Expression of aggregative adherence to hela cells by Escherichia coli strains isolated from sick horses

The virulence attributes of 56 Escherichia coli strains isolated from sick horses (secretions of uterine cervices; gastrointestinal and lung fragments of necropsy; diarrheic feces, and tracheal washings) was examined by determining their adherence pattern to HeLa cells and searching for the presence of virulence genes of the various E. coli pathotypes. Two non-adherent strains presented astA, which encodes the enteroaggregative E. coli heat-stable toxin. Twenty-seven strains (48.2%) adhered to HeLa cells, 21 (77.8%) of which presented the aggregative adherence pattern (AA) that characterize the Enteroaggregative E. coli pathotype (EAEC). Nine of the strains presenting AA were isolated from secretions of uterine cervix, including one carrying virulence genes of the EAEC pathotype (aggR,aap,irp2, and pic). This is the first description of the AA phenotype amongst E. coli strains from sick horses. Such strains should be further evaluated regarding their potential role in the pathogenesis of diverse equine diseases and as reservoirs of human infections.

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Liberatore,Ana Maria Alvim, Tomita,Sandra Kimie, Vieira,Mônica Aparecida Midolli, Toti Jr.,Cyro, Heckmaier,João, Gomes,Tânia Aparecida Tardelli
Format: Digital revista
Language:English
Published: Sociedade Brasileira de Microbiologia 2007
Online Access:http://old.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1517-83822007000100003
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