Virulence-gene scheme for defining ST131 <i>E. coli</i> virotypes.

a<p>Positive and negative results obtained by PCR for <i>ibeA</i> (invasion of brain endothelium), <i>iroN</i> (catecholate siderophore receptor), <i>sat</i> (secreted autotransporter toxin), <i>afa/draBC</i> (Afa/Dr adhesins), <i>afa</i> operon FM955459, <i>papG</i> II (allele II of <i>papG</i> gene), <i>papG</i> III (allele III of <i>papG</i> gene), <i>cnf1</i> (cytotoxic necrotizing factor type 1), <i>hlyA</i> (alpha-hemolysin), <i>cdtB</i> (cytolethal distending toxin) and <i>neuC</i>-K1 (K1 variant of group II capsule).</p>b<p>Most isolates of virotype A and B are <i>sat</i>-positive.</p>c<p>Isolates of virotype D3 carry genes <i>sat</i> and <i>afa</i>/<i>draBC</i>, or at least one of them. In addition, some <i>afa/draBC</i> strains are positive for <i>afa</i> operon FM955459.</p

Associations of molecular types, virulence-gene profiles and virulence patterns in the murine sepsis model of the 23 ST131 <i>E. coli</i> isolates studied.

a<p>Virotypes (including new assigned E) and subtypes of virotype D.</p>b<p>Number of mice dead within 24 h postinjection. Isolates were classified as rapidly lethal if ≥80% of mice challenged with them died within 24 h postinjection.</p>c<p>Number of mice dead within 25–48 h postinjection.</p>d<p>Total number of mice dead within 7 days of experiment.</p>e<p>Total number of mice dead within 7 days of experiment (final lethality) plus number of mice with local presence of lesion (acute inflammation in the region of bacterial inoculation) when euthanatized.</p>f<p>Virulence-gene profile obtained by PCR for detection of 40 ExPEC-associated virulence genes.</p>g<p>Virulence-gene (VG) score calculated as the sum of all virulence genes detected in an isolate.</p>h<p>ExPEC status defined as presence ≥2 of <i>papEF</i>, <i>sfa/focDE</i>, <i>afa/draBC</i>, <i>iutA</i> and <i>kpsM II</i>.</p>i<p>Isolates FV 9873, FV 7563 and H1659 exhibited <i>afa</i> operon FM955459.</p

Characteristics of the 23 ST131 extraintestinal <i>E. coli</i> clinical isolates studied.

a<p>Resistances against betalactam antibiotics are not included here. NAL = nalidixic acid, CIP = ciprofloxacin, SXT = trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, TOB = tobramycin, GEN = gentamicin, AMC = amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, FOF = fosfomycin.</p

Allele profile of the 23 ST131 <i>E. coli</i> isolates by the Pasteur Institute MLST scheme.

a<p>Virotypes in which the indicated PST was detected.</p

Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis of <i>Xba</i>I-digested DNA from 23 ST131 <i>E. coli</i> isolates.

<p>The dendrogram was obtained with the UPGMA algorithm based on the Dice similarity coefficient and applying 1% of tolerance in the band position. Isolate designation, O:H serotype, virotype, PST, virulence-gene score, final lethality (mice dead within 7 days/mice challenged), and <i>fimH</i> subtype are shown on the right.</p