Dataset Information

Impact of whole genome sequencing on the investigation of food-borne outbreaks of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli serogroup O157:H7, England, 2013 to 2017.

ABSTRACT: We aim to provide insight and guidance on the utility of whole genome sequencing (WGS) data for investigating food-borne outbreaks of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O157:H7 in England between 2013 and 2017. Analysis of WGS data delivered an unprecedented level of strain discrimination when compared with multilocus variable number tandem repeat analysis. The robustness of the WGS method ensured confidence in the microbiological identification of linked cases, even when epidemiological links were obscured. There was evidence that phylogeny derived from WGS data can be used to trace the geographical origin of an isolate. Further analysis of the phylogenetic data provided insight on the evolutionary context of emerging pathogenic strains. Publically available WGS data linked to the clinical, epidemiological and environmental context of the sequenced strain has improved trace back investigations during outbreaks. Expanding the use of WGS-based typing analysis globally will ensure the rapid implementation of interventions to protect public health, inform risk assessment and facilitate the management of national and international food-borne outbreaks of STEC O157:H7.

SUBMITTER: Jenkins C

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6352002 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Impact of whole genome sequencing on the investigation of food-borne outbreaks of Shiga toxin-producing <i>Escherichia coli</i> serogroup O157:H7, England, 2013 to 2017.

Jenkins Claire C Dallman Timothy J TJ Grant Kathie A KA

Euro surveillance : bulletin Europeen sur les maladies transmissibles = European communicable disease bulletin 20190101 4

We aim to provide insight and guidance on the utility of whole genome sequencing (WGS) data for investigating food-borne outbreaks of Shiga toxin-producing <i>Escherichia coli</i> (STEC) O157:H7 in England between 2013 and 2017. Analysis of WGS data delivered an unprecedented level of strain discrimination when compared with multilocus variable number tandem repeat analysis. The robustness of the WGS method ensured confidence in the microbiological identification of linked cases, even when epide ...[more]

PMID: 30696532

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Project description:Introduction. Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) can cause severe disease and large outbreaks. In England, the incidence and clinical significance of STEC serogroups other than O157 (non-O157) is unknown due to a testing bias for detection of STEC O157. Since 2013, the implementation of PCR to detect all STEC serogroups by an increasing number of diagnostic laboratories has led to an increase in the detection of non-O157 STEC.Hypothesis/Gap statement. Due to a bias in testing methodologies to select for STEC serogroup O157 in frontline diagnostic laboratories in most countries, very little surveillance data have been previously generated on non-O157 STEC.Aim. Five years (2014-2018) of STEC national surveillance data were extracted and descriptive analysis undertaken to assess disease severity of non-O157 STEC strains.Methods. Data from 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2018 were extracted from the National Enhanced Surveillance System for STEC and analysed.Results. The implementation of Gastrointestinal Polymerase Chain Reaction (GI-PCR) has resulted in a four-fold increase in the detection of non-O157 STEC cases between 2014 and 2018. There were 2579 cases infected with 97 different non-O157 serogroups. The gender distribution was similar amongst STEC O157 and non-O157 STEC cases with 57 and 56 % of cases being female respectively, but a significantly higher proportion of cases (P <0.001) under 5 years of age was observed among STEC O157 (22 %) cases compared to non-O157 STEC (14 %). The most common non-O157 serogroups were O26 (16 %), O146 (11 %), O91 (10 %), O128 (7 %), O103 (5 %) and O117 (3 %). Overall, rates of bloody diarrhoea were highest in O26 (44 %) and O103 (48 %) cases and lowest in STEC O117 cases (17 %). Strains harbouring Shiga toxin stx1a caused the highest proportion of diarrhoea (93 %) and caused the same level of bloody diarrhoea as stx2a (39 %). However, stx2a caused the highest proportion of vomiting (46 %), hospitalisation (49 %) and considerably more HUS (29 %) than other stx profiles.Conclusion. The implementation of PCR targeting stx at diagnostic laboratories has shown that non-O157 STEC, most notably STEC O26, are an emerging risk to public health.

Project description:Escherichia coli O157:H7 is a foodborne pathogen implicated in various multistate outbreaks. It encodes Shiga toxin on a prophage, and Shiga toxin production is linked to phage induction. An E. coli strain, designated 0.1229, that amplified Stx2a production when cocultured with E. coli O157:H7 strain PA2 was identified. Growth of PA2 in 0.1229 cell-free supernatants had a similar effect, even when supernatants were heated to 100°C for 10?min, but not after treatment with proteinase K. The secreted molecule was shown to use TolC for export and the TonB system for import. The genes sufficient for production of this molecule were localized to a 5.2-kb region of a 12.8-kb plasmid. This region was annotated, identifying hypothetical proteins, a predicted ABC transporter, and a cupin superfamily protein. These genes were identified and shown to be functional in two other E. coli strains, and bioinformatic analyses identified related gene clusters in similar and distinct bacterial species. These data collectively suggest that E. coli 0.1229 and other E. coli strains produce a microcin that induces the SOS response in target bacteria. Besides adding to the limited number of microcins known to be produced by E. coli, this study provides an additional mechanism by which stx 2a expression is increased in response to the gut microflora.IMPORTANCE How the gut microflora influences the progression of bacterial infections is only beginning to be understood. Antibiotics are counterindicated for E. coli O157:H7 infections, limiting treatment options. An increased understanding of how the gut microflora directs O157:H7 virulence gene expression may lead to additional treatment options. This work identified E. coli strains that enhance the production of Shiga toxin by O157:H7 through the secretion of a proposed microcin. Microcins are natural antimicrobial peptides that target specific species, can act as alternatives to antibiotics, and mediate microbial competition. This work demonstrates another mechanism by which non-O157 E. coli strains may increase Shiga toxin production and adds to our understanding of microcins, a group of antimicrobials less well understood than colicins.

Dataset Information

Impact of whole genome sequencing on the investigation of food-borne outbreaks of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli serogroup O157:H7, England, 2013 to 2017.

Publications

Impact of whole genome sequencing on the investigation of food-borne outbreaks of Shiga toxin-producing <i>Escherichia coli</i> serogroup O157:H7, England, 2013 to 2017.

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