Title |
Correlation between In Vivo Biofilm Formation and Virulence Gene Expression in Escherichia coli O104:H4
|
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Published in |
PLOS ONE, July 2012
|
DOI | 10.1371/journal.pone.0041628 |
Pubmed ID | |
Authors |
Rim Al Safadi, Galeb S. Abu-Ali, Rudolph E. Sloup, James T. Rudrik, Christopher M. Waters, Kathryn A. Eaton, Shannon D. Manning |
Abstract |
The emergence of novel pathogens poses a major public health threat causing widespread epidemics in susceptible populations. The Escherichia coli O104:H4 strain implicated in a 2011 outbreak in northern Germany caused the highest frequency of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) and death ever recorded in a single E. coli outbreak. Therefore, it has been suggested that this strain is more virulent than other pathogenic E. coli (e.g., E. coli O157:H7). The E. coli O104:H4 outbreak strain possesses multiple virulence factors from both Shiga toxin (Stx)-producing E. coli (STEC) and enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC), though the mechanism of pathogenesis is not known. Here, we demonstrate that E. coli O104:H4 produces a stable biofilm in vitro and that in vivo virulence gene expression is highest when E. coli O104:H4 overexpresses genes required for aggregation and exopolysaccharide production, a characteristic of bacterial cells residing within an established biofilm. Interrupting exopolysaccharide production and biofilm formation may therefore represent effective strategies for combating future E. coli O104:H4 infections. |
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Unknown | 4 | 40% |
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Science communicators (journalists, bloggers, editors) | 2 | 20% |
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Mendeley readers
Geographical breakdown
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Researcher | 12 | 15% |
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Student > Postgraduate | 6 | 7% |
Other | 16 | 20% |
Unknown | 7 | 9% |
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Environmental Science | 2 | 2% |
Other | 5 | 6% |
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