Comparative analyses of persistence traits in Escherichia coli O157:H7 strains belonging to different clades including REPEXH01 and REPEXH02 strains.

ABSTRACT: Recent application of whole genome sequencing in the investigation of foodborne illness outbreaks has facilitated the identification of Reoccurring, Emerging, or Persistent (REP) bacterial strains that have caused illnesses over extended periods of time. Here, the complete genomes of two Escherichia coli O157:H7 (EcO157) outbreak strains belonging to REPEXH01 and REPEXH02, respectively, were sequenced and annotated. Comparative genomics and phenotypic analyses were carried out to identify REP-associated traits. The REPEXH01 strain PNUSAE013245 belonged to clade 8 and shared >96% CDSs with the 2006 spinach-associated outbreak strain EC4115. A 79-Kb genomic island was identified only in PNUSAE013245, and encoded functions related to heavy metals and antibiotic resistances. The REPEXH0

SUBMITTER: Carter MQ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11688487 | biostudies-literature | 2024

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature