O, K, and H Antigens Predict Virulence Factors, Carboxylesterase B Pattern, Antimicrobial Resistance, and Host Compromise among Escherichia coli Strains Causing Urosepsis

• Published in: The Journal of infectious diseases 1994-01, Vol.169 (1), p.119-126
• Main Authors: Johnson, James R., Orskov, Ida, Orskov, Frits, Goullet, Phillipe, Picard, Bertrand, Moseley, Steve L., Roberts, Pacita L., Stamm, Walter E.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antibiotic resistance; Antigens; Antigens, Bacterial - immunology; Antigens, Surface - immunology; Bacteremia - etiology; Bacteremia - microbiology; Bacterial Adhesion - immunology; Bacterial diseases; Bacterial diseases of the urinary system; Biological and medical sciences; Carboxylesterase; Carboxylic Ester Hydrolases - biosynthesis; Carboxylic Ester Hydrolases - immunology; Chi-Square Distribution; Drug Resistance, Microbial - immunology; Escherichia coli; Escherichia coli - drug effects; Escherichia coli - enzymology; Escherichia coli - genetics; Escherichia coli - immunology; Escherichia coli - pathogenicity; Escherichia coli Infections - microbiology; Fimbriae; Fimbriae, Bacterial - immunology; Hemolysin proteins; Hemolysin Proteins - biosynthesis; Hemolysin Proteins - genetics; Human bacterial diseases; Hydroxamic Acids - metabolism; Immunocompromised Host - immunology; Infectious diseases; Major Articles; Medical sciences; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Mycobacterium tuberculosis; O Antigens; Plasmids; Polysaccharides, Bacterial - immunology; Pyelonephritis; Retrospective Studies; Siderophores - biosynthesis; Urinary tract; Urinary Tract Infections - complications; Urinary Tract Infections - microbiology; Virulence - genetics; Virulence - immunology; Virulence factors
• ISSN: 0022-1899; 1537-6613
• DOI: 10.1093/infdis/169.1.119

The O:K:H serotypes of 75 Escherichia coli blood isolates from patients with urosepsis were compared for the presence and expression of determinants for P fimbriae, hemolysin, and aerobactin; antimicrobial resistance; the carboxylesterase Bphenotype; and associated compromising host conditions. 0 groups, K types, and O:K:H serotypes previously associated with urovirulence accounted for 69%, 60%, and 31% of the population, respectively. Chromosomal determinants for P fimbriae, hemolysin, and aerobactin were present in combination more commonly among strains belonging to urovirulence-associated O groups, K types, and O:K:H serotypes. Similarly, antimicrobial resistance was strikingly less prevalent, the B2 carboxylesterase phenotype more common, and associated host compromise less common among such strains. These data demonstrate that the O groups, K types, and O:K:H serotypes traditionally associated with urovirulence are prominent among E. coli strains causing urosepsis, in which they are associated with presence and expression of multiple chromosomal virulence factor determinants, susceptibility to antimicrobial agents, the B2 carboxylesterase phenotype, and noncompromised hosts.