

ABSTRACT Escherichia coli bacteremia is caused mainly by sequence type complex 131 (STc131) and two clades within its fluoroquinolone-resistance-associated H30 subclone, H30R1 and H30Rx. We examined clinical and molecular correlates of E. coli bacteremia in two geographically distinct centers. We retrospectively studied 251 unique E. coli bloodstream isolates from 246 patients (48 from the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN [MN], and 198 from Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore [SG]), from October 2013 through March 2014. Isolates underwent PCR for phylogroup, STc, blaCTX-M type, and virulence gene profiles, and medical records were reviewed. Although STc131 accounted for 25 to 27% of all E. coli bacteremia isolates at each site, its extended-spectrum-β-lactamase (ESBL)-associated H30Rx clade was more prominent in SG than in MN (15% versus 4%; P = 0.04). In SG only, patients with STc131 (versus other E. coli STc isolates) were more likely to receive inactive initial antibiotics (odds ratio, 2.8; P = 0.005); this was true specifically for patients with H30Rx (odds ratio, 7.0; P = 0.005). H30Rx comprised 16% of community-onset bacteremia episodes in SG but none in MN. In SG, virulence scores were higher for H30Rx than for H30R1, non-H30 STc131, and non-STc131 isolates (P < 0.02 for all comparisons). At neither site did mortality differ by clonal status. The ESBL-associated H30Rx clade was more prevalent and more often of community onset in SG, where it predicted inactive empirical treatment. The clonal distribution varies geographically and has potentially important clinical implications. Rapid susceptibility testing and clonal diagnostics for H30/H30Rx might facilitate earlier prescribing of active therapy.

scholarly journals Extraintestinal Pathogenic and Antimicrobial-Resistant Escherichia coli, Including Sequence Type 131 (ST131), from Retail Chicken Breasts in the United States in 2013

2017 ◽  
Vol 83 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
James R. Johnson ◽  
Stephen B. Porter ◽  
Brian Johnston ◽  
Paul Thuras ◽  
Sarah Clock ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Virulence Genes ◽  
Meat Products ◽  
The United States ◽  
Sequence Type ◽  
The Other ◽  
Antibiotic Resistant ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli

ABSTRACT Chicken meat products are hypothesized to be vehicles for transmitting antimicrobial-resistant and extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli (ExPEC) to consumers. To reassess this hypothesis in the current era of heightened concerns about antimicrobial use in food animals, we analyzed 175 chicken-source E. coli isolates from a 2013 Consumer Reports national survey. Isolates were screened by PCR for ExPEC-defining virulence genes. The 25 ExPEC isolates (12% of 175) and a 2:1 randomly selected set of 50 non-ExPEC isolates were assessed for their phylogenetic/clonal backgrounds and virulence genotypes for comparison with their resistance profiles and the claims on the retail packaging label (“organic,” “no antibiotics,” and “natural”). Compared with the findings for non-ExPEC isolates, the group of ExPEC isolates had a higher prevalence of phylogroup B2 isolates (44% versus 4%; P < 0.001) and a lower prevalence of phylogroup A isolates (4% versus 30%; P = 0.001), a higher prevalence of multiple individual virulence genes, higher virulence scores (median, 11 [range, 4 to 16] versus 8 [range, 1 to 14]; P = 0.001), and higher resistance scores (median, 4 [range, 0 to 8] versus 3 [range, 0 to 10]; P < 0.001). All five isolates of sequence type 131 (ST131) were ExPEC (P = 0.003), were as extensively resistant as the other isolates tested, and had higher virulence scores than the other isolates tested (median, 12 [range, 11 to 13] versus 8 [range, 1 to 16]; P = 0.005). Organic labeling predicted lower resistance scores (median, 2 [range, 0 to 3] versus 4 [range, 0 to 10]; P = 0.008) but no difference in ExPEC status or virulence scores. These findings document a persisting reservoir of extensively antimicrobial-resistant ExPEC isolates, including isolates from ST131, in retail chicken products in the United States, suggesting a potential public health threat. IMPORTANCE We found that among Escherichia coli isolates from retail chicken meat products purchased across the United States in 2013 (many of these isolates being extensively antibiotic resistant), a minority had genetic profiles suggesting an ability to cause extraintestinal infections in humans, such as urinary tract infection, implying a risk of foodborne disease. Although isolates from products labeled “organic” were less extensively antibiotic resistant than other isolates, they did not appear to be less virulent. These findings suggest that retail chicken products in the United States, even if they are labeled “organic,” pose a potential health threat to consumers because they are contaminated with extensively antibiotic-resistant and, presumably, virulent E. coli isolates.

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