Emergence of E. coli sequence type ST131

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DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): A specific group of Escherichia coli, sequence type ST131 is a newly recognized, widely disseminated cause of multi-drug-resistant (MDR extraintestinal infections that appears to represent an important emerging health threat in urgent need of study. Therefore, we propose to test the following Hypotheses by accomplishing the following Specific Aims: 1. ST131 has emerged in the past ten years as the predominant FQ-R E. coli clonal group in the US, including among veterans. Aim 1. Assess the annual prevalence of ST131 in the US among FQ-R and FQ-S E. coli in the SENTRY and TRUST collections (1999-2009) and from VA medical centers nationwide (2009). 2. ST131 is more fit than other E. coli in the pathogenic and commensal niches, and is present in foods. 2.a. In humans, ST131 causes more severe infections, in less compromised hosts, than other E. coli. Aim 2.a. Compare clinical presentation (syndrome and severity), illness outcome, and host compromise status among veterans with ST131 vs. non-ST131 E. coli clinical isolates. 2.b. In mice, ST131 is more virulent (UTI, sepsis) than other E. coli, including classic ExPEC strains. Aim 2.b. Compare the virulence of ST131 isolates, non-ST131 clinical isolates, and classic ExPEC strains. 2.c. ST131 exhibits enhanced intestinal colonization and host-to-host transmission, vs. other E. coli Aim 2.c.1. In humans, assess the prevalence of intestinal co-colonization among household members of index patients with ST131 vs. non-ST131 FQ-R E. coli clinical isolates. Aim 2.c.2. In mice, compare ST131 with non-ST131 E. coli for establishment of intestinal colonization after direct challenge or indirect exposure. 2.d. ST131 is present in retail foods, consistent with foodborne transmission. Aim 2.d.1. Determine the prevalence of ST131 in diverse retail foods. Aim 2.d.2. Assess the similarity of food-source versus human-source ST131 isolates according to genomic background, virulence genotype, and resistance profile. 3. Specific host characteristics predict ST131 infection. Aim 3. Compare demographics and exposures among veterans with ST131 infection versus concurrent controls with non-ST131 E. coli infection. 4. ST131 is more receptive to CTX-M-15-encoding genetic elements than are other E. coli. Aim 4. Compare transfer frequencies for CTX-M-15 (vs. other ESBL)-encoding elements from ST131 (vs. non-ST131) donors to ST131 (vs. non-ST131) recipients.