Transcript E coli

Dr. Thanaa Rasheed
• The Enterobacteriaceae is a large family of gram-negative rods
found primarily in the intestinal tract of humans and animals. They
cause a variety of diseases.
• This family includes:
• Escherichia coli, Shigella, Salmonella, Klebsiella, Enterobacter,
Serratia ,Proteus , Yersinia and others in which some of them are
normal flora such as E. coli (coliform).
•
1.They are all facultative anaerobes. (2) They
all
ferment
glucose
(3)
None
have
cytochrome oxidase (i.e., they are oxidasenegative)
and (4) they reduce nitrates to
nitrites as part of their energy-generating
processes.
•
Antigenic structure used for identification purposes both in the clinical laboratory and
in epidemiologic investigations.
O antigens

The cell wall antigen (also known as the somatic Ags) is the outer polysaccharide
portion of the cell wall lipopolysaccharide.

Is the basis for the serologic typing of many enteric rods.

O antigens are resistant to heat and alcohol and usually are detected by
agglutination test.

Antibodies to O antigens are predominantly IgM.
•
H antigen

Is on the flagellar protein(flagellae) .

Only on flagellated organisms, such as Escherichia and Salmonella.

The H antigens denaturized or removed by heat and alcohol.

H Ags agglutinate with anti-H Ag Antibodies (IgG).
• K antigen

The capsular or K polysaccharide antigens
are external to O Ag on
some but not all Enterobacteriaceae such as Klebsiella .

Some K Ag are polysaccharides and others are proteins.

The K antigen is identified by the quellung (capsular swelling) reaction
in the presence of specific antisera .

In Sal. typhi, the cause of typhoid fever, it is called the Vi (or virulence)
antigen.

This Ag may interfere with agglutination by O-Antisera.

K Ags of E coli cause attachment of the bacteria to the epithelial cell
prior to GIT or UT invasions.
Colicins (Bacteriocins)


Many gram-negative organisms produce bacteriocins.
These high-molecular-weight bactericidal proteins are produced
by certain strains of bacteria active against some other strains of
the same or closely related species.

Their production is controlled by plasmids.

e.g: Colicins are produced by E coli; marcescens by Serratia,
and pyocins by Pseudomonas.

Bacteriocin-producing strains are resistant to their own
bacteriocin; thus, bacteriocins can be used for "typing" of
organisms.
Toxins
• Most
gram-negative
bacteria
possess
complex
lipopolysaccharides in their cell walls (endotoxins).
• These
substances;
membrane,
cell
envelope
(cytoplasmic
outer
membrane)
peptidoglycan,
endotoxins, have a variety of pathophysiologic effects.
• Many gram-negative enteric bacteria also produce
exotoxins of clinical importance.
Classification
• Genus and species designations are based on phenotypic
characteristics, such as
 Patterns of carbohydrate fermentation and amino acid
breakdown.
• The O, K, and H antigens are used to further divide some
species into multiple serotypes. These types are expressed
with letter and number of the specific antigen, such as
Escherichia coli O157:H7.
Diseases Caused by Enterobacteriaceae other than Salmonella
& Shigella
1. E coli, Proteus, Enterobacter, Klebsiella, Morganella, Providencia, Citrobacter, and
Serratia spp all are normal flora of the upper respiratory and genetal tracts.
2. The bacteria become pathogenic only when they reach tissues outside of their normal
sites (urinary tract, biliary tract, and other sites in the abdominal cavity).
3. Some of the enteric bacteria (eg, Serratia marcescens, Enterobacter aerogenes) are
opportunistic pathogens.
4. When normal host defenses are inadequate—particularly in infancy or old age, in
the terminal stages of other diseases, after immunosuppression, or with
indwelling venous or urethral catheters—localized clinically important
infections can result, and the bacteria may reach the bloodstream and cause
sepsis.
Escherichia coli (E coli)
• Antigenic structure of Escherichia coli
1. The O, H and K antigen (is the polysaccharide capsule present in
some strains).
2. Pili: Most E coli have type 1 (common) hair-like pili extending
from the surface. Pili play a role in virulence as mediators of
attachment to specific receptor on human epithelial surfaces.
3. Toxins: Exotoxin , α -hemolysin ,cytotoxic necrotizing factor (CNF)
,Shiga like toxin (Stx), Labile toxin (LT), Stable toxin (ST)
Pathogenesis & Clinical Findings
• E. coli
E coli is the most common cause and accounts
for approximately 90% of first urinary tract infections in young women
• Symptoms
1. Urinary frequency, dysuria, hematuria, and pyuria.
2. Flank pain is associated with upper tract infection.
3. Bacteremia with clinical signs of sepsis.
4. Nephropathogenic E.coli typically produce hemolysin, which is
cytotoxic and facilitates tissue invasion.
B. E. coli-associated diarrheal diseases
E coli that cause diarrhea are common worldwide.
E coli are classified by the characteristics of their virulent properties as:

Enteropathogenic E coli (EPEC):
Is an important cause of diarrhea in infants, especially in developing countries. Previously was
associated with outbreaks of diarrhea in nurseries in developed countries.
Pathogenesis
1)
EPEC adhere to the mucosal cells of the small bowel.
2)
Chromosomally mediated factors promote tight adherence.
3)
There is loss of microvilli (effacement)
4)
Formation of filamentous actin pedestals or cup-like structures, and, occasionally,
entry of the EPEC into the mucosal cells.
5)
The result of EPEC infection is watery diarrhea, which is usually self-limited but
can be chronic cured by antibiotic treatment.

Enterotoxigenic E coli (ETEC):
Is a common cause of "traveler's diarrhea" and a very important cause of diarrhea in infants in
developing countries.
•
1.
Pathogenesis
ETEC colonization factors specific for humans promote adherence of bacteria to
epithelial cells of the small bowel.
2.
Some strains of ETEC produce a heat-labile exotoxin (LT).It is under the genetic
control of a plasmid. Its subunit B attaches to the ganglioside at the brush border of
epithelial cells of the small intestine and facilitates the entry of subunit A into the
cell, where the latter activates adenylyl cyclase. This markedly increases the local
concentration of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), which results in intense
and prolonged hypersecretion of water and chlorides and inhibits the reabsorption
of sodium. The gut lumen is distended with fluid, and hypermotility and diarrhea
ensue, lasting for several days.
3.
Some strains of ETEC produce the heat-stable enterotoxin STa which is under the
genetic control of a heterogeneous group of plasmids. STa activates guanylyl cyclase
in enteric epithelial cells and stimulates fluid secretion.
4.
Many STa-positive strains also produce LT. The strains with both toxins produce a
more severe diarrhea.

Enterohemorrhagic E coli (EHEC):
Also known as Shiga toxin producing E coli (STEC), Produce cytotoxic
toxins (verotoxins). There are at least two antigenic forms of the toxin
referred to as Shiga-like toxin 1 and Shiga-like toxin 2. E coli O157:H7 is
the most common serotype and is the one that can be identified in clinical
specimens.
• Symptoms
1.
E coli hemorrhagic colitis, a severe form of diarrhea.
2.
Hemolytic uremic syndrome, a disease resulting in acute renal failure
• Microangiopathic hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia.
• Control
• Can be prevented by thoroughly cooking ground beef.

1)
2)
Enteroinvasive E coli (EIEC):
Produces a disease very similar to shigellosis.
The disease occurs most commonly in children in developing countries and in
travelers to these countries.
3)
Like Shigella, EIEC strains are non-lactose or late lactose fermenters and
are nonmotile.
4)

EIEC produce disease by invading intestinal mucosal epithelial cells.
Enteroaggregative E coli (EAEC):
1)
Causes acute and chronic diarrhea in persons in developing countries.
2)
Also cause food-borne illnesses in industrialized countries.
3)
They are characterized by their specific patterns of adherence to human
cells.
4)
EAEC produce ST-like toxin and a hemolysin.
C. Sepsis
1)
When normal host defenses are inadequate, E coli may reach
the bloodstream and cause sepsis.
2)
Newborns may be highly susceptible to E coli sepsis because
they lack IgM antibodies.
3)
Sepsis may occur secondary to urinary tract infection.
D. Meningitis
1)
E coli is the leading causes of meningitis in infants.
2)
Approximately 75% of E coli from meningitis cases have the
K1 antigen.
Klebsiella, Enterobacter, Serratia, Proteus, Morganella, Providencia; &
Citrobacter

1)
Klebsiella
K pneumoniae is present in the respiratory tract and feces of about 5% of normal
individuals.
2)
It causes a small proportion (about 1%) of bacterial pneumonias.
3)
K pneumoniae can produce extensive hemorrhagic necrotizing consolidation of
the lung.
4)
It produces urinary tract infection and bacteremia with focal lesions in
debilitated patients.
5)
Klebsiella sp. rank among the top ten bacterial pathogens responsible for
hospital-acquired infections.
6)
Klebsiella ozaenae
is the other klebsiellae are associated with inflammatory
conditions of the upper respiratory tract has been isolated from the nasal
mucosa. .

1)
Enterobacter
Three species of Enterobacter, E cloacae, E aerogenes, and E sakazakii
.
2)
These bacteria ferment lactose, it has small capsules that produce
mucoid colonies and they are motile.
3)
These organisms cause a broad range of hospital acquired infections
such as pneumonia, urinary tract infections, wound and device
infections.

Serratia
1)
S marcescens is a common opportunistic pathogen in hospitalized patients.
2)
Serratia (usually nonpigmented) causes pneumonia, bacteremia and
endocarditis especially in narcotics addicts and hospitalized patients.
Enterobacter
Serratia

1)
Proteus
Proteus species produce infections in humans only when the bacteria leave
the intestinal tract.
2)
They are found in urinary tract infections and produce bacteremia,
pneumonia, and focal lesions in debilitated patients or those receiving
intravenous infusions.
3)
P mirabilis causes urinary tract infections and occasionally other infections.
4)
Proteus vulgaris and Morganella morganii are important nosocomial
pathogens.
5)
Proteus species produce urease, resulting in rapid hydrolysis of urea with
liberation of ammonia. Thus, in urinary tract infections with Proteus, the
urine becomes alkaline, promoting stone formation.
6)
The rapid motility of Proteus may contribute to its invasion of the urinary
tract.
Acinetobacter baumannii
1)
Is an opportunistic human pathogen.
2)
Part of the normal microflora of between 25-70% of the population .
3)
Infections appear to be concentrated in intensive care units (ICUs),
burns wards, high dependency units (HDUs) and other areas where
very sick patients reside.
4)
There has also been a trend of military personnel in Iraq and
Afghanistan acquiring A. baumannii infections upon repatriation.
5)
It is thought that A. baumannii can also be spread by airborne
transmission, person-to-person contact, through contaminated
environmental surfaces and medical equipment.

Providencia
1) Providencia species (Providencia rettgeri, Providencia
alcalifaciens, and Providencia stuartii) are members of the
normal intestinal flora.
2) All cause urinary tract infections and occasionally other
infections and are often resistant to antimicrobial
therapy.

Citrobacter
Cause urinary tract infections and sepsis.
Diagnostic Laboratory Tests
 Specimens: Specimens include urine, blood, pus, spinal fluid, sputum, or
other material, as indicated by the localization of the disease process.
 Smears :For Gram stain. The Enterobacteriaceae resemble each other
morphologically. The presence of large capsules is suggestive of
Klebsiella.
 Culture :Specimens are plated on enrichment ,blood agar and
differential media.
 Biochemical tests : Very important.
 Serotyping.
 Treatment
 The sulfonamides, ampicillin, cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones,
and aminoglycosides have marked antibacterial effects against the
enteric bacteria with variation in the susceptibility so the
laboratory tests for antibiotic susceptibility are essential.
 Multiple drug resistance is common and is under the control of
transmissible plasmids.
 Certain conditions predisposing to infection by these organisms
require surgical correction, eg, relief of urinary tract
obstruction, closure of a perforation in an abdominal organ, or
resection of a bronchiectatic portion of lung.
 Treatment of gram-negative bacteremia and impending septic
shock requires rapid institution of antimicrobial therapy,
restoration of fluid and electrolyte balance, and treatment of
disseminated intravascular coagulation.
The Shigellae
• The natural habitat of shigellae is the intestinal tracts of humans and
other primates, where they produce bacillary dysentery. Shigellae are
transmitted by "food, fingers, feces, and flies" from person to person.
Most cases of Shigella infection occur in children under 10 years of age.
There are four Groups and Types of shigellae:
• Group A
Shigella dysenteriae
• Group B
Shigella flexneri
• Group C
Shigella boydii
• Group D
Shigella sonnei
General properties
1)
Shigellae are slender gram-negative rods; coccobacillary forms
occur in young cultures.
2)
Culture:
Shigellae are facultative anaerobes but grow best
aerobically. Convex, circular, transparent colonies with intact
edges reach a diameter of about 2 mm in 24 hours.
3)
Growth Characteristics: All shigellae ferment glucose. With the
exception of Shigella sonnei, they do not ferment lactose on
differential media.
4)
Shigellae form acid from carbohydrates but rarely produce gas.
They may also be divided into those that ferment mannitol and
those that do not.

1)
Pathogenesis & Pathology
Shigella infections are almost always limited to the gastrointestinal tract;
bloodstream invasion is quite rare.
2)
Shigellae are highly communicable; the infective dose is on the order of 102
organisms
3)
The essential pathologic process is invasion of the mucosal epithelial cells
(eg, M cells) by induced phagocytosis, escape from the phagocytic vacuole,
multiplication and spread within the epithelial cell cytoplasm, and passage
to adjacent cells.
4)
Microabscesses in the wall of the large intestine and terminal ileum lead to
necrosis of the mucous membrane, superficial ulceration, bleeding, and
formation of a "pseudomembrane" on the ulcerated area.
5)
Pseudomembrane consists of fibrin, leukocytes, cell debris, a necrotic
mucous membrane, and bacteria.
6)
As the process subsides, granulation tissue fills the ulcers and scar tissue
forms.
• Toxins
Endotoxin:
a) Upon autolysis, all shigellae release their toxic lipopolysaccharide.
b) This endotoxin probably contributes to the irritation of the bowel wall.
 Shigella dysenteriae Exotoxin :
a) S dysenteriae type 1 (Shiga bacillus) produces a heat-labile exotoxin that affects
both the gut and the central nervous system.
b) The exotoxin is a protein that is antigenic (stimulating production of antitoxin)
and lethal for experimental animals.
c) Acting as an enterotoxin, it produces diarrhea as does the E coli Shiga-like
toxin.
d) It inhibits sugar and amino acid absorption in the small intestine.
e) Acting as a "neurotoxin," this material may contribute to the extreme severity
and fatal nature of S dysenteriae infections and to the central nervous system
reactions observed in them (ie, meningismus, coma).

1)
Clinical Findings
After a short incubation period (1–2 days), there is a sudden
onset of abdominal pain, fever, and watery diarrhea.
2)
A day or so later, as the infection involves the ileum and colon,
the number of stools increases; they are less liquid but often
contain mucus and blood.
3)
Each bowel movement is accompanied by straining and
tenesmus (rectal spasms), with resulting lower abdominal pain.
4)
Fever and diarrhea subside spontaneously in 2–5 days.
5)
In children and the elderly, loss of water and electrolytes may
lead to dehydration, acidosis, and even death.
6)
The illness due to S dysenteriae may be particularly severe.
7)
On recovery, most persons shed dysentery bacilli for only a
short period, but a few remain chronic intestinal carriers.
• Diagnosis
 Specimens: include fresh stool, mucus flecks, and rectal swabs for culture. Large
numbers of fecal leukocytes and some red blood cells often are seen
microscopically.
 Serum specimens, if desired, must be taken 10 days apart to demonstrate a rise in
titer of agglutinating antibodies.
 Culture: The materials are streaked on differential media (eg, MacConkey or
EMB agar) and on selective media (Hektoen enteric agar or Salmonella-Shigella
agar and XLD), which suppress other Enterobacteriaceae and gram-positive
organisms.

Colorless (lactose-negative) colonies are inoculated into triple sugar iron agar.
Organisms that fail to produce H2S, that produce acid but not gas in the butt
and an alkaline slant in triple sugar iron agar medium, and that are nonmotile
should be subjected to slide agglutination by specific Shigella antisera.
 Serology: Serology is not used to diagnose Shigella infections.
Treatment
• Ciprofloxacin, ampicillin, doxycycline, and trimethoprimsulfamethoxazole can suppress acute clinical attacks of
dysentery and shorten the duration of symptoms. Multiple
drug resistance can be transmitted by plasmids, and
resistant infections are widespread. Many cases are selflimited.
 Control
Sanitary control of water, food, and milk; sewage
disposal; and fly control; (2) isolation of patients and
disinfection of excreta; (3) detection of subclinical cases
and carriers, particularly food handlers; and (4) antibiotic
treatment of infected individuals.
The Salmonella
o Salmonellae are often pathogenic for humans or animals
when acquired by the oral route.
o They are transmitted from animals and animal products to
humans, where they cause enterocolitis, enteric fevers such
as typhoid fever, and septicemia with metastatic infections
such as osteomyelitis.
o The typhoidal species are Sal. typhi and Sal. Paratyphi A, B.
The nontyphoidal species are the many strains of Sal.
enteritidis. Sal. choleraesuis is the species most often
involved in metastatic infections.
 General properties
1. Salmonellae vary in length. Most isolates are motile with peritrichous
flagella.
• Salmonellae grow readily on simple media, but they almost never
ferment lactose or sucrose.
• They form acid and sometimes gas from glucose and mannose.
• They usually produce H2S.
• They survive freezing in water for long periods.
• Salmonellae are resistant to certain chemicals (eg, brilliant green,
sodium tetrathionate, sodium deoxycholate) that inhibit other enteric
bacteria; such compounds are therefore useful for inclusion in media to
isolate salmonellae from feces.
 Epidemiology
• Salmonella Typhi, Salmonella Choleraesuis, and perhaps Salmonella
Paratyphi A and Salmonella Paratyphi B are primarily infective for
humans and from a human source (carriers).
• The reservoir for human infection are poultry, pigs, rodents, cattle, pets
(from turtles to parrots), and many others.
• The organisms almost always enter via the oral route, usually with
contaminated food or drink.
• The mean infective dose to produce clinical or subclinical infection in
humans is 105–108 salmonellae (but perhaps as few as 103 Salmonella
Typhi organisms).
• Among the host factors that contribute to resistance to salmonella
infection are gastric acidity, normal intestinal microbial flora, and local
intestinal immunity.
Clinical Findings & Pathogenesis
• Salmonellae produce three main types of disease in humans, but mixed
forms are frequent:
A. Enteric Fevers (Typhoid fever)
• Salmonella Typhi (typhoid fever) is the most important.
• The ingested salmonellae reach the small intestine, from which they
enter the lymphatics and then the bloodstream.
• They are carried by the blood to many organs, including the intestine.
• The organisms multiply in intestinal lymphoid tissue and are excreted in
stools.
• After an incubation period of 10–14 days, fever, malaise, headache,
constipation, bradycardia, and myalgia occur.
• The fever rises to a high plateau, and the spleen and liver become
enlarged.
• Rose spots, usually on the skin of the abdomen or chest, are seen briefly
in rare cases.
• The white blood cell count is normal or low.
• In the preantibiotic era, the chief complications of enteric fever were
intestinal hemorrhage and perforation,
• The mortality rate was 10–15%. Treatment with antibiotics has reduced
the mortality rate to less than 1%.
• The principal lesions are hyperplasia and necrosis of lymphoid tissue
(eg, Peyer's patches), hepatitis, focal necrosis of the liver, and
inflammation of the gallbladder, periosteum, lungs, and other organs.
B. Bacteremia with Focal Lesions
• This is associated commonly with S choleraesuis but may be caused by any
salmonella serotype.
• Following oral infection, there is early invasion of the bloodstream (with
possible focal lesions in lungs, bones, meninges, etc), but intestinal
manifestations are often absent.
C. Enterocolitis (Formely gastroenteritis)
1.
This is the most common manifestation of salmonella infection.
2.
Salmonella Typhimurium and Salmonella Enteritidis are prominent, but enterocolitis
can be caused by any serotypes of salmonellae.
3.
Eight to 48 hours after ingestion of salmonellae, there is nausea, headache, vomiting,
and profuse diarrhea, with few leukocytes in the stools.
4.
Low-grade fever is common, but the episode usually resolves in 2–3 days.
5.
Inflammatory lesions of the small and large intestine are present.
6.
Bacteremia is rare (2–4%) except in immunodeficient persons.
 Diagnosis

Specimens
 Blood for culture must be taken repeatedly. In enteric
fevers and septicemias, blood cultures are often positive in
the first week of the disease.
 Bone marrow cultures may be useful.
 Urine cultures may be positive after the 2nd week.
 Stool specimens also must be taken repeatedly. In enteric
fevers, the stools yield positive results from the 2nd or 3rd
week and in enterocolitis, during the 1st week.
 A positive culture of duodenal drainage establishes the
presence of salmonellae in the biliary tract in carriers.

Bacteriologic Methods for Isolation of Salmonellae
a) Enrichment cultures—The specimen (usually stool) also is put into
selenite F or tetrathionate broth, both of which inhibit replication of
normal intestinal flora . After incubation for 1–2 days, this is plated on
differential and selective media.
b) Differential medium cultures—EMB, MacConkey, or deoxycholate
medium permits rapid detection of lactose nonfermenters.
c) Bismuth sulfite medium permits rapid detection of Salmonella typhi
which form black colonies because of H2S production.
d) Selective medium cultures—The specimen is plated on salmonella-
shigella (SS) agar, Hektoen enteric agar, XLD, or deoxycholate-citrate
agar.

Biochemical reaction
Final identification—Suspect colonies from solid media
are identified by biochemical reaction patterns

Serologic Methods
Are used to identify unknown cultures with known sera and may also be used to
determine antibody titers in patients with unknown illness and include:
a) Slide Agglutination Test
1)Known sera and unknown culture are mixed on a slide.
2) Clumping can be observed within a few minutes (+ve).
3)This test is particularly useful for rapid preliminary identification.
4)There are commercial kits available to agglutinate and serogroup
salmonellae by their O antigens: A, B, C1, C2, D, and E.
b) Tube dilution agglutination test (Widal test)

Serum agglutinins rise sharply during the second and third weeks of
Salmonella Typhi infection.

The Widal test to detect these antibodies against the O , Vi and H antigens.

At least two serum specimens, obtained at intervals of 7–10 days, are needed
to prove a rise in antibody titer.

Serial dilutions of unknown sera are tested against antigens from
representative salmonellae.

False-positive and false-negative results occur.
 Results

Rising titer against the O antigen of >1:320
active infection

Rising titer against the H antigen of >1:640
positive.

High titer of antibody to the Vi antigen
carriers.
 Rapid colorimetric and enzyme immunoassay
methods.
Treatment

Enteric fevers and bacteremias with focal lesions require antimicrobial
treatment while enterocolitis does not.

Antimicrobial therapy of invasive Salmonella infections is with ampicillin,
trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, or a third-generation cephalosporin.

Antimicrobial treatment of Salmonella enteritis in neonates is important.

In severe diarrhea, replacement of fluids and electrolytes is essential.

Susceptibility testing is an important adjunct to selecting a proper antibiotic.

In most carriers, the organisms persist in the gallbladder (particularly if
gallstones are present) and in the biliary tract. Some chronic carriers have
been cured by ampicillin alone, but in most cases cholecystectomy must be
combined with drug treatment.