Although extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli (ExPEC) are designated by their isolation site and grouped based on the type of host and the disease they cause, most diarrheagenic E. coli (DEC) are subdivided into several pathotypes based on the presence of specific virulence traits directly related to disease development. This scenario of a well-categorized E. coli collapsed after the German outbreak of 2011, caused by one strain bearing the virulence factors of two different DEC pathotypes (enteroaggregative E. coli and Shiga toxin-producing E. coli ). Since the outbreak, many studies have shown that this phenomenon is more frequent than previously realized. Therefore, the terms hybrid- and hetero-pathogenic E. coli have been coined to describe new combinations of virulence factors among the classic E. coli pathotypes. In this review, we provide an overview of these classifications and highlight the E. coli genomic plasticity that results in some mixed E. coli pathotypes displaying novel pathogenic strategies, which lead to a new symptomatology related to E. coli diseases. In addition, as the capacity for genome interrogation has grown in the last few years, it is clear that genes encoding some virulence factors, such as Shiga toxin, are found among different E. coli pathotypes to which they have not traditionally been associated, perhaps foreshowing their emergence in new and severe outbreaks caused by such hybrid strains. Therefore, further studies regarding hetero-pathogenic and hybrid-pathogenic E. coli isolates are necessary to better understand and control the spread of these pathogens.

Abstract

Avaliação da inserção de alimentos orgânicos provenientes da agricultura familiar na alimentação escolar, em municípios dos territórios rurais do Rio Grande do Sul, BrasilEvaluation of the inclusion of organic food from family-based agriculture in school food in municipalities of rural territories of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

Esta pesquisa tem por objetivo estudar os processos de construção de identidade desenvolvidos nas escolas de samba de São Paulo e verificar como esses processos motivam o engajamento dos sujeitos em atividades não remuneradas, durante a preparação dos desfiles das agremiações. Para tanto, utilizou-se os referenciais conceituais de identidade e reconhecimento de Axel Honneth e Nancy Fraser, os conceitos de cultura negro-brasileira de Muniz Sodré e Nei Lopes, articulando-os com os movimentos de inserção de afrodescendentes na sociedade brasileira e paulista, marcados pela tensão entre a opressão racista e as resistências antirracistas. Além disso, foi realizada uma pesquisa de campo utilizando a metodologia da etnografia, análise de conteúdo e entrevistas semiestruturadas com participantes da harmonia e da bateria de três escolas de samba do Grupo Especial de São Paulo: Vai-Vai, Rosas de Ouro e Pérola Negra. Esta pesquisa propõe que os processos identitários dos negros nas escolas de samba inserem-se na perspectiva de resistência aos mecanismos de opressão.

(1) Background: Hybrid uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) strains carry virulence markers of the diarrheagenic E. coli (DEC) pathotypes, which may increase their virulence potential. This study analyzed the frequency and virulence potential of hybrid strains among 452 UPEC strains. (2) Methods: Strains were tested for the DEC virulence diagnostic genes’ presence by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Those carrying at least one gene were classified as hybrid and further tested for 10 UPEC and extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC) virulence genes and phylogenetic classification. Also, their ability to produce hemolysis, adhere to HeLa and renal HEK 293T cells, form a biofilm, and antimicrobial susceptibility were evaluated. (3) Results: Nine (2%) hybrid strains were detected; seven of them carried aggR and two, eae, and were classified as UPEC/EAEC (enteroaggregative E. coli) and UPEC/aEPEC (atypical enteropathogenic E. coli), respectively. They belonged to phylogroups A (five strains), B1 (three), and D (one), and adhered to both cell lineages tested. Only the UPEC/EAEC strains were hemolytic (five strains) and produced biofilm. One UPEC/aEPEC strain was resistant to third-generation cephalosporins and carried blaCTX-M-15. (4) Conclusions: Our findings contribute to understanding the occurrence and pathogenicity of hybrid UPEC strains, which may cause more severe infections.