Comparison of virulence-associated traits between a UPEC strain HEC4 and a APEC strain E058
尿道致病性大肠杆菌HEC4株和禽源致病性大肠杆菌E058株毒力相关特性的比较

Since avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) and human uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) may encounter similar challenges when establishing infection in the extra-intestinal locations of the hosts, they may share a similar content of virulence genes and capacity to cause disease. One APEC and one UPEC isolates were compared by their content of virulence genes and other traits. The two strains showed overlap in terms of their virulence genotypes, including their possession of certain genes associated with a large transmissible plasmid of APEC,and also shared some biochemical activities. Study of the pathogenicity of UPEC in chicks showed the similar symptoms and lesions compare to those caused by APEC. Based on these results, the potential whether APEC might serve as a reservoir of plasmid-linked and virulence genes for UPEC should be considered.