Characterization and Zoonotic Potential of Uropathogenic Escherichia coli Isolated from Dogs

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the characteristics of canine uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) and the interaction between canine UPEC and human bladder epithelial cells. Ten E. coli isolates collected from dogs with cystitis were analyzed for antimicrobial resistance patterns, the presence of virulence factors, and biofilm formation. The ability of these isolates to induce cytotoxicity, invade human bladder epithelial cells, and stimulate an immune response was also determined. We observed a high rate of antimicrobial resistance among canine UPEC isolates. All virulence genes tested (including adhesins, iron acquisition, and protectin), except toxin genes, were detected among the canine UPEC isolates. We found that all isolates showed varying degrees of biofilm formation (mean, 0.26; range, 0.07 to 0.82), using a microtiter plate assay to evaluate biofilm formation by the isolates. Cytotoxicity to human bladder epithelial cells by the canine UPEC isolates increased in a time-dependent manner, with a 56.9% and 36.1% reduction in cell viability compared with the control at 6 and 9 h of incubation, respectively. We found that most canine UPEC isolates were able to invade human bladder epithelial cells. The interaction between these isolates and human bladder epithelial cells strongly induced the production of proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-6 and IL-8. We demonstrated that canine UPEC isolates can interact with human bladder epithelial cells, although the detailed mechanisms remain unknown. The results suggest that canine UPEC isolates, rather than dogspecific pathogens, have zoonotic potential.

Virulence Genes and Antimicrobial Resistance Pattern in Uropathogenic Escherichia coli Isolated From Hospitalized Patients in Kashan, Iran

“…Studies show that antibiotic resistance is increasing among UPEC strains every year ( 16 ). The high antimicrobial resistance of UPEC significantly reduces the therapeutic options and increases the treatment costs and mortality rates ( 17 , 18 ). To the authors best knowledge; few data are available regarding the virulence factors and antimicrobial resistance patterns of UPEC strains in Iran.…”

Characterization of ESBL-producing Escherichia coli recovered from companion dogs in Tai'an, China

“…ESBL-producing E. coli not only are the intestinal pathogen, but also the common causative bacterium for urinary tract infections (UTIs) [11]. To date, numerous investigations about prevalence and characterization of ESBL-producing E. coli from humans and companion animals have been reported [12][13][14][15][16][17]; however, information about characteristics of ESBL-producing E. coli from pet animals in China is very limited. To fill the literature gap, the present study was designed to describe the prevalence and characterization of ESBL producers among E. coli urinary tract isolates from pet dogs in Tai'an, China.…”

Draft Genome Sequence of a Canine Uropathogenic Escherichia coli Strain Isolated in New Zealand

“…Urinary tract infections (UTIs) affect about 150 million people each year, and uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) is the major causative agent (1). It was shown that UPEC isolates obtained from dogs with cystitis are able to invade human bladder epithelial cells and cause cytotoxicity, which emphasizes the zoonotic risk of canine UPEC isolates (2). In this report, we present the draft genome sequence of the isolate UPEC P50, which was isolated from a dog (12-year-old bull terrier) within a routine UTI diagnosis.…”