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

2007; Springer Nature; Volume: 38; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1590/s1517-83822007000100003

1678-4405

Ana Maria Alvim Liberatore, Sandra Kimie Tomita, Mônica A. M. Vieira, Cyro Toti, João Heckmaier, Tânia A. T. Gomes,

Viral gastroenteritis research and epidemiology

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.