Abstract | OBJECTIVES: To use multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to screen a large number of Escherichia coli clinical isolates for virulence factor genes and to evaluate the importance of several known factors in the etiology of urinary tract infection. METHODS: RESULTS: Type 1 fimbriae were present in 81 of the 86 strains and was the only virulence factor in approximately one third of the isolates. Genes for hly, aer, cnf1, sfa, or pap were present in approximately one fourth of the strains; afaI was present less frequently. A positive type 1 fimbriae phenotype was common to all strains that induced a bladder infection in mice. CONCLUSIONS: Multiplex PCR methods can be effectively applied to studies that require genetic screening of numerous E. coli uropathogens. Where phenotypic information was available, it was consistent with genotypes identified by PCR. Infectivity studies showed that the presence of the type 1 fimbriae gene in an E. coli isolate was required to establish a bladder infection. Other genes that were not identified in this study may also be required in mice and humans.
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Authors | Michelle D Morin, Walter J Hopkins |
Journal | Urology
(Urology)
Vol. 60
Issue 3
Pg. 537-41
(Sep 2002)
ISSN: 1527-9995 [Electronic] United States |
PMID | 12350513
(Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)
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Chemical References |
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Topics |
- Adult
- Aged
- Animals
- Disease Models, Animal
- Escherichia coli
(genetics, isolation & purification)
- Escherichia coli Infections
(microbiology)
- Female
- Genes, Bacterial
(genetics)
- Humans
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Middle Aged
- Polymerase Chain Reaction
(methods)
- Urinary Tract Infections
(microbiology)
- Virulence Factors
(analysis, genetics)
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