Into the life and death: RecA a WISE factor working to integrate survival and evolution in <i>Escherichia coli</i>

Escherichia coli RecA has been considered traditionally a cellular protein with multiple vital functions working to ensure the maintenance of integrity of genome in each individual bacterial cell as well as promoting swarming migration in collectivity. On the contrary, recently it has been described that RecA promotes cellular apoptotic-like death (ALD), a pathway of programmed cellular death (PCD). In fact, RecA has been dubbed as the major apoptotic executor in E. coli. From these studies, RecA emerges as a prototypical Gin/Gan protein that despite of their intrinsic vital and lethal anfi-funcionality becomes in a WISE factor: a Worker to Integrate Survival and Evolution in E. coli evolving populations living in community. Here, I provide a review of recent experimental and conceptual advances trying to understand these RecA’s antagonistic roles in appearance contradictory under a unified biological vision.

A Novel Cellular Autoaggregative Developmentally CRP Regulated Behaviour Generates Massively Chondrule-Like Formations over Surface of Old <i>Escherichia coli</i>K-12 Macrocolony Biofilms

How Escherichia coli bacteria develop a particular colonial, 3-D biofilm morphological pattern is still a poorly understood process. Recently, we reported a new E. coli K-12 morphotype exhibited by old macrocolonies described as volcano-like. The formative developmental process of this morphotype has been presented as a suitable experimental model for the study of 3D patterning in macrocolony biofilms. Here, we report the optical microscopy observations and genetic analysis that have unveiled the existence of a novel autoaggregative behaviour which generates massive lumpiness over the surface of the volcano-like macrocolonies. These lumpy formations are generated by the autoaggregation and strong interaction of tightly packed bacterial cells in structures with a chondrule-like appearance which give the colony’s surface its characteristic microscopic lumpy phenotype. Furthermore, they exhibit different levels of maturation from the edge to the center of the colony. Hence, its generation appears to follow a spatiotemporal program of development during the macrocolony’s morphogenesis. Interestingly, the agar’s hardness influences the morphology exhibited by these formations, with high agar concentration (1.5%, 15 g/L) suppressing its development. This new auto-aggregative E. coli’s behaviour does not require the activity of the biofilm master regulator CsgD, the adhesiveness of flagella, pili type 1, adhesin Ag43, β-1,6-N-acetyl-D-glucosamine polymer-PGA, cellulose or colanic acid, but it is under glucose repression and the control of cAMP receptor protein (CRP). The possible physiological role of these chondrule-like formations in the adaptability of the colony to different stressful environmental conditions is discussed.

The Transport and Persistence of Escherichia coli in Leachate from Poultry Litter Amended Soils

Fecal coliform bacteria such as Escherichia coli (E. coli) are one of the main sources of groundwater pollution. An assessment of the transport and Persistence of E. coli in poultry litter amended Decatur silty Clay soil and Hartsells Sandy soil was conducted using soil columns and simulated groundwater leaching. Enumeration of initial E. coli was determined to range from 2.851 × 103 to 3.044 × 103 CFU per gram of soil. These results have been used in a batch study to determine the persistence rate of E. coli in Decatur silty Clay soil and Hartsells Sandy soil. Results prove that E. coli survival growth rate increases for clay soil later than and at a higher rate than sandy soil. The column study has determined that E. coli was transported at a rate of 3.7 × 106 CFU for Decatur silty loam and 6.3 × 106 CFU for Hartsells sandy per gram of soil. Further, linear regression analysis predictions show higher porosity and soil moisture content affect transport, and Hartsells sandy soil has higher transport of E. coli due to its higher porosity and lower volumetric water content.

Characteristics of β-Lactamase Synthesis in E. coli and K. pneumanie Strains in Nosocomial Infections

Background: Recently micro-organisms that synthesize extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBLs) were increased. The peculiarities of ESBL synthesis of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae strains that cause nosocomial urinary tract infections, surgical site infections and pneumonia in surgical clinic were studied. ESBL synthesis were observed 38.9% of E. coli strains obtained from urine, 92.3% of strains obtained from surgical site infections, and 50% of strains obtained from sputum. ESBL synthesis were observed 37.5% of K. pneumoniae strains obtained from urine, 85.7% of strains obtained from surgical site infections, and 60% of strains obtained from sputum. Different levels of ESBL synthesize of E. coli and K. pneumoniae strains isolated from different pattern is discussed. Conclusion. ESBL synthesis is common in E. coli and K. pneumoniae strains, which cause nosocomial infections. The frequency of occurrence of ESBL s synthesis among of these strains depends on clinical forms of nosocomial infections.

Structure-activity correlationship and folding of recombinant Escherichia coli dihydro folate reductase (DHFR) enzyme through biochemical and biophysical approaches

The design of any antagonist or inhibitor for any enzyme requires the knowledge of structure- function relationship of the protein and the optimum conformational states for maximum and minimum activities. Furthermore, designing of the inhibitors or drugs against an enzyme becomes easier if there is information available about various well characterized intermediate conformation of the molecule. In vivo folding pathway of any recombinant protein is an important parameter for understanding its ability to fold by itself inside the cell, which always dictates the downstream processing for the purification. In the present manuscript we have discussed about the in vivo and in vitro folding, and structure-function relationship of Dihydrofolate reductase enzyme. This is an important enzyme involved in the cell growth and hence inhibition or inactivation of the enzyme may reduce the cell growth. It was observed that the equilibrium unfolding transition of DHFR proceeds through the formation of intermediates having higher exposed surface hydrophobicity, unchanged enzymatic activity and minimum changes in the secondary structural elements. Because of enhanced surface hydrophobicity, and unchanged enzymatic activity, these intermediates could be a nice target for designing drugs against DHFR.

Growth Inhibition of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus epidermidis from Various Types of Honey

Honey has long been considered a wound treatment used to keep cuts and other epidermal injuries clean. This study tested that claim by comparing manuka honey used in medicine today, local unprocessed honey taken straight from a hive, and pasteurized honey found at a store, on strains of E. coli and S. epidermidis. The study evaluated the effects these honeys had on bacterial growth to determine which had the greatest inhibition of bacterial growth. To determine this, plates streaked with strains of E. coli or S. epidermidis bacteria and agar wells filled with one of the honeys were incubated and subsequently the diameter of the zone of inhibition was measured. After 20 trials using each honey and bacteria type, manuka and unprocessed were shown to have a statistically significant advantage over the pasteurized honey at inhibiting the growth of E. coli and S. epidermidis, though it was variable whether manuka had an advantage over the unprocessed honey.

Evaluation of media for simultaneous enumeration of total coliform and Escherichia coli in drinking water supplies by membrane filtration techniques

This study evaluated three different dehydrated media for simultaneous detection and enumeration of total coliform （TC） and Escherichia coil in drinking water samples with a standard membrane filtration procedure. The experiment indicated that the differential coliform agar （DCA） medium was the most effective among the tested media in enumerating TC and E. coil, without the need for extensive accompanying confirmation tests. The results for DCA medium were highly reproducible for both TC and E. coil with standard deviation of 6.0 and 6.1, respectively. A high agreement （82%） was found between DCA and m-Endo media on 152 drinking water samples in terms of TC positive. The DCA medium also reduced concealment of background bacteria.

Appendical Perforation by Infection with Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL)-Producing <i>Escherichia coli</i>: Case Report

We report the very rare case of a huge appendical abscess with extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli (E. coli) as the pathogen. There have been several reports of appendical infections such as appendicitis and appendical abscess caused by ESBL-producing bacteria in adults. The treatment of ESBL-producing E. coli infection is specific, and ESBL-producing bacteria have recently been reported as pathogens associated appendicitis in children. To the best of our knowledge, this is the second report of perforated appendicitis with abscess due to ESBL-producing E. coli. We discuss the diagnostic modalities and treatments for appendical abscess with ESBL-producing E. coli. and propose that the patients with perforated appendicitis and abscess formation due to ESBL-producing E. coli should be administered the antibiotic MEPM within 2 weeks to treat the abscess more effec-tively without producing other multidrug-resistant bacteria.

Synthesis and evaluation of diphenol aldimines as inhibitors of <i>Escherichia coli</i>ATPase and cell growth

A series of structurally related diphenol aldimines (DPAs) were synthesized. These aldimines involve different substitution patterns of their phenolic groups, for the purpose of optimizing their ability to inhibit ATP synthase. The inhibitory effects of these DPA compounds were evaluated using purified F1 and membrane-bound F1F0 E. coli ATP synthase. Structure-activity relationship studies of these di-phenol compounds showed that maximum inhibition was achieved when both phenolic groups are either in the meta-positions (DPA-7, IC50 = 2.0 μM), or in the ortho-positions (DPA-9, IC50 = 5.0 μM). The lowest ATP synthase inhibition was found to be when the phenolic groups are both in the para-positions (DPA-2, IC50 = 100.0 μM). Results also show that the inhibitory effects of these compounds on ATPase are completely reversible. Identical inhibition patterns of both the purified F1 and the membrane bound F1F0 enzyme were observed. Study of E. coli cell growth showed that these diphenol aldimines effectively inhibit both ATP synthesis and cell growth.

Development of a Multiplex PCR for Diagnosis of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Bacillus cereus from Cows with Endometritis

Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Bacillus cereus are the major agents of cow endometritis in dairy cows. A multiplex PCR （SEB-mPCR） was established based on the conserved genes of S. aureus, E. coli and B. cereus, and the detection limits were 103, 102 and 103 CFU mL-1, respectively. SEB-mPCR could not amplify genomic DNA of pathogenic bacteria of other common bovine diseases. A total of 309 vaginal discharge samples from cows with endometritis were tested by SEB-mPCR. Of the samples, 23.95% had the three kinds of bacteria detected, 17.15% had S. aureu and E. coli, 9.39% had E. coli and B. cereus, and 9.71% had S. aureus and B. cereus. The rates of infections with S. aureus, E. coli and B. cereus were 11.35, 16.18 and 9.06%, respectively. Therefore, SEB-mPCR has a potential as a diagnosis tool for endometritis in dairy cows.

Levels of Norovirus and <i>E. coli</i>in Untreated, Biologically Treated and UV-Disinfected Sewage Effluent Discharged to a Shellfish Water

The efficacy of an activated sludge (modified Ludzack-Ettinger (MLE)) UV disinfection processes in removing human noroviruses and E. coli from sewage were compared with the prevalence of these microorganisms in a settled storm discharge from the same sewage treatment works. Both discharges impacted a designated oyster production area. The treatment process delivered average NoV and E. coli reductions of 2.9log10 and 5.2log10, respectively. Most E. coli reductions occurred during the UV disinfection process whereas the MLE process was comparatively more important in reducing NoV levels. A positive relationship was found between NoV removal and measured applied UV dose. The average levels of total NoV in the settled storm tank were of the same order of magnitude of those in screened raw influent at the works. These results highlight the importance of measures to reduce the impact of stormwater discharges to minimise the risk of NoV gastroenteritis associated with the consumption of oysters.

Phosphoglucose Isomerase Deficiency in <i>Escherichia coli</i>K-12 Is Associated with Increased Spontaneous Mutation Rate

Phosphoglucose isomerase (PGI) is a key enzyme in early glycolysis, which catalyzes the reversible isomerization of glucose 6-phosphate (G6Ph) to fructose 6-phosphate. We have constructed an Escherichia coli K12 strain with a deleted pgi gene (Δpgi) and shown that this strain in comparison with the parental strain 1) accumulates higher amount of G6Ph, 2) grows slowly, and 3) exhibits higher spontaneous mutation frequency to rifampicin resistance (Rifr), when grown on high glucose minimal medium. Intriguingly, the spontaneous mutation rate to Rifr was inversely related to the degree of E. coli chromosomal DNA modification with sugar derivatives. We measured higher concentrations of Amadori products, fluorophores (360 nm excitation/440 nm emission) and carboxymethyl residues in the chromosomal DNA of the E. coli parental strain than in DNA of the isogenic Δpgi strain. To explain this apparent paradox we hypothesized that PGI might be implicated in repair of G6Ph-derived lesions in DNA. In favor of our hypothesis, we further demonstrate that protein extract from the E. coli PGI proficient strain but not from the PGI deficient strain catalyzes the release of G6Ph from G6Ph-modified single stranded DNA oligonucleotide and from its hybrid duplex with a complementary peptide nucleic acid.

A Direct Droplet Digital PCR Method for <i>E. coli</i>Host Residual DNA Quantification

Injectable drugs manufactured in E. coli must be tested for host residual DNA (hr DNA) impurity in ensuring drug purity and safety. Because of low allowable hr DNA as impurity, highly sensitive methods are needed. Droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) is a new method where the reaction is partitioned into about 20,000 nanoliter-sized droplets and each droplet acts as individual PCR reaction. After completion of end-point PCR, droplets are analyzed for fluorescence and categorized as positive or negative and DNA quantified using Poisson statistics. Here we describe development of a direct E. coli hr DNA dd PCR method where the drug is directly added to the ddPCR reaction. We show that the ddPCR method has acceptable precision and high accuracy, works with different biologic drugs, and compared to qPCR shows higher tolerance of drug matrices. The method does not require DNA extraction or standard curves for quantification of hr DNA in unknown samples.

Detection and Persistence of Clinical <i>Escherichia coli</i>in Drinking Water Evaluated by a Rapid Enzyme Assay and qPCR

The aims of this study were to evaluate two methods, qPCR and a chemiluminescent assay (ColiLight II), for rapid detection of E. coli in water, and to examine the survival and persistence of clinical E. coli in drinking water and biofilm using qPCR and ColiLight II. qPCR and ColiLight II were compared with a cultivation-based method (MPN), and survival and persistence of four clinical E. coli strains in water and biofilms on stainless steel (SS) and polyethylene (PE) surfaces were studied in a flow-through reactor with non-disinfected drinking water using ColiLight II, qPCR, ATP bioluminescence, and MPN. ColiLight II and qPCR correlated well with MPN. In drinking water, some clinical E. coli strains showed prolonged survival in drinking water flow-through systems, and persisted 3 - 3.4 times longer than the theoretical washout due to incorporation into biofilms. Strain specific attributes can significantly affect detection and persistence of E. coli in drinking water matrices.

Isolation and Characterization of E. Coli O157 : H7 from Infected Newborn Calves in Northeast China

Escherichia coli O157 : H7 is a foodborne pathogen that poses a major threat to public health. Epidemiologic investigations have identified dairy cows, especially calves, are the principal reservoir of E. coli O157 : H7. In this study, based on the results, E. coli O157 : H7 was the main cause of E. coli disease outbreak in late October, 2015, and more than 90% of newborn calves died of serious diarrhea. Through further experiments, the drug sensitivity and resistance of the strain, the expression of the virulence gene and virulence pathogenicity were studied. E. coli O157 : H7 isolates were resistant to 12 antibiotics including penicillin, tetracycline and ampicillin, and were sensitive to eight antibiotics including cefoperazone, ceftazidime and amikacin. Resistance genes included tetB, strB, aadB, aphA, floR, TEM and virulence genes included stx1, eaeA and hlyA. Using specific pathogen free mice, the result showed that the isolate was pathogenic with a median lethal dose of 7.9×107 CFU · mL-1. This study described the pathogenesis and clinical manifestations of E. coli O157 : H7 infection. These results guided the use of antibiotics in prevent and control of bacterial infections in the future.

<i>Escherichia coli</i>Harbouring Resistance Genes, Virulence Genes and Integron 1 Isolated from Athi River in Kenya

Rivers can act as reservoirs of highly resistant strains and facilitate the dissemination of resistance, virulence and integron 1 genes. A cross-sectional study was carried out where 318 water samples were collected (53 from each site) and from the samples, 318 E. coli isolates were analysed for resistance genes, virulence genes and integron 1 using Polymerase Chain Reaction. 22% of the isolates had blaTEM, 33% had blaCTX-M and 28% had blaCMY. Prevalence of typical Enteropathogenic E. coli strains (carrying both eae and bfp genes) was 5% while the prevalence of atypical Enteropathogenic E. coli (carying only eae) was 1.8%. The prevalence of Enteroaggregative E. coli carrying the aggr genes was 11%. The prevalence of Enterotoxigenic E. coli encoding only lt toxin was 16 (5%) and while those carrying only st toxin was 6.9%. The prevalence of Enteroinvasive E. coli strains encoding as IpaH was 5% while that of strains, adherent invasive E. coli, carrying adherent invasive gene inv was 8.7%. 36% isolates were positive for class 1 integrons which were mostly isolated near the sewage effluent from waste treatment plant. Anthropogenic activities and close proximity to sewage treatment plant were found to play a key role in pollution of water body and accumulation of resistance and virulence genes. These results suggest that waste treatment plant may act as reservoir of resistance, virulence and integron 1 genes and is a potential risk to human and animal health in the region.

Influence of Metal Ions on Hydrogen Production by Photosynthetic Bacteria Grown in Escherichia coli Pre-Fermented Cheese Whey

The photosynthetic bacteria, Rodospirillum rubrum, produced hydrogen when grown in cheese whey in presence of light. The production increased three times as much when whey was used after being incubated in presence of Escherichia coli at 37℃ for 5 days, giving a total of 3600 ml of H2 in 10 days. The presence of Fe ions (5 mg/L) enhanced H2 production of treated whey to about 6000 ml in 10 days. Mo ions (0.3 and 1.6 mg/l) did not affect achieved H2 production of treated whey. However, when Fe and Mo ions were present together, the production was comparable with that of Mo ions alone, i.e. Mo prevented Fe of producing any enhancing effect. The addition of Mn ions (7.68 mg/L) to treated whey containing Fe (5 mg/L) and Mo ions (8 mg/L) increased H2 production to give about 9500 ml/10 days.

The Paradoxical Effect of Paraquat on Leucyl-tRNA Levels in <i>E. coli</i>Provides New Insights for Amino Acid Therapy in Humans

Dihydroxyacid dehydratase (DHAD), the rate-limiting enzyme in the synthesis of branched-chain (BCA) amino acids in bacteria and plants, is sensitive to oxyradical toxicity. Oxidant stress reversibly inactivates DHAD and causes starvation for BCA and reversible cessation of growth in Escherichia coli [1][2]. To better understand the underlying toxicity mechanisms, we have determined the cellular concentrations of charged-tRNAs for BCA, in E. coli treated with the redox-active chemical, paraquat. Contrary to expectation, in the paraquat-treated cells, the concentration of only charged leucyl-tRNA decreased dramatically;whereas, the concentrations of the other BCAs (valine and isoleucine) increased. This paradoxical result, the “paraquat effect” can be best explained if leucine is the most abundant amino acid in the E. coli proteins and therefore the rate-limiting building block in their synthesis. Based on this assumption, we investigated the concentration of free amino acids in E. coli and their relative abundances in E. coli proteins. Protein amino acid frequencies were determined by analyzing one-hundred gene bank protein sequences with software developed as described in Methods. Leucine is the most abundant amino acid in the E. coli proteins (10%) and consequently, the cellular free leucine concentration is smaller and the native charged-leucyl-tRNA levels are much higher than those of valine and isoleucine. This has relevance to humans because: leucine-deprivation was shown to be beneficial in tumor suppression [3], and leucine-supplementation was beneficial in the recovery from exercise-induced muscle loss [4][5], and leucine also occurs at a higher frequency in almost all human proteins. In three human protein categories, we examined it ranged from 9% to 17%. This predominance of leucine in proteins would make cells vulnerable to impairment of the leucine pools and could explain our results in E. coli and some of the biological effects of free leucine in humans.

Escherichia coli Pathotypes in Children with Acute Diarrhea in an Informal Settlement in Nairobi, Kenya

Diarrhea is among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in children aged Escherichia coli (DEC) accounts for 30% - 40% of childhood diarrhea cases. To identify the pathotypes involved in diarrheal outbreaks in Kenya, we analyzed archived E. coli isolates from children E. coli confirmation and antimicrobial susceptibility testing were done using the VITEK®2 instrument. Pathotype identification was performed via conventional polymerase chain reaction. Of 175 E. coli isolates, 48 (27%) were DEC pathotypes, with enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC) predominating (71%, 34/48). Enterohemorrhagic (EHEC) and enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) represented 19% and 10% of isolates, respectively. Enteroinvasive and enterotoxigenic pathotypes were not identified. All DEC isolates were susceptible to amikacin, ertapenem, imipenem, meropenem and tigecycline. Conversely, most (>80%) isolates were resistant to ampicillin, ampicillin-sulbactam and sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim. Half of all EAEC and EPEC strains were resistant to cefazolin while half of EHEC isolates were resistant to ciprofloxacin and moxifloxacin. In total, 18 resistance phenotypes were identified with “ampicillin-cefazolin-ampicillin/ sulbactam-sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim” predominating (33%, 16/48). The majority (81%) of DEC isolates were multidrug-resistant, with extended-spectrum beta-lactamase production identified in 8% of these isolates. This study highlights the predominance of Enteroaggregative E. coli and multidrug resistance of DEC pathotypes. Studying the epidemiology of diarrheal disease and antimicrobial resistance surveillance, will aid in identifying dominant etiological agents of diarrhea and newly emerging resistant strains in informal settlements.

Antimicrobial Effects of Plant Compounds against Virulent <i>Escherichia coli</i>O157:H7 Strains Containing Shiga Toxin Genes in Laboratory Media and on Romaine Lettuce and Spinach

Escherichia coli strains produce Shiga-toxins Stx-1 and Stx-2 that contribute to their virulence. The objective was to evaluate antimicrobial activities of plant essential oils (oregano, cinnamon, lemongrass), their active components (carvacrol, cinnamaldehyde, citral) and plant-extracts (green tea polyphenols, apple skin, black tea, decaffeinated black tea, grapeseed and pomace extracts) against E. coli O157:H7 strains containing Stx-1 and Stx-2 genes, as determined by Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction, in vitro and on leafy greens. Antimicrobials at various concentrations in sterile PBS were added to bacterial cultures (~3 - 4 logs CFU/ml), mixed thoroughly, and incubated at 37°C. Surviving bacteria were enumerated at 0, 1, 3, 5 and 24 h. The most effective essential oil (oregano oil;0.5%) and plant extract (green tea;3%) were evaluated against E. coli O157:H7 on romaine lettuce and spinach stored at 4°C for 7 days. Microbial survival was a function of the concentration of antimicrobials and incubation times. All antimicrobials reduced bacterial population to below detection levels in vitro;however, essential oils and active components exhibited greater activity than plant extracts. Oregano oil and green tea reduced E. coli O157:H7 on lettuce and spinach to below detection. Plant-based antimicrobials have the potential to protect foods against E. coli O157: