Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli plasmid diversity reveals virulence potential and control opportunities in animal hosts
Abstract Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) is a significant public health concern, with plasmids playing a key role in its pathogenicity. This study investigates the relationship between plasmid types, virulence genes, and host specificity in 96 STEC strains isolated from cattle, sheep,...
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Nature Portfolio
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-11905-y |
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| author | Ali Nemati Mahdi Askari Badouei Gholamreza Hashemitabar Maryam Hafiz |
| author_facet | Ali Nemati Mahdi Askari Badouei Gholamreza Hashemitabar Maryam Hafiz |
| author_sort | Ali Nemati |
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| description | Abstract Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) is a significant public health concern, with plasmids playing a key role in its pathogenicity. This study investigates the relationship between plasmid types, virulence genes, and host specificity in 96 STEC strains isolated from cattle, sheep, goats, and pigeons in Iran. We examined the distribution of plasmid-encoded virulence genes, including astA, cma, cba, rhsA1, rhsA2, rhsC, stcE, katP, toxB, espP, subAB, ihaG, LAA iha, saa, etpD, cif, and epeA, along with ehxA subtypes and plasmid replicon types using PCR and RFLP analysis. The most frequently detected virulence factors, rhsC and ihaG, were associated with ehxA subtype A and IncFIB/IncK/B plasmids. Pigeon-derived isolates had a unique virulence profile, including cif but lacking ehxA, suggesting distinct pathogenic mechanisms. stcE and etpD were exclusive to positive controls O157 isolates, linked to ehxA subtype B and IncFIB plasmids. The predominance of ehxA subtype A in ruminants highlights potential host-specific associations. The widespread presence of IncFIB plasmids suggests their broad role in STEC pathogenicity. These findings highlight the critical role of plasmid-encoded virulence factors in STEC pathogenesis and underscore the need for targeted surveillance and control strategies tailored to specific host populations. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-9a4f9b8798324329bf2f9a5fe3f80ceb |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-9a4f9b8798324329bf2f9a5fe3f80ceb2025-08-20T03:42:41ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-07-0115111010.1038/s41598-025-11905-yShiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli plasmid diversity reveals virulence potential and control opportunities in animal hostsAli Nemati0Mahdi Askari Badouei1Gholamreza Hashemitabar2Maryam Hafiz3Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of MashhadDepartment of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of MashhadDepartment of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of MashhadDepartment of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of MashhadAbstract Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) is a significant public health concern, with plasmids playing a key role in its pathogenicity. This study investigates the relationship between plasmid types, virulence genes, and host specificity in 96 STEC strains isolated from cattle, sheep, goats, and pigeons in Iran. We examined the distribution of plasmid-encoded virulence genes, including astA, cma, cba, rhsA1, rhsA2, rhsC, stcE, katP, toxB, espP, subAB, ihaG, LAA iha, saa, etpD, cif, and epeA, along with ehxA subtypes and plasmid replicon types using PCR and RFLP analysis. The most frequently detected virulence factors, rhsC and ihaG, were associated with ehxA subtype A and IncFIB/IncK/B plasmids. Pigeon-derived isolates had a unique virulence profile, including cif but lacking ehxA, suggesting distinct pathogenic mechanisms. stcE and etpD were exclusive to positive controls O157 isolates, linked to ehxA subtype B and IncFIB plasmids. The predominance of ehxA subtype A in ruminants highlights potential host-specific associations. The widespread presence of IncFIB plasmids suggests their broad role in STEC pathogenicity. These findings highlight the critical role of plasmid-encoded virulence factors in STEC pathogenesis and underscore the need for targeted surveillance and control strategies tailored to specific host populations.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-11905-yShiga toxin-producing Escherichia coliSTECPlasmidVirulence factorsAnimal |
| spellingShingle | Ali Nemati Mahdi Askari Badouei Gholamreza Hashemitabar Maryam Hafiz Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli plasmid diversity reveals virulence potential and control opportunities in animal hosts Scientific Reports Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli STEC Plasmid Virulence factors Animal |
| title | Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli plasmid diversity reveals virulence potential and control opportunities in animal hosts |
| title_full | Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli plasmid diversity reveals virulence potential and control opportunities in animal hosts |
| title_fullStr | Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli plasmid diversity reveals virulence potential and control opportunities in animal hosts |
| title_full_unstemmed | Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli plasmid diversity reveals virulence potential and control opportunities in animal hosts |
| title_short | Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli plasmid diversity reveals virulence potential and control opportunities in animal hosts |
| title_sort | shiga toxin producing escherichia coli plasmid diversity reveals virulence potential and control opportunities in animal hosts |
| topic | Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli STEC Plasmid Virulence factors Animal |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-11905-y |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT alinemati shigatoxinproducingescherichiacoliplasmiddiversityrevealsvirulencepotentialandcontrolopportunitiesinanimalhosts AT mahdiaskaribadouei shigatoxinproducingescherichiacoliplasmiddiversityrevealsvirulencepotentialandcontrolopportunitiesinanimalhosts AT gholamrezahashemitabar shigatoxinproducingescherichiacoliplasmiddiversityrevealsvirulencepotentialandcontrolopportunitiesinanimalhosts AT maryamhafiz shigatoxinproducingescherichiacoliplasmiddiversityrevealsvirulencepotentialandcontrolopportunitiesinanimalhosts |