Distribution and characterization of virulence-associated genes and phylogroups of the 32 isolates.

Adhesins fimH (D-mannose-specific adhesin of type I fimbriae), fimAvMT78 (FimA variant MT78 of type 1 fimbriae), papEF and papG (P fimbria subunits), sfa/focDE (S fimbrial adhesin/putative F1C fimbrial adhesin), and afa/draBC (Dr antigen specific adhesin); toxins cnf1 (cytotoxic necrotizing factor 1), cdtB (cytolethal distending toxin), sat (secreted autotransporter toxin), hlyA (α-hemolysin), hlyF (hemolysin F), and astA (EAST1, enteroaggregative E. coli heat-stable toxin); siderophores fyuA (yersiniabactin), iutA (aerobactin), iroN (novel catecholate siderophore receptor), and irp-2 (iron repressible associated with yersiniabactin synthesis); protectins kpsM (groups II and III, specifically targeting the K1, K2 and K5 genes of group II capsules), cvaC (ColV, colicin V from serum resistance-associated plasmids), iss (surface exclusion serum survival protein), and traT (serum resistance); miscellaneous virulence genes ompT (protease), ibeA (invasion of brain endothelium), malX (PAI, pathogenicity island marker), and usp (uropathogenic-specific protein, bacteriocin).a Virulence-associated genes shown with asterisk are the five genes characteristics of APEC strains.bP values (by Fisher’s exact test) are shown where Pc The virulence score was the number of virulence genes detected, adjusted for multiple detection of the pap, sfa and foc, and kpsM II operons. Virulence scores were compared by use of the Mann-Whitney U test.Distribution and characterization of virulence-associated genes and phylogroups of the 32 isolates.