scholarly journals Transmission of Escherichia coli from Manure to Root Zones of Field-Grown Lettuce and Leek Plants

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 2289
Author(s):  
Leo van Overbeek ◽  
Marie Duhamel ◽  
Stefan Aanstoot ◽  
Carin Lombaers van der Plas ◽  
Els Nijhuis ◽  
...  

Pathogenic Escherichia coli strains are responsible for food-borne disease outbreaks upon consumption of fresh vegetables and fruits. The aim of this study was to establish the transmission route of E. coli strain 0611, as proxy for human pathogenic E. coli, via manure, soil and plant root zones to the above-soil plant compartments. The ecological behavior of the introduced strain was established by making use of a combination of cultivation-based and molecular targeted and untargeted approaches. Strain 0611 CFUs and specific molecular targets were detected in the root zones of lettuce and leek plants, even up to 272 days after planting in the case of leek plants. However, no strain 0611 colonies were detected in leek leaves, and only in one occasion a single colony was found in lettuce leaves. Therefore, it was concluded that transmission of E. coli via manure is not the principal contamination route to the edible parts of both plant species grown under field conditions in this study. Strain 0611 was shown to accumulate in root zones of both species and metagenomic reads of this strain were retrieved from the lettuce rhizosphere soil metagenome library at a level of Log 4.11 CFU per g dry soil.

2007 ◽  
Vol 189 (8) ◽  
pp. 3228-3236 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy J. Johnson ◽  
Subhashinie Kariyawasam ◽  
Yvonne Wannemuehler ◽  
Paul Mangiamele ◽  
Sara J. Johnson ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Escherichia coli strains that cause disease outside the intestine are known as extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC) and include human uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) and avian pathogenic E. coli (APEC). Regardless of host of origin, ExPEC strains share many traits. It has been suggested that these commonalities may enable APEC to cause disease in humans. Here, we begin to test the hypothesis that certain APEC strains possess potential to cause human urinary tract infection through virulence genotyping of 1,000 APEC and UPEC strains, generation of the first complete genomic sequence of an APEC (APEC O1:K1:H7) strain, and comparison of this genome to all available human ExPEC genomic sequences. The genomes of APEC O1 and three human UPEC strains were found to be remarkably similar, with only 4.5% of APEC O1's genome not found in other sequenced ExPEC genomes. Also, use of multilocus sequence typing showed that some of the sequenced human ExPEC strains were more like APEC O1 than other human ExPEC strains. This work provides evidence that at least some human and avian ExPEC strains are highly similar to one another, and it supports the possibility that a food-borne link between some APEC and UPEC strains exists. Future studies are necessary to assess the ability of APEC to overcome the hurdles necessary for such a food-borne transmission, and epidemiological studies are required to confirm that such a phenomenon actually occurs.


Author(s):  
Olatunji Matthew Kolawole ◽  
Oluwasanmi Anuoluwapo Adeyemi

Introduction: Escherichia coli, an indicator of feacal contamination has been proven to be the cause of several disease outbreaks in countries and continents around the world. Aim: To determine the genotypic variants of Escherichia coli present in Oyun River and provide information regarding the high-risk variants of E. coli in Oyun River. Study Design: The study cuts across the two seasons of Nigeria’s tropical climate weather, being the peak of the Harmattan season and the onset of the Rainy season. Three sampling sites (Jimba Oja; Unilorin Dam and Oyun in Ilorin, Kwara State) along the River course were examined for three months (February – April). Methodology: Heterotrophic counts, coli form counts and molecular characterization via PCR   using 16 sRNA primers, of water samples were done using standard microbiological and molecular methods. Results: Bacteriological results showed monthly mean values of microbial counts, ranged from 23.5 x 106 – 45.17 x 106 cfu/mL and total coli form count ranged from 53 cfu/100 mL to 256 cfu/100 mLs, both of which exceed the WHO standards of 100 cfu/mL for total microbial count and <1 cfu/100 mLs for total coliforms. A total of forty-eight coliforms were isolated, thirty two of which were Escherichia coli. Sequencing and BLAST analysis of eleven of the isolates using NCBI’s online database revealed five different strains. They include: Escherichia coli FAP1 genome (9.1%); Escherichia coli strain ST2747 (54.5%); Escherichia coli strain EADK4 (9.1%); Escherichia coli strain ST540 (18.2%) and Escherichia coli strain NCM3722 (9.1%). Correlation of results with previous studies showed that most of the strains identified were pathogenic. The E. coli strains isolated, coupled with the bacterial load, coliform count and some physicochemical parameters of Oyun River makes it unsafe for public consumption if not treated. Efforts therefore should be made to treat the water before use, while making frantic efforts to prevent further contamination of Oyun River.


Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 549
Author(s):  
Julia Ittensohn ◽  
Jacqueline Hemberger ◽  
Hannah Griffiths ◽  
Maren Keller ◽  
Simone Albrecht ◽  
...  

The uropathogenic Escherichia coli strain CFT073 causes kidney abscesses in mice Toll/interleukin-1 receptor domain-containing protein C (TcpC) dependently and the corresponding gene is present in around 40% of E. coli isolates of pyelonephritis patients. It impairs the Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling chain and the NACHT leucin-rich repeat PYD protein 3 inflammasome (NLRP3) by binding to TLR4 and myeloid differentiation factor 88 as well as to NLRP3 and caspase-1, respectively. Overexpression of the tcpC gene stopped replication of CFT073. Overexpression of several tcpC-truncation constructs revealed a transmembrane region, while its TIR domain induced filamentous bacteria. Based on these observations, we hypothesized that tcpC expression is presumably tightly controlled. We tested two putative promoters designated P1 and P2 located at 5′ of the gene c2397 and 5′ of the tcpC gene (c2398), respectively, which may form an operon. High pH and increasing glucose concentrations stimulated a P2 reporter construct that was considerably stronger than a P1 reporter construct, while increasing FeSO4 concentrations suppressed their activity. Human urine activated P2, demonstrating that tcpC might be induced in the urinary tract of infected patients. We conclude that P2, consisting of a 240 bp region 5′ of the tcpC gene, represents the major regulator of tcpC expression.


1970 ◽  
Vol 18 ◽  
pp. 99-103 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Biswas ◽  
MAK Parvez ◽  
M Shafiquzzaman ◽  
S Nahar ◽  
MN Rahman

Context: Escherichia coli is shed in the feces of warm blooded animals and humans and thus potential for public health. Detection and characterization of E. coli in the ready-to-eat (RTE) foods concerns due to their presence indicates fecal contamination of the food.   Objective: To identify, characterize and RFLP pattern analysis of E. coli isolated from RTE foods vended in Islamic University campus, Kushtia.   Materials and Methods: Fifty samples from four types of consumed foods in six student halls of residence, some temporary restaurants of Islamic University, Kushtia were assessed for bacterial contamination by standard methods. Identification and characterization of E. coli isolates were performed using IMViC tests. Genomic DNA was used to perform RFLP pattern analysis.   Results: Thirty seven out of 50 (74%) examined samples of RTE foods had E. coli contamination. The highest number of E. coli was isolated from vegetable oriented RTE foods (90.90%) and fish, meat and cereals samples were also significantly E. coli positive. RFLP profiling of two E. coli isolates were observed.   Conclusion: The results of this study provide evidence that some RTE foods had unsatisfactory levels of contamination with E. coli. Thus street vended RTE food could be important potential vehicles for food-borne diseases. Molecular characterization may be exploited to identify food borne pathogen among different species.  Keywords: Ready-to-eat foods; Escherichia coli; RFLP pattern DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbs.v18i0.8783 JBS 2010; 18(0): 99-103


2003 ◽  
Vol 228 (4) ◽  
pp. 331-332 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hussein S. Hussein ◽  
Stanley T. Omaye

Verotoxin-producing Escherichia coli (VTEC) have emerged in the past two decades as food-borne pathogens that can cause major outbreaks of human illnesses worldwide. The number of outbreaks has increased in recent years due to changes in food production and processing systems, eating habits, microbial adaptation, and methods of VTEC transmission. The human illnesses range from mild diarrhea to hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) that can lead to death. The VTEC outbreaks have been attributed to O157:H7 and non-O157:H7 serotypes of E. coli. These E. coli serotypes include motile (e.g., O26:H11 and O104:H21) and nonmotile (e.g., O111:H–,0145:H–, and O157:H–) strains. In the United States, E. coli O157:H7 has been the major cause of VTEC outbreaks. Worldwide, however, non-O157:H7 VTEC (e.g., members of the 026, O103, O111, O118, O145, and O166 serogroups) have caused approximately 30% of the HUS cases in the past decade. Because large numbers of the VTEC outbreaks have been attributed to consumption of ruminant products (e.g., ground beef), cattle and sheep are considered reservoirs of these food-borne pathogens. Because of the food safety concern of VTEC, a global perspective on this problem is addressed (Exp Biol Med Vol. 228, No. 4). The first objective was to evaluate the known non-O157:H7 VTEC strains and the limitations associated with their detection and characterization. The second objective was to identify the VTEC serotypes associated with outbreaks of human illnesses and to provide critical evaluation of their virulence. The third objective was to determine the rumen effect on survival of E. coli O157:H7 as a VTEC model. The fourth objective was to explore the role of intimins in promoting attaching and effacing lesions in humans. Finally, the ability of VTEC to cause persistent infections in cattle was evaluated.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. 1662
Author(s):  
Zachary R. Stromberg ◽  
Rick E. Masonbrink ◽  
Melha Mellata

Foodborne pathogens are a public health threat globally. Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC), particularly O26, O111, and O157 STEC, are often associated with foodborne illness in humans. To create effective preharvest interventions, it is critical to understand which factors STEC strains use to colonize the gastrointestinal tract of cattle, which serves as the reservoir for these pathogens. Several colonization factors are known, but little is understood about initial STEC colonization factors. Our objective was to identify these factors via contrasting gene expression between nonpathogenic E. coli and STEC. Colonic explants were inoculated with nonpathogenic E. coli strain MG1655 or STEC strains (O26, O111, or O157), bacterial colonization levels were determined, and RNA was isolated and sequenced. STEC strains adhered to colonic explants at numerically but not significantly higher levels compared to MG1655. After incubation with colonic explants, flagellin (fliC) was upregulated (log2 fold-change = 4.0, p < 0.0001) in O157 STEC, and collectively, Lon protease (lon) was upregulated (log2 fold-change = 3.6, p = 0.0009) in STEC strains compared to MG1655. These results demonstrate that H7 flagellum and Lon protease may play roles in early colonization and could be potential targets to reduce colonization in cattle.


2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryo Yoshida ◽  
Hisashi Hemmi

Abstract Archaea produce unique membrane lipids, which possess two fully saturated isoprenoid chains linked to the glycerol moiety via ether bonds. The isoprenoid chain length of archaeal membrane lipids is believed to be important for some archaea to thrive in extreme environments because the hyperthermophilic archaeon Aeropyrum pernix and some halophilic archaea synthesize extended C25,C25-archaeal diether-type membrane lipids, which have isoprenoid chains that are longer than those of typical C20,C20-diether lipids. Natural archaeal diether lipids possessing longer C30 or C35 isoprenoid chains, however, have yet to be isolated. In the present study, we attempted to synthesize such hyperextended archaeal membrane lipids. We investigated the substrate preference of the enzyme sn-2,3-(digeranylfarnesyl)glycerol-1-phosphate synthase from A. pernix, which catalyzes the transfer of the second C25 isoprenoid chain to the glycerol moiety in the biosynthetic pathway of C25,C25-archaeal membrane lipids. The enzyme was shown to accept sn-3-hexaprenylglycerol-1-phosphate, which has a C30 isoprenoid chain, as a prenyl acceptor substrate to synthesize sn-2-geranylfarnesyl-3-hexaprenylglycerol-1-phosphate, a supposed precursor for hyperextended C25,C30-archaeal membrane lipids. Furthermore, we constructed an artificial biosynthetic pathway by introducing 4 archaeal genes and 1 gene from Bacillus subtilis in the cells of Escherichia coli, which enabled the E. coli strain to produce hyperextended C25,C30-archaeal membrane lipids, which have never been reported so far.


2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (8) ◽  
pp. 258 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia Combarros-Fuertes ◽  
Leticia M. Estevinho ◽  
Rita Teixeira-Santos ◽  
Acácio G. Rodrigues ◽  
Cidália Pina-Vaz ◽  
...  

Several studies have explored the antimicrobial properties of manuka honey (MkH). However, the data available regarding antibacterial action mechanisms are scarcer. The aim of this study was to scrutinize and characterize primary effects of manuka honey (MkH) upon the physiological status of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli (as Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria models, respectively), using flow cytometry (FC) to reveal its antibacterial action mechanisms. Effects of MkH on membrane potential, membrane integrity and metabolic activity were assessed using different fluorochromes in a 180 min time course assay. Time-kill experiments were carried out under the same conditions. Additionally, MkH effect on efflux pumps was also studied in an E. coli strain with an over-expression of several efflux pumps. Exposure of bacteria to MkH resulted in physiological changes related to membrane potential and membrane integrity; these effects displayed slight differences among bacteria. MkH induced a remarkable metabolic disruption as primary physiological effect upon S. aureus and was able to block efflux pump activity in a dose-dependent fashion in the E. coli strain.


2007 ◽  
Vol 70 (2) ◽  
pp. 471-475 ◽  
Author(s):  
NIRIT BERNSTEIN ◽  
SHLOMO SELA ◽  
RIKY PINTO ◽  
MARINA IOFFE

Escherichia coli introduced into the hydroponic growing medium of maize plants was detected 48 h later in the shoot. Decapitation of root tips or severing of the plant root system at the root-shoot junction enhanced bacterial internalization. The density of the bacteria in shoots of plants with damaged roots or removed root systems was 27.8 and 23.9 times higher than that in plants with intact roots, respectively. The concentration of viable cells in the hydroponic solution decreased over time from 9.3 × 106 CFU/ml at the time of inoculation to 8.5 × 101 CFU/ml 4 days thereafter. The number of E. coli cells associated with the roots also decreased with time, but a significant decline appeared only at 4 days postinoculation. At the time of sampling for E. coli presence in the shoot, 102 CFU/ml was present in the nutrient solution and 8 × 103 CFU/g was associated with the roots. The present study is the first to demonstrate internalization of E. coli via the root in a monocotyledonous plant.


2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lejla Imamovic ◽  
Maria-Anna Misiakou ◽  
Eric van der Helm ◽  
Gianni Panagiotou ◽  
Maite Muniesa ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Escherichia coli strain WG5 is a widely used host for phage detection, including somatic coliphages employed as standard ISO method 10705-1 (2000). Here, we present the complete genome sequence of a commercial E. coli WG5 strain.


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