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Journal of Clinical Microbiology, June 2003, p. 2448-2453, Vol. 41, No. 6
0095-1137/03/$08.00+0     DOI: 10.1128/JCM.41.6.2448-2453.2003
Copyright © 2003, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Shiga Toxin 1c-Producing Escherichia coli Strains: Phenotypic and Genetic Characterization and Association with Human Disease

Alexander W. Friedrich,1 Julia Borell,1 Martina Bielaszewska,1 Angelika Fruth,2 Helmut Tschäpe,2 and Helge Karch1*

Institut für Hygiene, Universitätsklinikum Münster, 48149 Münster,1 Robert-Koch Institut, Bereich Wernigerode, 38855 Wernigerode, Germany2

Received 21 January 2003/ Returned for modification 26 February 2003/ Accepted 6 March 2003

The distribution of the stx1c allele among Shiga toxin (Stx)-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) and the virulence characteristics of stx1c-harboring STEC are unknown. In this study, we identified stx1c in 76 (54.3%) of 140 eae-negative, but in none of 155 eae-positive, human STEC isolates (P < 0.000001). The 76 stx1c-harboring E. coli isolates belonged to 22 serotypes, and each produced Stx1c as demonstrated by latex agglutination. Characterization of putative virulence factors demonstrated the presence of the locus of proteolysis activity (LPA) and the high-pathogenicity island in 65.8 and 21.1%, respectively, of the 76 Stx1c-producing E. coli isolates. Moreover, all but three of these strains contained saa, the gene encoding an STEC autoagglutinating adhesin. The virulence profiles of Stx1c-producing E. coli isolates were mostly serotype independent and heterogeneous. This enabled us to subtype the isolates within the same serotype. The individuals infected with Stx1c-producing E. coli strains were between 3 months and 72 years old (median age, 23.5 years) and usually had uncomplicated diarrhea or were asymptomatic. We conclude that Stx1c-producing E. coli strains represent a significant subset of eae-negative human STEC isolates, which belong to various serotypes and frequently possess LPA and saa as their putative virulence factors. The phenotypic and molecular characteristics determined in this study allow the subtyping of Stx1c-producing STEC in epidemiological and clinical studies.

* Corresponding author. Mailing address: Institut für Hygiene, Universitätsklinikum Münster, Robert-Koch-Str. 41, 48149 Münster, Germany. Phone: 49/251-83 55 361. Fax: 49/251-83 55 341. E-mail: hkarch{at}uni-muenster.de.

Journal of Clinical Microbiology, June 2003, p. 2448-2453, Vol. 41, No. 6
0095-1137/03/$08.00+0     DOI: 10.1128/JCM.41.6.2448-2453.2003
Copyright © 2003, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.



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