Whole genome sequencing of diverse Shiga toxin-producing and non-producing Escherichia coli strains reveals a variety of virulence and novel antibiotic resistance plasmids

Liliana Losada, Chitrita DebRoy, Diana Radune, Maria Kim, Ravi Sanka, Lauren Brinkac, Subhashinie Kariyawasam, Daniel Shelton, Pina M. Fratamico, Vivek Kapur, Peter C.H. Feng*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

18 Scopus citations

Abstract

The genomes of a diverse set of Escherichia coli, including many Shiga toxin-producing strains of various serotypes were determined. A total of 39 plasmids were identified among these strains, and many carried virulence or putative virulence genes of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli strains, virulence genes for other pathogenic E. coli groups, and some had combinations of these genes. Among the novel plasmids identified were eight that carried resistance genes to aminoglycosides, carbapenems, penicillins, cephalosporins, chloramphenicol, dihydrofolate reductase inhibitors, sulfonamides, tetracyclines and resistance to heavy metals. Two of the plasmids carried six of these resistance genes and two novel IncHI2 plasmids were also identified. The results of this study showed that plasmids carrying diverse resistance and virulence genes of various pathogenic E. coli groups can be found in E. coli strains and serotypes regardless of the isolate's source and therefore, is consistent with the premise that these mobile elements carrying these traits may be broadly disseminated among E. coli.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)8-11
Number of pages4
JournalPlasmid
Volume83
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jan 2016
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Antibiotic resistance
  • Genome sequencing
  • Plasmids
  • STEC
  • Virulence genes

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