Distribution of Campylobacter jejuni multilocus sequence types isolated from chickens in Poland.

Poultry is recognized as the most important source of food-related transmission of Campylobacter jejuni to humans and campylobacteriosis is the most commonly reported zoonotic bacterial disease in the European Union. It has been documented that C. jejuni is genetically diverse and analyses of bacterial isolates usually show a large strain variety. Therefore, molecular typing of strains represents an important tool to study the genetic diversity of isolates and to trace individual strains that cause human infections. The aim of the study was characterization of genetic population structure and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) of C. jejuni isolated from Polish chickens. C. jejuni from chicken ceca and the corresponding carcasses (72 and 61 strains, respectively), originating from 128 flocks in Poland during February 2011 and May 2013, were used in the study. The isolates were tested for their population structure and genetic diversity using a multilocus sequence typing (MLST) scheme with connection to their antimicrobial resistance. The molecular analysis of 133 C. jejuni generated 39 different sequence types (ST); 3 of them were defined for the first time. Additionally, 16 STs were represented by single isolates. The most common STs observed were 6411 (16.5% isolates) and 257 (15.0% strains). The first mentioned ST was resistant to 3 different classes of antibiotics, i.e., quinolones, tetracyclines, and aminoglycosides. Overall, 125 (94.4%) of C. jejuni isolates demonstrated antimicrobial resistance and the most frequent AMR profile observed was ciprofloxacin, nalidixic acid, tetracycline (47.4% strains). Likewise, the clonal complexes CC 257 and CC 353 were defined as the predominant molecular groups covering altogether 37 C. jejuni strains. No associations between CCs and the origin of the samples as well as the place of isolation were found. This study highlights that the C. jejuni population from chickens in Poland was diverse and showed a weak clonal structure.

Prevalence of enterotoxin genes and antimicrobial resistance of coagulase-positive staphylococci recovered from raw cow milk.

Raw milk may be contaminated by enterotoxigenic coagulase-positive staphylococci (CPS). Several of these microorganisms show antimicrobial resistance, which poses a potential risk for consumers. The aim of this study was to determine the occurrence of enterotoxin genes and antimicrobial resistance of CPS isolated from cow milk. A total of 115 samples were analyzed for the presence of CPS according to the International Organization for Standardization standard (ISO 6888-2). The genes were identified using 2multiplex PCR assays. Resistance of the isolates to 10 antimicrobials was determined using the minimum inhibitory concentration method. Overall, 71 samples (62%) were contaminated with CPS and 69 isolates were further analyzed. Among them, 20 (29%) strains harbored the enterotoxin genes. The most commonly detected staphylococcal enterotoxin markers were sed, sej, and ser, whereas none of the analyzed isolates possessed the seb and see genes. Almost one-half of the tested strains (43%) were resistant to one or more antimicrobial agents. Resistance to penicillin was the most common, followed by sulfamethoxazole and chloramphenicol. On the other hand, all strains were susceptible to ciprofloxacin, erythromycin, gentamicin, cefoxitin, and streptomycin. None of the strains was positive for the mecA and mecC (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) genes. These results indicate that enterotoxigenic and antimicrobial-resistant CPS strains are present in raw milk, which may be a potential risk for public health.

Poultry flocks as a source of Campylobacter contamination of broiler carcasses.

Campylobacter infection is the leading foodborne bacterial gastroenteritis worldwide and the bacteria are frequently isolated from the intestines of chickens. The broiler meat contamination with C. jejuni or C. coli may occur during slaughter processing. The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence of Campylobacter in poultry flocks and the corresponding broiler carcasses in 15 districts (voivodeships) all over Poland. A total of 128 samples from broiler flocks and the corresponding carcasses were collected between February 2011 and April 2013. The Campylobacter isolation and species identification were performed according to ISO 10272-1 standard and with PCR. It was found that 112 flock (96.5%) were contaminated with campylobacters, either C. jejuni (77 samples; 68.7%) or C. coli (35 flocks; 31.3%). Analysis of the corresponding chicken carcasses tested after chilling revealed that 77 out of 128 (60.2%) samples were positive for Campylobacter, either C. jejuni (58; 75.3%) or C. coli (19; 24.7%). Most of the carcasses were contaminated with the same Campylobacter species as identified in the corresponding flock before slaughter. As tested by PCR, out of the 77 crops with C. jejuni 58 were positive for the same bacterial species. On the other hand, out of the remaining 35 flocks infected with C. coli, only 19 corresponding carcass samples were contaminated with C. coli. In three cases in the slaughtered flocks C. jejuni was identified but in the same carcasses C. coli was found. The opposite findings (flock positive for C. coli but the corresponding carcasses contaminated with C. jejuni) were seen in six voivodeships. It was also observed that several carcass samples were negative for C. jejuni and C. coli although the original flocks were Campylobacter-positive before slaughter (total 36 of the 77 samples; 46.7%). On the other hand, some carcasses were contaminated with Campylobacter although the flocks were negative for these bacteria (9 samples; 11.7%) which may also be due to internal contamination during slaughter of broilers.

Low-cost monitoring of Campylobacter in poultry houses by air sampling and quantitative PCR.

The present study describes the evaluation of a method for the quantification of Campylobacter by air sampling in poultry houses. Sampling was carried out in conventional chicken houses in Poland, in addition to a preliminary sampling in Denmark. Each measurement consisted of three air samples, two standard boot swab fecal samples, and one airborne particle count. Sampling was conducted over an 8-week period in three flocks, assessing the presence and levels of Campylobacter in boot swabs and air samples using quantitative real-time PCR. The detection limit for air sampling was approximately 100 Campylobacter cell equivalents (CCE)/m3. Airborne particle counts were used to analyze the size distribution of airborne particles (0.3 to 10 µm) in the chicken houses in relation to the level of airborne Campylobacter. No correlation was found. Using air sampling, Campylobacter was detected in the flocks right away, while boot swab samples were positive after 2 weeks. All samples collected were positive for Campylobacter from week 2 through the rest of the rearing period for both sampling techniques, although levels 1- to 2-log CCE higher were found with air sampling. At week 8, the levels were approximately 10(4) and 10(5) CCE per sample for boot swabs and air, respectively. In conclusion, using air samples combined with quantitative real-time PCR, Campylobacter contamination could be detected earlier than by boot swabs and was found to be a more convenient technique for monitoring and/or to obtain enumeration data useful for quantitative risk assessment of Campylobacter.

Characteristics and antimicrobial resistance of Campylobacter isolated from pig and cattle carcasses in Poland.

A total of 70 Campylobacter isolates recovered from 114 cattle and 177 pig carcasses at the slaughterhouse level were characterized by the presence of 7 putative virulence genes and antimicrobial susceptibility using the microbroth dilution method and minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC). The prevalence of Campylobacter was 14.9% and 29.9% in cattle and pig samples, respectively. The majority of cattle carcasses were contaminated with C. jejuni (64.7%), whereas pig carcasses were mainly positive for C. coli (77.4%). Most of the strain, irrespective of origin, possessed at least one pathogenic gene marker tested, mainly flaA and cadF genes responsible for motility and adherence to host epithelial cells, respectively. Several isolates also possessed the cdtA and cdtB genes responsible for the production of cytolethal distending toxin. Antibiotic profiling showed that campylobacters were most frequently resistant to quinolones (nalidixic acid and ciprofloxacin, total 57.1% of isolates) followed by streptomycin (52.9%, only C. coli strains) and tetracycline (51.4%). Resistance to erythromycin was demonstrated only in 4 C. coli strains of pig origin. None of the isolates, irrespective of origin, was resistant to gentamycin. Multi-resistance patterns, defined as resistance to antimicrobials of at least two different classes, were observed among 65.4% of the isolates, mainly C. coli recovered from pig carcasses.

Simultaneous occurrence of selected food-borne bacterial pathogens on bovine hides, carcasses and beef meat.

The aim of this study was to determine the simultaneous occurence of Salmonella spp., L. monocytogenes, verotoxigenic E. coli (VTEC), and Campylobacter spp. in slaughtered cattle and in beef meat subjected for human consumption. A total of 406 bovine hides and 406 corresponding carcasses were used to collect the samples with a swab method after exsanguination and evisceration of animals, respectively. Furthermore, 362 beef meat samples were purchased in local retail shops over the same period of time as for the bovine samples. Food-borne bacterial pathogens were identified with standard ISO methods with some modification by the use of PCR for VTEC. The isolated bacteria were then molecularly speciated (Campylobacter), serotyped (L. monocytogenes) and characterized for the presence of several virulence marker genes (VTEC and Campylobacter). It was found that 49 hide (12.1%) and 3 (0.7%) carcass samples were contaminated with more than one bacterial pathogen tested. Most of the hides were positive for Campylobacter spp. and VTEC (27 samples) and Campylobacter spp. together with L. monocytogenes (12 samples). Eight bovine hides contained L. monocytogenes and VTEC while L. monocytogenes and Salmonella spp. were detected in one sample. Furthermore, 3 pathogens (Campylobacter spp., L. monocytogenes and VTEC) were simultaneously identified in one bovine hide tested. In case of bovine carcasses 2 samples contained Campylobacter spp. and VTEC whereas one carcass was positive for L. monocytogenes and VTEC. On the other hand, 10 out of 362 (2.8%) minced beef samples were contaminated with at least two pathogens tested. The majority of these samples were contaminated with L. monocytogenes and Salmonella spp. (6 samples). It was noticed that equal number of C. jejuni and C. coli were found, irrespective of the origin of the samples. Most of the strains possessed more than one pathogenic factor as identified by PCR. Molecular serotyping of L. monocytogenes revealed that the majority of the isolates (27 out of 31; 87.1%) belonged to 1/2a serogroup. It was found that most of the VTEC isolates possessed the Shiga toxin stx2 gene (12 strains) whereas only 2 strains were str1-positive. The eneterohemolysin and intimin markers were identified only in 7 and 2 isolates, respectively. PCR analysis revealed that 4 VTEC belonged to O91 serogroup, 2 strains were O145 and 1 isolate was identified as O113. None of the VTEC detected in the study was O157 serogroup.

Association of enteroaggregative Escherichia coli with irritable bowel syndrome.

Increased numbers of faecal Enterobacteriaceae are observed among patients with irritable bowel syndrome. Escherichia coli strains are present in the lower intestine of humans, and may include several potentially pathogenic adhesive pathotypes. The aim of this study was to determine whether there were differences between the adhesive pathotypes of E. coli strains recovered from stool specimens of patients with irritable bowel syndrome and those recovered from healthy controls. The ability of E. coli isolates to adhere to cultured epithelial cells was assessed in an in-vitro adherence assay with HEp-2 cells. Enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC) strains were isolated significantly more frequently (p <0.00001) from patients with irritable bowel syndrome (81.8%) than from healthy controls (32.3%). However, despite this association, the precise role of the EAEC pathotype in irritable bowel syndrome remains to be determined.

Identification of putative adhesin genes in shigatoxigenic Escherichia coli isolated from different sources.

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) is an important pathogen responsible for severe human intestinal and systemic infections. The bacterial factors required for colonization of the hosts are still not well defined. In this study, the prevalence of seven putative adhesive genes that are not encoded in the locus of enterocyte effacement (LEE) in 74 STEC strains isolated from humans (n=39), food (n=6), cattle (n=11), and pigs (n=18) was investigated by PCR. In addition, Shiga toxin (stx) and intimin (eaeA including alpha, beta, gamma, delta, epsilon, zeta variants) genes were tested. The most prevalent adhesin was that encoded by toxB gene (52 of 74 isolates; 70.3%). This marker was found in all 12 strains of O157:H7 serotype and in 23 of 32 (71.9%) isolates of the O157:NM serogroup. Moreover, this gene was also present in other 17 STEC of the non-O157 serogroup. The second most prevalent adhesin was that encoded by the lpfAO157/OI-154 gene (43 isolates; 58.1%). This marker was detected in LEE-positive strains of the O157 serogroup but also in 9 LEE-negative isolates of porcine origin. Several STEC isolates tested (42 strains; 56.7%) had the efa1 gene of the Efa1 putative adhesive marker. This adhesin was almost exclusively found among eaeA-positive strains recovered from humans, food and cattle. On the other hand, iha marker was detected either in LEE-positive (29 isolates) or LEE-negative (12 strains) STEC. Only two eaeA-negative strains had the saa putative adhesive gene. These results show that STEC strains may be able to express several putative adhesins. However, further studies are needed to evaluate the role of the genes identified in the present study in the pathogenesis of human infections.

Development of a multiplex PCR approach for the identification of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli strains and their major virulence factor genes.

AIMS: To develop and evaluate a multiplex PCR (mPCR) system for rapid and specific identification of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) and their main virulence marker genes. METHODS AND RESULTS: A series of mPCR assays were developed using primer pairs that identify the sequences of Shiga toxins 1 and 2 (stx1 and stx2, including the stx2c, stx2d, stx2e and stx2f variants), intimin (eaeA), and enterohaemorrhagic E. coli enterohaemolysin (ehlyA). Moreover, two additional genes (rfb O157 and fliC H7), providing the genotypic identification of the O157:H7 E. coli serotype, were detected. As an internal positive control, primers designated to amplify the E. coli 16S rRNA were included in each mPCR. All the amplified genes in the E. coli reference strains were sucessfully identified by this procedure. The method was then used for the examination of 202 E. coli isolates recovered from cattle and children. Among them, 25 (12.4%) were stx positive including the strains of O157:H7 serotype (six isolates) and O157:NM serogroup (four strains). Moreover, 20 STEC strains possessed the eaeA (intimin) and ehlyA (enterohaemolysin) genes. CONCLUSIONS: The developed mPCR-based system enabled specific detection of STEC bacteria and identification of their main virulence marker genes. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The ability to identify STEC bacteria and the majority of their virulence gene markers, including four variants of Shiga toxin, as well as the differentiation of O157:H7 from non-O157 isolates represents a considerable advancement over other PCR-based methods for rapid characterization of STEC.

Prevalence of the lpfO113 gene cluster among Escherichia coli O157 isolates from different sources.

Domestic farm animals represent an important reservoir of infection for Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC). Nevertheless the bacterial factors required to colonise these hosts are poorly defined. In this study, the prevalence of a recently described fimbrial gene cluster, lpfO113, among human and animal isolates of STEC was investigated. lpfO113 has been shown to play a role in the adherence of STEC O113:H21 to epithelial cells. Here the presence of the lpfAO113 gene (predicted to encode a major fimbrial subunit) was examined by PCR in E. coli of serogroups O157 and O26 isolated from pigs (n=38), cattle (n=10), and humans (n=9). In addition, we tested for several other genetic virulence markers including Shiga toxin (stx), intimin (eae), the translocated intimin receptor (tir), EHEC-hemolysin (ehx) and F18 fimbriae (fedA). Overall 45 of the 57 strains (79%) possessed the lpfAO113 gene as determined by the presence of a 573 bp PCR product. Moreover, there was a close correlation between the presence of the lpfAO113 marker and the absence of the eae gene. lpfAO113 was found in all of pig isolates, suggesting a possible role in colonisation of the porcine host. In addition, several E. coli strains isolated from pigs had two fimbrial gene markers, fedA and lpfAO113. lpfAO113 was not present in strains of E. coli O157:H7 as described previously. Overall these results show that lpfAO113 is widely distributed among eae-negative E. coli isolates and thus may represent an important adherence factor in this group of pathogens.

Detection of the enteroaggregative Escherichia coli heat-stable enterotoxin 1 (EAST1) gene and its relationship with fimbrial and enterotoxin markers in E. coli isolates from pigs with diarrhoea.

The presence of the astA gene responsible for production of enteroaggregative Escherichia coli heat-stable enterotoxin 1 (EAST1) was examined in E. coli strains isolated from pigs with postweaning diarrhoea. Two hundred and seven isolates were tested using PCR for the astA marker and for heat-labile I (LTI), heat-stable I (STI), and heat-stable II (STII) enterotoxin genes. Moreover, the isolates were also analysed for their serotypes (O and K antigens) as well as for fimbrial adhesins using agglutination methods. It was shown that 96 (46.4%) of the isolates possessed the astA genetic determinant. The most common EAST1-positive E. coli serotype was O149:K91 and these strains were mostly LTI/STII-positive. A close correlation between the presence of F4 fimbriae and the EAST1 gene was also observed: 88 of 96 (91.7%) astA(+) isolates tested possessed the F4 antigen. Thus, EAST1 enterotoxin may represent an additional virulence determinant playing a role in the pathogenesis of porcine colibacillosis.

Enteroaggregative and cell-detaching Escherichia coli strains among Polish children with and without diarrhea.

To determine the association of enteroaggregative (EAEC) and cell-detaching (CDEC) Escherichia coli with diarrhea of unknown origin among children from Wroclaw (Poland), E. coli strains isolated from stool specimens of children with diarrhea were examined for mannose-resistant adherence to HEp-2 cells. EAEC were isolated from 10 of 39 (26%) children examined with diarrhea and 4 of 20 (20%) age-matched controls. CDEC were present in 14 (36%) cases of diarrhea and 7 (35%) healthy subjects. Cell-detaching activity was distinctly associated with hemolysin production. Among hemolytic CDEC strains cytotoxic necrotizing factor 1 (CNF1) synthesis prevailed among isolates obtained from cases of diarrhea (57%) in comparison with isolates obtained from healthy controls (14.3%). Although neither EAEC nor CDEC E. coli strains were associated with diarrhea of children in this setting, there were differences among EAEC and CDEC strains isolated from children with and without diarrhea.

Identification of Escherichia coli O157:H7-strains from pigs with postweaning diarrhoea and amplification of their virulence marker genes by PCR.

Escherichia coli isolated from pigs with postweaning diarrhoea were examined by PCR for the presence of the O157 rfb gene responsible for the biosynthesis of E coli O157 lipopolysaccharide. Among the 372 isolates tested, 38 (10.2 per cent) were of the O157 serogroup, but none of these possessed the H7 determinant. Further analysis of the E coli O157 isolates revealed that seven of them had the genes responsible for the production of Shiga toxin 1 and eaeA intimin, four other strains had genes responsible for the production of Shiga toxin 2, and four other strains were positive for the enterohaemolysin gene.

Rapid and specific identification of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli in faeces by multiplex PCR.

AIMS: The object of this study was to develop a multiplex PCR system for rapid and specific identification of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) in faeces. METHODS AND RESULTS: A multiplex PCR (mPCR) protocol was developed using a primer pair specific for genes that are involved in the biosynthesis of the O157 E. coli antigen, and primers that identify the sequences of Shiga toxin 1 and 2 (stx 1 and stx1) and the intimin protein (eaeA). The mPCR assay was used for amplification of STEC genes in bacteria directly (after enrichment) in faeces. The test was very sensitive and could detect between 9 and 1 bacterial cells per gram of faeces. The mPCR was used for the examination of 69 bovine faecal samples derived from healthy cattle. The results indicated that 62 x 3% of the samples were positive, generating at least one PCR amplicon of the expected size. CONCLUSIONS: The method can be applied for rapid and specific identification of STEC bacteria in faecal samples, and for differentiation of their main virulence marker genes. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The ability to sensitively detect Shiga toxin-producing E. coli directly in faeces within a short time represents a considerable advancement over more time-consuming and less sensitive methods for identification and characterization of STEC bacteria.

Multiplex polymerase chain reaction assay for identification of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli strains.

A multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) system was developed for identification of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) strains and to differentiate them from other gram negative enteric bacteria. This test simultaneously amplifies heat-labile (LTI) and heat-stable (STI and STII) toxin sequences and the E. coli-specific universal stress protein (uspA). The specificity of the method was validated by single PCR tests performed with the reference E. coli and non-E. coli strains and with bacteria isolated from pig feces. The multiplex PCR allowed the rapid and specific identification of enterotoxin-positive E. coli and may be used as a method for direct determination of ETEC and to differentiate them from other E. coli and gram-negative enteric isolates.

Molecular characterisation of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O157 strains isolated in Poland.

Ten Escherichia coli O157 strains isolated from cattle and children in Poland were investigated by the use of molecular biological methods. All strains possessed the intimin and enterohaemolysin genes and harboured the genetic determinants for Stx2 toxin (five isolates), Stx1 toxin (two strains) or both (three isolates). The genetic relatedness of the strains was examined by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) of chromosomal DNA digested with Xbal and Notl. Nine closely related RFLP patterns were observed. Comparison of bovine and human E coli O157 isolates based on the analysis of Xbal and Notl digested profiles showed that all strains belonged to one genetic cluster. These results indicate that cattle must be considered as a possible source of human E coli O157 infection in Poland.

Prevalence of eae and shiga toxin genes among Escherichia coli strains isolated from healthy calves.

Strains of Escherichia coli (n = 390) isolated from 132 healthy, 4-8-week old calves, were tested by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the eae (intimin) gene and shiga toxin genes (stx1 and stx2). All strains were also analysed for F5, F17 and F41 fimbriae and for the heat-labile (LT) and heat-stable (STI and STII) genetic markers. Overall, the eae gene was detected in 84 (21.5%) of the strains tested. Only 21 (5.4%) isolates were positive for stx1 (18 strains) or stx2 (three strains); nine of the stx1-positive isolates also possessed the eae gene. A high percentage (29.2%) of the isolates tested expressed F17 but no enterotoxin genes were detected. None of the eae- or stx-positive strains belonged to the O157 serogroup.

Characterization of necrotoxigenic Escherichia coli (NTEC) strains isolated from healthy calves in Poland.

Faecal samples from 132 healthy, 4-8-week-old calves from four different farms were examined for necrotoxigenic Escherichia coli (NTEC) producing the cytotoxic necrotizing factors type 1 (CNF1) and type 2 (CNF2). CNF2 genes were detected by polymerase chain reaction in 24 (6.1%) of the 396 E. coli strains tested; these strains were found in 18 (13.6%) calves used in the study. None of the 396 E. coli isolates examined possessed the gene encoding CNF1. Overall, 28.8% of E. coli examined expressed the F17 fimbrial antigen. A strong association between CNF2 toxin and F17 fimbriae was found (62.5% of CNF2-positive strains were F17-positive). Moreover, six out of 24 NTEC strains had the Stx1 or the Stx2 shiga toxin genes, and three additional isolates possessed the eae genetic marker of the intimin protein.