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B Rowe

Publications and source records attributed to B Rowe.

At least 253 records · Page 14Linked to original sources

Vero cytotoxin production and presence of VT genes in Escherichia coli strains of animal origin.

Vero cytotoxin (VT) production has been studied in 34 Escherichia coli strains isolated from animals with enteric diseases. The strains were tested by DNA hybridization with probes for VT1 and VT2 sequences and also in toxin neutralization experiments with specific antisera. Twenty bovine strains, belonging to nine different O serogroups, produced VT1 or VT2 but not both toxins. In contrast, all 14 porcine strains of four different O serogroups produced VT2 only. Six of these porcine strains, belonging to serogroups O138, O139 and O141, were isolated from cases of oedema disease. In general, the porcine isolates produced toxin at a lower level than the bovine strains.

Animals↗

HEp-2 adhesion and the expression of a 94 kDa outer-membrane protein by strains of Escherichia coli belonging to enteropathogenic serogroups.

Sixty strains of Escherichia coli belonging to enteropathogenic serogroups (EPEC) were examined for the ability to adhere to HEp-2 cells, the possession of the genes encoding EPEC adherence factor (EAF) and the ability to express an outer-membrane protein (OMP) of 94 kDa thought to be involved in bacterial adhesion to eukaryotic cells. An absolute correlation was found between HEp-2 adhesion and the possession of the genes encoding EAF. An OMP of 94 kDa was observed in the SDS-PAGE profile of most adhesive strains. In some strains this protein was prone to proteolytic degradation. An antiserum raised to a HEp-2 adhesive strain of EPEC did not react with the 94 kDa OMP of all EPEC which were EAF-positive and HEp-2 adhesive, indicating some interstrain antigenic variation of this protein. Although this 94 kDa protein was surface-exposed, specific antibodies binding to the 94 kDa protein in situ in the outer membrane did not interfere with adhesion of EPEC to HEp-2 cells. Therefore, these studies question the value of this protein as a potential vaccine component.

Bacterial Adhesion↗

Vero cytotoxin-producing strains of Escherichia coli from children with haemolytic uraemic syndrome and their detection by specific DNA probes.

Faecal specimens from 66 children with haemolytic uraemic syndrome in the United Kingdom were examined for strains of Escherichia coli producing Vero cytotoxin (VT). Initially, conventional bacteriological methods were used to identify colonies of E. coli which were then tested for VT production. Subsequently, specific DNA probes for VT1 and VT2 were used in hybridisation tests to detect VT-producing E. coli (VTEC). VTEC strains were isolated from 19 cases and in 15 they belonged to serogroup O157. Fourteen of these O157 strains possessed the flagellar antigen H7 and one was non-motile. The VTEC strains from the remaining four cases belonged to serotypes O26:H11, O104:H2, O153:H25, and O163:H19 together with a rough VT+ strain with flagellar antigen H51. The O157 strains hybridised with either the VT2 probe or both VT1 and VT2 probes. The other VTEC strains hybridised with either the VT1 or VT2 probe. Confirmation of the production of VT1 and VT2 in vivo was obtained by the neutralisation of faecal VT with specific antisera raised against these two cytotoxins.

Animals↗

Role of PCF8775 antigen and its coli surface subcomponents for colonization, disease, and protective immunogenicity of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli in rabbits.

The role of the PCF8775 antigen and its antigenic subcomponents, in particular, the coli surface (CS) antigen CS6, as colonization factors and protective antigens was studied in the reversible intestinal tie adult rabbit diarrhea model. This was done by testing the abilities of different mutants which carried one or two of the CS components to colonize the intestine and to induce protective immunity against reinfection with PCF8775-positive enterotoxin-producing Escherichia coli. Infection with enterotoxigenic E. coli carrying CS4-CS6, CS5-CS6, or CS6 alone induced diarrhea in 75% or more of the rabbits, whereas the corresponding nonenterotoxigenic mutants, as well as enterotoxigenic but CS-negative strains, induced diarrhea in only a few cases. Mutants carrying CS6 alone colonized the intestine equally as well as strains carrying CS4-CS6 or CS5-CS6 did, whereas CS-negative mutants were excreted in the stool for a significantly shorter period. Rabbits previously infected with mutants carrying CS6 alone or CS6 in combination with CS4 or CS5 developed diarrhea with a significantly lower frequency after reinfection with a normally highly diarrheagenic dose of enterotoxigenic CS4-CS6-positive E. coli bacteria than did animals immunized with corresponding CS-negative mutants. Fecal excretion of the rechallenge strain was also of considerably shorter duration than that observed after initial infection with corresponding strains in 27 of the 30 animals (90%) immunized with strains carrying CS6 alone or in combination with CS4 or CS5. Such reduced shedding of the challenge strain was only seen in a few rabbits (3 of 12) initially infected with CS-negative bacteria. These results suggest that the CS6 component of PCF8775 is a colonization factor in rabbits and that it is also capable of inducing protective immunity.

Animals↗

Genetic control and properties of coli surface antigens of colonization factor antigen IV (PCF8775) of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli.

Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli producing coli surface antigen 4 (CS4), CS5, and CS6 of colonization factor antigen IV were examined. This factor was originally called putative colonization factor 8775 (PCF8775). All of the coli surface antigens were plasmid coded and were usually carried on the same plasmid as the genes coding for heat-stable toxin (ST) or heat-labile toxin (LT); thus, CS5-CS6-ST, CS6-ST, and CS6-LT plasmids were found. In strains of serotype O25:H42, the genes coding for CS4 and CS6 were on a plasmid separate from that containing the genes coding for ST and LT. CS4 and CS5 were fimbrial antigens with a subunit molecular mass of about 17.0 and 21.0 kilodaltons (kDa), respectively. CS6 was found as a single polypeptide with a molecular mass of about 14.5 kDa in strains of serotypes O25:H42, O27:H7, and O27:H20 when heated extracts were run on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels. CS6-positive extracts of strains of serogroups O148, O159, and O167 showed two bands with molecular masses between 14.5 and 16.0 kDa.

Antigens, Bacterial↗

Clinical and microbiologic features of Shigella and enteroinvasive Escherichia coli infections detected by DNA hybridization.

To determine the clinical and microbiologic features of Shigella and enteroinvasive Escherichia coli (EIEC) infections, we investigated 410 children with diarrhea and 410 control children without diarrhea who were seen at Children's Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand, from January to June 1985. Shigella spp. were isolated from 96 (23%) and EIEC were isolated from 17 (4%) of 410 children with diarrhea and from 12 (3%) and 6 (1%) of 410 control children, respectively. The isolation rates of both pathogens increased with age and peaked in children 3 to 5 years old from whom Shigella spp. were isolated from 38% and EIEC were isolated from 9%. Shigella spp. were isolated from 52% and EIEC were isolated from 7% of 91 children with bloody diarrhea and from 15 and 3% of 319 children with nonbloody diarrhea. Fifteen (65%) of 23 EIEC were lactose positive, and all belonged to recognized EIEC serotypes. Among children with diarrhea, the stool blots of 76% of 17 children infected with EIEC, 45% of 96 children infected with Shigella spp., and 1% of 297 culture-negative children hybridized with the 17-kilobase EcoRI digestion fragment of pRM17, a recombinant plasmid containing DNA derived from the 140-megadalton Shigella flexneri plasmid. Although EIEC colonies can be reliably detected by DNA hybridization, detection by stool blot is less sensitive. Shigella spp. and EIEC are important causes of endemic diarrhea among children greater than 1 year old in Thailand.

Age Factors↗

Salmonella ealing infections associated with consumption of infant dried milk.

In an outbreak of Salmonella ealing infections in November and December, 1985, the proportion of infants infected was in excess of the normal distribution pattern and the cases were geographically widespread. All the infected infants had been fed with a dried-milk product from one manufacturer. Despite intensive efforts to isolate S ealing from packets of the product, it was found only in low numbers in 4 of 267 sealed packets. The source of infection was traced to the factory spray-drier, which had a hole in its inner lining, allowing escape of powder and its return from contaminated insulation material. The plant was closed and the equipment scrapped and later replaced. It is recommended that raw milk and whey, which frequently contain salmonellae, should not be allowed onto the site of milk-drying plants.

Adult↗

Haemorrhagic colitis and Vero-cytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli in England and Wales.

Vero-cytotoxin-producing strains of Escherichia coli (VTEC) were identified by the use of DNA probes in 39% of faecal samples from patients with haemorrhagic colitis in England and Wales. The patients with VTEC were distributed widely and their ages ranged from 2.5 to 86 years (mean 41). 3 patients died, including a child of 2.5 years. 30 of the 32 VTEC strains belonged to serogroup O157. Plating on sorbitol agar for non-fermenters followed by agglutination with a specific O157 antiserum was a useful screening method for O157 VT+ strains. However, it was not as sensitive as the DNA probe technique and did not detect VTEC of other serogroups.

Adolescent↗

Does chloramphenicol remain the drug of choice for typhoid?

Of 2356 strains of Salmonella typhi isolated in Britain in the 8-year period 1978-85, 2345 (99.53%) were sensitive to all antibiotics tested and 11 (0.47%) were chloramphenicol-resistant; chloramphenicol resistance was plasmid-mediated in 6 strains. It is concluded that chloramphenicol remains a satisfactory first-line choice of drug for typhoid fever in Britain.

Chloramphenicol↗

Properties of strains of Escherichia coli belonging to serogroup O157 with special reference to production of Vero cytotoxins VT1 and VT2.

Fifty-four strains of Escherichia coli belonging to serogroup O157 were examined for the production of Vero cytotoxins VT1 and VT2, and for other properties such as plasmid content, resistance to antimicrobial agents and colicin production. Twenty-six strains from cases of diarrhoea, haemorrhagic colitis and haemolytic uraemic syndrome in humans produced VT. By serum neutralization tests and hybridization with DNA probes for VT1 or VT2, three classes were recognized which produced either VT1 alone or VT2 alone or both VT1 and VT2. These strains were of H type 7 or non-motile. The strains producing VT were sensitive to all the antimicrobial agents tested, and all carried at least one plasmid which had a molecular weight of c. 60 X 10(6). Seven strains of porcine origin and 21 strains of human origin did not produce VT or hybridize with either DNA probe. None of these strains was of H type 7. Of the 21 human VT- strains, 17 were of extra-intestinal origin and 18 were of H type 45. Twenty-three of the 28 VT-strains were resistant to at least one antimicrobial agent.

Cytotoxins↗

A phage-typing scheme for Salmonella enteritidis.

For many years phage typing has proved invaluable in epidemiological studies on Salmonella typhi, S. paratyphi A and B, S. typhimurium and a few other serotypes. A phage-typing scheme for S. enteritidis is described. This scheme to date differentiates 27 types using 10 typing phages.

Animals↗

Salmonella serotypes and incidence of multiply-resistant Salmonellae isolated from diarrhoeal patients in Hong Kong from 1973-82.

Salmonella was the most frequent bacterial pathogen isolated from patients with acute diarrhoea in Hong Kong. In Queen Mary Hospital, the major hospital on Hong Kong Island, 94.7% of salmonellae isolated from faecal specimens from patients during the period 1973-82 belonged to the gastroenteric group, while 5.3% belonged to the enteric fever group. Amongst the gastroenteric group, 68 salmonella serotypes were identified, with Salmonella derby, S. typhimurium and S. anatum being the predominant ones. Three outbreaks caused by S. johannesburg, S. worthington and S. wandsworth were detected. Of S. typhimurium, 61.6% were resistant to multiple antibiotics and belonged to four major phage types: 193, 22, 138 and U288. The majority (96.8%) of S. johannesburg strains which caused a widespread epidemic were multiply-resistant. Multiple antibiotic resistance was rarely observed in most other gastroenteric salmonellae. S. typhi was the commonest of the enteric fever group isolated from the blood of patients. Nineteen phage types were identified; E1 being the commonest (18.5%) while 21% were nontypable. Many of these isolated were resistant to streptomycin or sulphadiazine, but none were resistant to ampicillin, chloramphenicol or trimethoprim.

Bacteriophage Typing↗

Outbreak of neonatal Citrobacter diversus meningitis in a suburban hospital.

Between February and June, 1983, four cases of Citrobacter diversus neonatal meningitis were identified at a suburban Baltimore hospital. One of the 4 infants died at age 13 months, 2 (both of whom had brain abscesses) have evidence of developmental delay and 1 appears to be normal after 33 months of follow-up. A review of microbiology records revealed that C. diversus had been present in the hospital nursery prior to identification of the first infant with meningitis, with isolation from infants born 7 months, 4 months and 4 days, respectively, before the first meningitis case. C. diversus was isolated from 21 infants born during the outbreak period and from hand or rectal cultures of 5 nursing personnel. All isolates were biotype E, with two distinct clusters of cases identified on the basis of plasmid profile and serotype. In a case-control study isolation of C. diversus was significantly associated with male sex, low birth weight and care by house pediatricians. The outbreak was controlled by stringent infection control measures and exclusion of personnel carriers. During the 24 months following the outbreak 3431 babies discharged from the nursery were cultured for C. diversus; 3 were colonized with the organism.

Citrobacter↗

Heterogeneity of Escherichia coli phages encoding Vero cytotoxins: comparison of cloned sequences determining VT1 and VT2 and development of specific gene probes.

Phages coding for production of Vero cytotoxins VT1 or VT2 in strains of Escherichia coli serotype O157.H7 or O157.H- were morphologically indistinguishable. Their genome size and restriction enzyme digests of the phage DNA were similar. These phages were clearly different in these respects from a VT1-encoding phage isolated from a strain of E. coli O26.H11 (H19). However the VT1 region cloned from the phage originating in the E. coli O157.H7 strain was identical to the VT1 region previously cloned from the phage carried by H19. Sequences encoding VT2 that were cloned from the phage in E. coli O157.H- have been mapped and the VT2 region identified by transposon insertion. The cloned regions coding for VT1 or VT2 production had no similarities in the presence of restriction enzyme sites over a distance of about 2 kb, and two VT1-specific probes spanning a region of about 1.4 kb did not hybridize under stringent conditions with cloned VT2 DNA. A 2 kb HincII fragment contained the VT2 genes but hybridized to VT1-encoding phages and recombinant plasmids via flanking phage DNA. A 0.85 kb AvaI-PstI fragment was a specific probe for VT2 sequences and did not hybridize under stringent conditions to phages or plasmid recombinants encoding VT1.

Bacterial Toxins↗

Enterotoxigenic strains of Escherichia coli O128 are not restricted to subgroup ac but also belong to subgroups ab and abc.

Ninety strains of Escherichia coli O128 isolated in many different countries were examined. The majority (77 strains) belonged to the antigenic subgroup O128ab, and 41 of these strains produced heat-stable enterotoxin (ST), heat-labile enterotoxin (LT), or both. Eight strains were of the antigenic subgroup O128ac; six produced ST only, and two were nontoxigenic. Five strains were of the antigenic subgroup O128abc; two produced ST and LT, and three were nontoxigenic. Ten of the strains studied produced Vero cytotoxin, and all belonged to the antigenic subgroup O128ab. It was concluded that, contrary to the report of Guth et al. (B. E. C. Guth, M. L. M. Silva, I. C. A. Scaletsky, M. R. F. Toledo, and L. R. Trabulsi, Infect. Immun. 47:338-340, 1985), enterotoxigenic strains of E. coli O128 are not restricted to subgroup ac but also belong to the most common subgroup, ab.

Antigens, Bacterial↗

In strains of Escherichia coli O167 a single plasmid encodes for the coli surface antigens CS5 and CS6 of putative colonization factor PCF8775, heat-stable enterotoxin, and colicin Ia.

Twenty Escherichia coli strains of serogroup O167 were examined. They all produced the two surface antigens CS5 and CS6 of the putative colonization factor PCF8775, together with heat-stable enterotoxin and colicin Ia. A plasmid coding for CS5, CS6, heat-stable enterotoxin, and colicin Ia was demonstrated in each strain.

Antigens, Bacterial↗