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Journal of Clinical Microbiology, June 2009, p. 1811-1817, Vol. 47, No. 6
0095-1137/09/$08.00+0     doi:10.1128/JCM.01421-08
Copyright © 2009, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Virulence Potential of Escherichia coli Isolates from Skin and Soft Tissue Infections{triangledown}

Ziva Petkovsek,1 Kristina Elersic,2 Marija Gubina,3 Darja Zgur-Bertok,1 and Marjanca Starcic Erjavec1*

Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Vecna pot 111, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia,1 Department of Surface Engineering and Optoelectronics, Institut Jozef Stefan, Teslova ulica 30, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia,2 Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Zaloska 4, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia3

Received 24 July 2008/ Returned for modification 13 January 2009/ Accepted 26 March 2009

Escherichia coli strains frequently are isolated from skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI); however, their virulence potential has not yet been extensively studied. In the present study, we characterized 102 E. coli SSTI strains isolated mostly from surgical and traumatic wounds, foot ulcers, and decubitus. The strains were obtained from the Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia. Phylogenetic backgrounds, virulence factors (VFs), and antibiotic resistance profiles were determined. Correlations between VFs and phylogenetic groups were established and analyzed with regard to patient factors. Further, the associations of the three most prevalent antibiotic resistance patterns with virulence potential were analyzed. Our results showed that the majority of the studied strains (65%) belonged to the B2 phylogenetic group. The most prevalent VF was ompT (80%), while toxin genes cnf1 and hlyA were found with prevalences of 32 and 30%, respectively. None of the investigated bacterial characteristics were significantly associated with patient gender, age, type of infection, or immunodeficiency. The most prevalent antibiotic resistance pattern was resistance to ampicillin (46%), followed by resistance to tetracycline (25%) and fluoroquinolones (21%). Strains resistant to ciprofloxacin exhibited a significantly reduced prevalence of cnf1 (P < 0.05) and usp (P < 0.01). Our study revealed that E. coli isolates from SSTIs exhibit a remarkable virulence potential that is comparable to that of E. coli isolates from urinary tract infections and bacteremia.

* Corresponding author. Mailing address: Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Vecna pot 111, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia. Phone: 386 1 423 33 88. Fax: 386 1 257 33 90. E-mail: marjanca.starcic.erjavec{at}bf.uni-lj.si

{triangledown} Published ahead of print on 8 April 2009.

Journal of Clinical Microbiology, June 2009, p. 1811-1817, Vol. 47, No. 6
0095-1137/09/$08.00+0     doi:10.1128/JCM.01421-08
Copyright © 2009, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.





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