[Differences in pattern of pathogenicity genes in Escherichia coli strains producing shiga-like toxin].

AIM

The detection by PCR of virulence markers in clinical strains of Escherichia coli strains producing the shiga-like toxin.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty-four strains of STEC isolated from patients with acute intestinal infection were studied. PCR with primers to following 10 genes of pathogenicity: rfbE, eaeA, iha, saa, stx1, stx2, cdt, cubA, ehx and espP was utilized. Susceptibility of isolated to antibiotics was determined. Presence of class I integrons in bacterial cells was assessed.

RESULTS

rfbE gene coding antigen of serogroup O157 was detected in 31 out of 34 isolates. Twenty-three (74.2%) strains of E. coli O157 had typical pattern of pathogenicity genes (rfbE, eaeA, stx1, stx2, ehx, and espP). In 12 out of 23 cultures (52.2%) sequence of iha gene was detected. Presence of cdt genes was revealed only in 2 clonical isolates belonging to serogroup O157 isolated in Moscow. Two out of 11 strains isolated in Tula region did not have rfbE and eaeA sequences but had sequences saa and subA, which were absent in other studied strains of STEC. Genes of class I integrons were not found in all studied strains although some of them were resistant to sulfonamides, tetracyclines, and aminoglycosides.

CONCLUSION

Heterogeneity in pattern of pathogenicity genes was demonstrated in E. coli producing shiga-like toxin that points to circulation of different cultures among patients with acute intestinal infection, which is necessary to consider during analysis of clinical isolates.