Molecular characterization of Escherichia coli strains that cause symptomatic and asymptomatic urinary tract infections

J Clin Microbiol. 2012 Mar;50(3):1027-30. doi: 10.1128/JCM.06671-11. Epub 2011 Dec 21.

Abstract

The differences between Escherichia coli strains associated with symptomatic and asymptomatic urinary tract infections (UTIs) remain to be properly determined. Here we examined the prevalence of plasmid types and bacteriocins, as well as genetic relatedness, in a defined collection of E. coli strains that cause UTIs. Comparative analysis identified a subgroup of strains with a high number of virulence genes (VGs) and microcins M/H47. We also identified associations between microcin genes, VGs, and specific plasmid types.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Asymptomatic Diseases
  • Bacteriocins / analysis
  • Bacteriocins / genetics
  • Cluster Analysis
  • Escherichia coli / classification
  • Escherichia coli / genetics*
  • Escherichia coli / isolation & purification*
  • Escherichia coli Infections / microbiology*
  • Genotype
  • Humans
  • Molecular Typing
  • Plasmids / analysis
  • Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA Technique
  • Urinary Tract Infections / microbiology*
  • Virulence Factors / analysis
  • Virulence Factors / genetics

Substances

  • Bacteriocins
  • Virulence Factors