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Emergence of a 'hyperinfectious' bacterial state after passage of Citrobacter rodentium through the host gastrointestinal tract.

Citrobacter rodentium belongs to a family of human and animal enteric pathogens that includes the clinically significant enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) and enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC). These pathogens exploit attaching and effacing (A/E) lesions to colonize the host gastrointestinal tract. However, both EHEC and EPEC are poorly pathogenic in mice. In contrast, C. rodentium, which is genetically highly related to E. coli, relies on A/E lesion formation as an essential step in both colonization and infection of the murine mucosa, providing an excellent in vivo model. In this study we have used bioluminescence imaging (BLI) to investigate the organ specificity and dynamics of colonization of mice by LB-grown and mouse-passaged C. rodentium in situ and in real time. We have demonstrated the appearance of a 'hyperinfectious' state after passage of C. rodentium through the murine gastrointestinal tract. The 'hyperinfectious' state was found to dramatically reduce the dose required to infect secondary individuals, and also influenced the tissue distribution of colonizing bacteria, removing the requirement for primary colonization of the caecal patch. In addition, the 'hyperinfectious' phenotype was found to be transient with one overnight passage in rich medium sufficient to return C. rodentium to 'culture' infectivity.

Administration, Oral↗

Citrobacter rodentium of mice and man.

The major classes of enteric bacteria harbour a conserved core genomic structure, common to both commensal and pathogenic strains, that is most likely optimized to a life style involving colonization of the host intestine and transmission via the environment. In pathogenic bacteria this core genome framework is decorated with novel genetic islands that are often associated with adaptive phenotypes such as virulence. This classical genome organization is well illustrated by a group of extracellular enteric pathogens, which includes enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC), enterohaemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) and Citrobacter rodentium, all of which use attaching and effacing (A/E) lesion formation as a major mechanism of tissue targeting and infection. Both EHEC and EPEC are poorly pathogenic in mice but infect humans and domestic animals. In contrast, C. rodentium is a natural mouse pathogen that is related to E. coli, hence providing an excellent in vivo model for A/E lesion forming pathogens. C. rodentium also provides a model of infections that are mainly restricted to the lumen of the intestine. The mechanism's by which the immune system deals with such infections has become a topic of great interest in recent years. Here we review the literature of C. rodentium from its emergence in the mid-1960s to the most contemporary reports of colonization, pathogenesis, transmission and immunity.

Adhesins, Bacterial↗

Consequences of Citrobacter rodentium infection on enteroendocrine cells and the enteric nervous system in the mouse colon.

We tested the hypothesis that Citrobacter rodentium infection leads to changes in the mucosal enteroendocrine signalling and the enteric nervous system and that the host's immune response contributes to these changes. Enteroendocrine cells, serotonin (5-HT) reuptake transporter (SERT), 5-HT release, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression were assessed in the colon of infected wild-type or severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice. Immunoreactivity for iNOS and neuropeptides were examined in the submucosal and myenteric plexuses. Mice were orogastrically infected with C. rodentium and experiments were conducted during the injury phase (10 days) and the recovery phase (30 days). 5-HT and somatostatin enteroendocrine cells and SERT were significantly reduced 10 days after infection, with numbers returning to control values at 30 days. 5-HT release was increased at 10 days. Changes to the mucosal serotonin signalling system were not observed in SCID mice. iNOS immunoreactivity was increased in the submucosa and mucosa at 10 days and returned to baseline levels by 30 days. No differences were observed in neuropeptide or iNOS immunoreactivity in the enteric plexuses following infection. The host's immune response underlies changes to enteroendocrine cells, SERT expression and 5-HT release in C. rodentium infection. These changes could contribute to disturbances in gut function arising from enteric infection.

Animals↗

Citrobacter rodentium infection causes both mitochondrial dysfunction and intestinal epithelial barrier disruption in vivo: role of mitochondrial associated protein (Map).

Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) and enterohaemorrhagic E. coli are non-invasive attaching/effacing (A/E) bacterial pathogens that infect their host's intestinal epithelium, causing severe diarrhoeal disease. These bacteria utilize a type III secretion apparatus to deliver effector molecules into host cells, subverting cellular function. Mitochondrial associated protein (Map) is a multifunctional effector protein that targets host cell mitochondria and contributes to infection-induced epithelial barrier dysfunction in vitro. Unfortunately, the relevance of these actions to the pathogenesis of EPEC-induced disease is uncertain. Using Citrobacter rodentium, a mouse-adapted A/E bacterium, we found that Map colocalized with host cell mitochondria, and that in vivo infection led to a disruption of mitochondrial morphology in infected colonocytes as assessed by electron microscopy. Histochemical staining for the mitochondrial enzyme succinate dehydrogenase also revealed a significant loss of mitochondrial respiratory function in the infected intestinal epithelium; however, both pathologies were attenuated in mice infected with a Deltamap strain. C. rodentium Map was also implicated in the disruption of epithelial barrier function both in vitro and in vivo. These studies thus advance our understanding of how A/E pathogens subvert host cell functions and cause disease, demonstrating that Map contributes to the functional disruption of the intestinal epithelium during enteric infection by C. rodentium.

Animals↗

Structural and serological studies of lipopolysaccharides of Citrobacter O35 and O38 antigenically related to Salmonella.

Structural analysis using 13C NMR spectroscopy and methylation showed that lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) of Citrobacter freundii O35 and Salmonella arizonae O59 have structurally identical O-specific polysaccharide chains, and those of C. freundii O38 and Salmonella kentucky differ only in the presence of O-acetyl groups in the former. Serological relationships between the structurally similar LPSs were demonstrated using inhibition of ELISA, rocket immunoelectrophoresis, double gel diffusion, and immunoblotting. The O-acetyl groups present in C. freundii O38 LPS are of little importance for its serological specificity. A cross-reaction was observed in immunoblotting between O-antisera to C. freundii O35 and S. arizonae O59 and a structurally related LPS of Pseudomonas aeruginosa O11a, 11b (Lányi-Bergan classification).

Antigens, Bacterial↗

Structure and serologic properties of O-specific polysaccharide from Citrobacter freundii possessing cross-reactivity with Escherichia coli O157:H7.

Citrobacter freundii OCU158 is a serologically cross-reactive strain with Escherichia coli O157:H7. To explore the close relationship between two strains, we have analyzed the chemical structures of O-specific polysaccharides and antigenic properties of lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) of both strains. The structure of O-specific polysaccharides from both strains was found to be identical by chemical and nuclear magnetic resonance analyses, in which D-PerNAc was 4-acetamido-4,6-dideoxy-D-mannose: [-->4)-beta-D-Glc-(1-->3)-alpha-D-PerNAc-(1-->4)-alpha-D-GalNAc-(1 --> 3)-alpha-L-Fuc-(1-->](n). The enzyme immunoassay using LPS derived either from E. coli O157 or from C. freundii could equally detect high levels of serum antibodies against LPS in patients with enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) O157 infection. Absorption of antibodies in EHEC patient serum by LPS from E. coli O157 or C. freundii, however, showed a difference in the epitopes. This difference was attributable to the epitope specificity of the core region and/or lipid A structure in LPS.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗

Growth temperature-dependent activity of glycerol dehydratase in Escherichia coli expressing the Citrobacter freundii dha regulon.

Using the cosmid pWE15, a genomic library of Citrobacter freundii DNA in Escherichia coli ECL707 was prepared and screened for glycerol utilization. Six out of approximately 3000 clones were positive. One clone, harboring the recombinant cosmid pRD1, expressed glycerol dehydratase in high activity when grown at 28 degrees C but not at 37 degrees C. The growth temperature had little effect on the activity of the other enzymes encoded by the dha regulon. When the glycerol-containing medium was supplemented with corrinoids, the recombinant E. coli strain produced 1,3-propanediol in high amounts at 28 degrees C.

Citrobacter freundii↗

Mutations in the gyrA and parC genes associated with fluoroquinolone resistance in clinical isolates of Citrobacter freundii.

We determined partial sequences of the gyrA and parC genes of Citrobacter freundii type strain, and then examined 38 C. freundii clinical strains isolated from patients with urinary tract infections for the association of alterations in GyrA and ParC with susceptibility to fluoroquinolones. Our results suggest that in C. freundii DNA gyrase may be a primary target of quinolones, that an amino acid change at Thr-83 or Asp-87 in GyrA is sufficient to decrease susceptibility to fluoroquinolones, and that accumulation of changes in GyrA with the simultaneous presence of an alteration at Ser-80 or Glu-84 in ParC may be associated with the development of high-level fluoroquinolone resistance in C. freundii clinical isolates.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Phosphatase activity and lead resistance in Citrobacter freundii and Staphylococcus aureus.

It has been previously reported that strains of Citrobacter freundii and of Staphylococcus aureus accumulated lead as Pb-phosphate when grown on media supplemented with high levels of lead salts. Phosphatase activity, which has been postulated to be involved in lead accumulation, was unrelated to lead resistance, resistant and sensitive cells displaying similar levels and patterns of enzyme activity.

Citrobacter freundii↗

Comparison of colonization dynamics and pathology of mice infected with enteropathogenic Escherichia coli, enterohaemorrhagic E. coli and Citrobacter rodentium.

Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC), enterohaemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) and Citrobacter rodentium (CR) colonize the gastrointestinal tract epithelium via attaching and effacing lesions. While humans are believed to be the only living reservoir of typical EPEC and EHEC to have border host specificity, CR is a restricted mouse pathogen. Recently, conflicting conclusions were reported concerning the utility of a murine model to study mechanisms of EPEC and EHEC colonization and infection. We therefore aimed to compare colonization dynamics of EPEC, EHEC and CR, together with a commensal E. coli (Nissle) as a control, in the murine. We show that all strains are equally shed in stools over the first 48 h post inoculation. However, while the CR population then rapidly expanded the EPEC, EHEC and Nissle populations quickly declined to a level just above detection. We conclude that following oral inoculation EPEC and EHEC develop a commensal, rather than pathogenic, interaction within the mouse host.

Adhesins, Bacterial↗

Hepatic and renal cytochrome p450 gene regulation during citrobacter rodentium infection in wild-type and toll-like receptor 4 mutant mice.

Citrobacter rodentium is the rodent equivalent of human enteropathogenic Escherichia coli infection. This study investigated regulation of hepatic and renal cytochrome P450 (P450) mRNAs, hepatic P450 proteins, cytokines, and acute phase proteins during C. rodentium infection. Female C3H/HeOuJ (HeOu) and C3H/HeJ (HeJ) mice [which lack functional toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)] were infected with C. rodentium by oral gavage and sacrificed 6 days later. Hepatic CYP4A10 and 4A14 mRNAs were decreased in HeOu mice (<4% of control). CYP3A11, 2C29, 4F14, and 4F15 mRNAs were reduced to 16 to 55% of control levels, whereas CYP2A5, 4F16, and 4F18 mRNAs were induced (180, 190, and 600% of control, respectively). The pattern of P450 regulation in HeJ mice was similar to that in HeOu mice for most P450s, with the exception of the TLR4 dependence of CYP4F15. Hepatic CYP2C, 3A, and 4A proteins in both groups were decreased, whereas CYP2E protein was not. Renal CYP4A10 and 4A14 mRNAs were significantly down-regulated in HeOu mice, whereas other P450s were unaffected. Most renal P450 mRNAs in infected HeJ mice were increased, notably CYP4A10, 4A14, 4F18, 2A5, and 3A13. Hepatic levels of interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) mRNAs were significantly increased in infected HeOu mice, whereas only TNFalpha mRNA was significantly increased in HeJ mice. Hepatic alpha1-acid glycoprotein was induced in both groups, whereas alpha-fibrinogen and angiotensinogen were unchanged. These data indicate that hepatic inflammation induced by C. rodentium infection is mainly TLR4-independent and suggest that hepatic P450 down-regulation in this model may be cytokine-mediated.

Animals↗

Uranium bioaccumulation by a Citrobacter sp. as a result of enzymically mediated growth of polycrystalline HUO2PO4.

A Citrobacter sp. accumulates heavy deposits of metal phosphate, derived from an enzymically liberated phosphate ligand. The cells are not subject to saturation constraints and can accumulate several times their own weight of precipitated metal. This high capacity is attributable to biomineralization; uranyl phosphate accumulates as polycrystalline HUO2PO4 at the cell surface. The precipitated metal is indistinguishable from crystalline HUO2PO4.4H2O grown by chemical methods.

Cell Membrane↗

Mechanism of synergistic action of a combination of ampicillin and dicloxacillin against a beta-lactamase-producing strain of Citrobacter freundii.

The mechanism of synergistic activity of a combination of ampicillin and dicloxacillin was studied on beta-lactamase-producing Citrobacter freundii GN346 and its derived beta-lactamaseless mutant GN346/16. The synergistic activity was exhibited against the parent strain but not against the mutant strain. Precultivation of the parent strain with the combination reduced the amount of the subsequent binding of [14C]penicillin G to the membrane fraction from the treated cells, but no reduction was observed in the case of cells treated with ampicillin or dicloxacillin alone. On the other hand, the amount of binding of [14C]penicillin G to the membrane fraction from the mutant strain was reduced by ampicillin treatment alone. These results clearly indicated that dicloxacillin inhibited the beta-lactamase activity produced by the parent strain, and, consequently, ampicillin can penetrate through the outer membrane and periplasmic beta-lactamase barrier into its target sites on the cytoplasmic membrane.

Ampicillin↗

Unusual mode of inhibition of Citrobacter freundii beta-lactamases by ceftriaxone.

Several Citrobacter freundii beta-lactamases, discernible by their substrate profiles and sensitivities to inhibition by newer cephalosporins, were inhibited by ceftriaxone in an unusual manner. Inhibition was noncompetitive at low concentrations of cephaloridine but became competitive at concentrations above 600 muM, which is close to the K(m) (570 muM) for cephaloridine.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Kinetic studies on inactivation of Citrobacter freundii cephalosporinase by sulbactam.

The inactivation kinetics for inhibition by sulbactam (CP45,899) of Citrobacter freundii GN346 cephalosporinase were studied in detail and compared with those of type Ib penicillinase or TEM-2 beta-lactamase mediated by R plasmid RGN823. The rate constant for progressive inactivation of the cephalosporinase was significantly larger than that measured with the penicillinase. The number of sulbactam molecules required to cause complete inactivation of one cephalosporinase molecule (turnover number) was 80. The turnover number for the penicillinase was 5,200. The powerful inhibition by sulbactam of this cephalosporinase is similar to clavulanic acid inhibition of the penicillinase (turnover number, 115; reported by others). The affinity of sulbactam for the cephalosporinase, expressed as Ki, was 500 microM; this value was much higher than that for the penicillinase, which was estimated to be 0.5 microM. These results indicated that sulbactam is an effective progressive inactivator but a poor competitive inhibitor for the cephalosporinase. Our study also revealed that the cephalosporinase and sulbactam formed a long-lived inhibitor-enzyme complex which we termed the pseudo-irreversible complex. The half-life of the complex was 550 min at pH 7.0 and 30 degrees C.

Binding, Competitive↗

Efficacy of BRL 25000 against Serratia marcescens, Enterobacter cloacae, and Citrobacter freundii in urinary tract infections.

Synergism between amoxicillin and clavulanic acid was not expected against cephalosporinase-producing bacterial strains because clavulanic acid has little inhibitory action on cephalosporinases. However, in a clinical trial of BRL 25000 (amoxicillin-clavulanic acid), excellent results were obtained in complicated urinary tract infections caused by Serratia marcescens, Enterobacter cloacae, and Citrobacter freundii strains which produced cephalosporinase and were highly resistant to amoxicillin alone. The good clinical efficacy of BRL 25000 in such urinary tract infections was probably due to the fact that the urinary concentration of clavulanic acid was higher than its minimal inhibitory concentrations for these strains.

Amoxicillin↗

Covalent binding of moxalactam to cephalosporinase of Citrobacter freundii.

The inhibition of Citrobacter freundii cephalosporinase activity by moxalactam is shown to be due to the formation of a transiently stable covalent complex, probably acyl enzyme. The covalent complex formed was identified by coelution of [14C] moxalactam with the enzyme by using Sephadex G-25 gel filtration in the presence of 5.7 M guanidine hydrochloride and by analytical isoelectric focusing. Both the side-chain carboxyl group and the 7 alpha-methoxy group of moxalactam were necessary to stabilize the complex. Moxalactam is racemic with respect to the alpha carbon of the 7 beta-acylamino side chain, and the complex with the R epimer (half-life, 4.6 min) decomposed much more rapidly than that formed with the S epimer (half-life, 130 min). For other beta-lactam antibiotics that were stable to beta-lactamase, the half-lives of enzyme-antibiotic complexes were less than 4 min.

Cephalosporinase↗