Associations of molecular types, virulence-gene profiles and virulence patterns in the murine sepsis model of the 23 ST131 <i>E. coli</i> isolates studied.

aVirotypes (including new assigned E) and subtypes of virotype D. bNumber of mice dead within 24 h postinjection. Isolates were classified as rapidly lethal if ≥80% of mice challenged with them died within 24 h postinjection. cNumber of mice dead within 25–48 h postinjection. dTotal number of mice dead within 7 days of experiment. eTotal number of mice dead within 7 days of experiment (final lethality) plus number of mice with local presence of lesion (acute inflammation in the region of bacterial inoculation) when euthanatized. fVirulence-gene profile obtained by PCR for detection of 40 ExPEC-associated virulence genes. gVirulence-gene (VG) score calculated as the sum of all virulence genes detected in an isolate. hExPEC status defined as presence ≥2 of papEF, sfa/focDE, afa/draBC, iutA and kpsM II. iIsolates FV 9873, FV 7563 and H1659 exhibited afa operon FM955459.