Genetic Determinants and Biofilm Properties Useful in Estimation of UTI Pathogenicity of the <i>Escherichia coli</i> Strains Isolated from Free-Living Birds
<b>Background/Objectives</b>: According to the One Health concept, wild birds can be indicators of ecosystem pollution and disease incidence. <i>Escherichia coli</i> strains are widespread worldwide, but there are still few reports on the association of human infections with...
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2025-01-01
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| author | Bartosz Rybak Tomasz Jarzembowski Agnieszka Daca Beata Krawczyk Lidia Piechowicz |
| author_facet | Bartosz Rybak Tomasz Jarzembowski Agnieszka Daca Beata Krawczyk Lidia Piechowicz |
| author_sort | Bartosz Rybak |
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| description | <b>Background/Objectives</b>: According to the One Health concept, wild birds can be indicators of ecosystem pollution and disease incidence. <i>Escherichia coli</i> strains are widespread worldwide, but there are still few reports on the association of human infections with a potential reservoir of highly pathogenic human strains in wild birds. Fecal <i>E. coli</i> with uropathogenic potential (UPEC) can be transmitted between birds and humans and may be a risk factor for urinary tract infections (UTIs). <b>Results</b>: The results showed that above 50% of the isolates were grouped as highly pathogenic, according to Clermont phylogroup classification. Such strains were found to be stronger biofilm producers, with a higher adherence of monocytes than low pathogenic. However, the highest cytotoxicity was observed for strains described as aquatic environmental. Convergence of the results of the analysis of monocyte activation by <i>E. coli</i> strains and the ability to form biofilm by individual phylogroups of the strains tested was demonstrated. Genetic determinants of the uropathogenicity of <i>E. coli</i> (UPEC) correlate with the evidence of strain pathogenicity during monocyte activation in in vitro assays. <b>Methods</b>: In this study, we assessed the virulence potential of environmental strains isolated from wild waterfowl using genetic analysis (Clermont phylogroup classification) and phenotypic methods, including analysis of the human monocyte response to biofilm formation. The estimation of the ability to form biofilms was tested using crystal violet, and the pathogenic potential of strains by monocyte activation assay including changes in morphology, adhesion and cytotoxicity. <b>Conclusions</b>: In conclusion, the virulence of <i>E. coli</i> strains isolated from free-living birds is significant, and they can be considered environmental reservoirs of pathogenic strains. According to our observations, they can be responsible for the dissemination of uropathogenic strains among humans. |
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| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2079-6382 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
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| series | Antibiotics |
| spelling | doaj-art-0bf4df81ea8f4f61804afd7b68bca98e2025-01-24T13:18:38ZengMDPI AGAntibiotics2079-63822025-01-011413210.3390/antibiotics14010032Genetic Determinants and Biofilm Properties Useful in Estimation of UTI Pathogenicity of the <i>Escherichia coli</i> Strains Isolated from Free-Living BirdsBartosz Rybak0Tomasz Jarzembowski1Agnieszka Daca2Beata Krawczyk3Lidia Piechowicz4Department of Environmental Toxicology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute of Maritime and Tropical Medicine, Medical University of Gdańsk, Dębowa 23 A, 80-204 Gdańsk, PolandDepartment of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Gdańsk, Dębowa 25, 80-204 Gdańsk, PolandDepartment of Physiopathology, Medical University of Gdańsk, Dębinki 7, 80-211 Gdańsk, PolandDepartment of Biotechnology and Microbiology, Faculty of Chemistry, Gdańsk University of Technology, G. Narutowicza 11/12, 80-233 Gdańsk, PolandDepartment of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Gdańsk, Dębowa 25, 80-204 Gdańsk, Poland<b>Background/Objectives</b>: According to the One Health concept, wild birds can be indicators of ecosystem pollution and disease incidence. <i>Escherichia coli</i> strains are widespread worldwide, but there are still few reports on the association of human infections with a potential reservoir of highly pathogenic human strains in wild birds. Fecal <i>E. coli</i> with uropathogenic potential (UPEC) can be transmitted between birds and humans and may be a risk factor for urinary tract infections (UTIs). <b>Results</b>: The results showed that above 50% of the isolates were grouped as highly pathogenic, according to Clermont phylogroup classification. Such strains were found to be stronger biofilm producers, with a higher adherence of monocytes than low pathogenic. However, the highest cytotoxicity was observed for strains described as aquatic environmental. Convergence of the results of the analysis of monocyte activation by <i>E. coli</i> strains and the ability to form biofilm by individual phylogroups of the strains tested was demonstrated. Genetic determinants of the uropathogenicity of <i>E. coli</i> (UPEC) correlate with the evidence of strain pathogenicity during monocyte activation in in vitro assays. <b>Methods</b>: In this study, we assessed the virulence potential of environmental strains isolated from wild waterfowl using genetic analysis (Clermont phylogroup classification) and phenotypic methods, including analysis of the human monocyte response to biofilm formation. The estimation of the ability to form biofilms was tested using crystal violet, and the pathogenic potential of strains by monocyte activation assay including changes in morphology, adhesion and cytotoxicity. <b>Conclusions</b>: In conclusion, the virulence of <i>E. coli</i> strains isolated from free-living birds is significant, and they can be considered environmental reservoirs of pathogenic strains. According to our observations, they can be responsible for the dissemination of uropathogenic strains among humans.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6382/14/1/32UPECenvironmental strainsClermont phylogroupsbiofilm formationmonocytes activation<i>E. coli</i> pathogenicity |
| spellingShingle | Bartosz Rybak Tomasz Jarzembowski Agnieszka Daca Beata Krawczyk Lidia Piechowicz Genetic Determinants and Biofilm Properties Useful in Estimation of UTI Pathogenicity of the <i>Escherichia coli</i> Strains Isolated from Free-Living Birds Antibiotics UPEC environmental strains Clermont phylogroups biofilm formation monocytes activation <i>E. coli</i> pathogenicity |
| title | Genetic Determinants and Biofilm Properties Useful in Estimation of UTI Pathogenicity of the <i>Escherichia coli</i> Strains Isolated from Free-Living Birds |
| title_full | Genetic Determinants and Biofilm Properties Useful in Estimation of UTI Pathogenicity of the <i>Escherichia coli</i> Strains Isolated from Free-Living Birds |
| title_fullStr | Genetic Determinants and Biofilm Properties Useful in Estimation of UTI Pathogenicity of the <i>Escherichia coli</i> Strains Isolated from Free-Living Birds |
| title_full_unstemmed | Genetic Determinants and Biofilm Properties Useful in Estimation of UTI Pathogenicity of the <i>Escherichia coli</i> Strains Isolated from Free-Living Birds |
| title_short | Genetic Determinants and Biofilm Properties Useful in Estimation of UTI Pathogenicity of the <i>Escherichia coli</i> Strains Isolated from Free-Living Birds |
| title_sort | genetic determinants and biofilm properties useful in estimation of uti pathogenicity of the i escherichia coli i strains isolated from free living birds |
| topic | UPEC environmental strains Clermont phylogroups biofilm formation monocytes activation <i>E. coli</i> pathogenicity |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6382/14/1/32 |
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