BACKGROUND: Escherichia coli K1 is the most common gram-negative bacterium causing neonatal meningitis, but the mechanisms by which E. coli K1 causes meningitis are not clear. METHODS: We identified 22 E. coli RS218-derived genomic islands (RDIs), using a comparative genome analysis of meningitis-causing E. coli K1 strain RS218 (O18:K1:H7) and laboratory K-12 strain MG1655. Series of RDI deletion mutants were constructed and examined for phenotypes relevant to E. coli K1 meningitis. RESULTS: We identified 9 RDI deletion mutants (RDI 1, 4, 7, 12, 13, 16, 20, 21, and 22) that exhibited defects in meningitis development. RDI 16 and 21 mutants had profound defects in the induction of a high level of bacteremia in neonatal rats, and RDI 4 mutants exhibited a moderate defect in the induction of bacteremia. RDI 1 and 22 mutants showed defects in the ability to invade human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMECs), and RDI 12 mutants were defective in the ability to bind to HBMECs. RDI 13 and 20 mutants were defective in the ability to both bind to and invade HBMECs. RDI 7 mutants were defective in the induction of bacteremia and in the ability to both bind to and invade HBMECs. CONCLUSIONS: These results provide a framework for the future discovery and analysis of bacteremia and meningitis caused by E. coli K1 strain RS218.
BACKGROUND:Escherichia coli K1 is the most common gram-negative bacterium causing neonatal meningitis, but the mechanisms by which E. coli K1 causes meningitis are not clear. METHODS: We identified 22 E. coli RS218-derived genomic islands (RDIs), using a comparative genome analysis of meningitis-causing E. coli K1 strain RS218 (O18:K1:H7) and laboratory K-12 strain MG1655. Series of RDI deletion mutants were constructed and examined for phenotypes relevant to E. coli K1 meningitis. RESULTS: We identified 9 RDI deletion mutants (RDI 1, 4, 7, 12, 13, 16, 20, 21, and 22) that exhibited defects in meningitis development. RDI 16 and 21 mutants had profound defects in the induction of a high level of bacteremia in neonatal rats, and RDI 4 mutants exhibited a moderate defect in the induction of bacteremia. RDI 1 and 22 mutants showed defects in the ability to invade human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMECs), and RDI 12 mutants were defective in the ability to bind to HBMECs. RDI 13 and 20 mutants were defective in the ability to both bind to and invade HBMECs. RDI 7 mutants were defective in the induction of bacteremia and in the ability to both bind to and invade HBMECs. CONCLUSIONS: These results provide a framework for the future discovery and analysis of bacteremia and meningitis caused by E. coli K1 strain RS218.
Authors: Timothy J Johnson; Subhashinie Kariyawasam; Yvonne Wannemuehler; Paul Mangiamele; Sara J Johnson; Curt Doetkott; Jerod A Skyberg; Aaron M Lynne; James R Johnson; Lisa K Nolan Journal: J Bacteriol Date: 2007-02-09 Impact factor: 3.490
Authors: Timothy J Johnson; Dianna Jordan; Subhashinie Kariyawasam; Adam L Stell; Nathan P Bell; Yvonne M Wannemuehler; Claudia Fernández Alarcón; Ganwu Li; Kelly A Tivendale; Catherine M Logue; Lisa K Nolan Journal: Infect Immun Date: 2010-02-16 Impact factor: 3.441
Authors: Timothy J Johnson; Yvonne Wannemuehler; Sara J Johnson; Adam L Stell; Curt Doetkott; James R Johnson; Kwang S Kim; Lodewijk Spanjaard; Lisa K Nolan Journal: Appl Environ Microbiol Date: 2008-09-26 Impact factor: 4.792