Attack of the clones: whole genome-based characterization of two closely related enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O26 epidemic lineages.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) O26:H11/H^-, the most common non-O157 serotype causing hemolytic uremic syndrome worldwide, are evolutionarily highly dynamic with new pathogenic clones emerging rapidly. Here, we investigated the population structure of EHEC O26 isolated from patients in several European countries using whole genome sequencing, with emphasis on a detailed analysis of strains of the highly virulent new European clone (nEC) which has spread since 1990s.

Results

Genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-based analysis of 32 EHEC O26 isolated in the Czech Republic, Germany, Austria and Italy demonstrated a split of the nEC (ST29C2 clonal group) into two distinct lineages, which we termed, based on their temporal emergence, as

SUBMITTER: Karnisova L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6119250 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature