Molecular Epidemiological Analysis of Escherichia coli Sequence Type ST131 (O25:H4) andblaCTX-M-15among Extended-Spectrum-β-Lactamase-Producing E. coli from the United States, 2000 to 2009

Abstract

ABSTRACTEscherichia colisequence type ST131 (from phylogenetic group B2), often carrying the extended-spectrum-β-lactamase (ESBL) geneblaCTX-M-15, is an emerging globally disseminated pathogen that has received comparatively little attention in the United States. Accordingly, a convenience sample of 351 ESBL-producingE. coliisolates from 15 U.S. centers (collected in 2000 to 2009) underwent PCR-based phylotyping and detection of ST131 andblaCTX-M-15. A total of 200 isolates, comprising 4 groups of 50 isolates each that were (i)blaCTX-M-15negative non-ST131, (ii)blaCTX-M-15positive non-ST131, (iii)blaCTX-M-15negative ST131, or (iv)blaCTX-M-15positive ST131, also underwent virulence genotyping, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Overall, 201 (57%) isolates exhibitedblaCTX-M-15, whereas 165 (47%) were ST131. ST131 accounted for 56% ofblaCTX-M-15-positive- versus 35% ofblaCTX-M-15-negative isolates (P< 0.001). Whereas ST131 accounted for 94% of the 175 total group B2 isolates, non-ST131 isolates were phylogenetically distributed byblaCTX-M-15status, with groups A (blaCTX-M-15-positive isolates) and D (blaCTX-M-15-negative isolates) predominating. BothblaCTX-M-15and ST131 occurred at all participating centers, were recovered from children and adults, increased significantly in prevalence post-2003, and were associated with molecularly inferred virulence. Compared with non-ST131 isolates, ST131 isolates had higher virulence scores, distinctive virulence profiles, and more-homogeneous PFGE profiles.blaCTX-M-15was associated with extensive antimicrobial resistance and ST131 with fluoroquinolone resistance. Thus,E. coliST131 andblaCTX-M-15are emergent, widely distributed, and predominant among ESBL-positiveE. colistrains in the United States, among children and adults alike. Enhanced virulence and antimicrobial resistance have likely promoted the epidemiological success of these emerging public health threats.