Cited by 176Escherichia coli research studiesGut microbiota and healthEnterobacteriaceae and Cronobacter Research

Escherichia coli in Infants' Intestinal Microflora: Colonization Rate, Strain Turnover, and Virulence Gene Carriage

Nowrouzian, Forough, Hesselmar, Bill, Saalman, Robert, Strannegård, Inga-Lisa, Åberg, Nils, Wold, Agnes E, Adlerberth, Ingegerd·2003·Pediatric Research

Abstract

Colonization by Escherichia. coli in infants might have decreased in the last decades, owing to changes in hospital routines and family lifestyle. In this study, the E. coli flora was characterized in 70 healthy Swedish infants followed for the first year of life. E. coli was isolated from rectal swabs obtained at 3 d of age and quantified in fecal samples collected at 1, 2, 4, and 8 wk of age and at 6 and 12 mo of age. Strains were typed using random amplified polymorphic DNA, and their virulence factor genes were identified by multiplex PCR. Colonization by E. coli occurred late; only 61% of the infants were positive by 2 mo of age. The turnover of individual strains in the microflora was slow (1.5 strains per infant during 6 mo, 2.1 during 1 y). Environmental factors, such as siblings, pets, or feeding mode, did not influence colonization kinetics or strain turnover rate. Genes encoding type 1 fimbriae, P fimbriae, and hemolysin were significantly more common in E. coli strains persisting for at least 3 wk in the microflora than in transient strains. The P-fimbrial class III adhesin gene was more common in E. coli from children who had a cat in their homes than in E. coli from children without pets (p = 0.01); this adhesin type is common in E. coli from cats. The late colonization and low E. coli strain turnover rate suggest limited exposure of Swedish infants to E. coli. Our results confirm that P fimbriae and other virulence factors facilitate persistence of E. coli in the human colonic microflora.

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Crossref · 10.1203/01.pdr.0000069843.20655.ee

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Authors
Nowrouzian, F., Hesselmar, B., Saalman, R., Strannegård, I.-L., Åberg, N., Wold, A. E., & Adlerberth, I.
Affiliations
Sahlgrenska University Hospital (SE)
Corresponding author
Nowrouzian, Forough
Venue
Pediatric Research
Published
2003-07
Volume
54
Issue
1
Pages
8-14
ISSN
  • 0031-3998 (ISSN-L)
  • 1530-0447
OpenAlex
W1977963936
Cited by
176
References
59
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 9 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 8 · 2015: 11 · 2014: 12 · 2013: 10 · 2012: 11
FWCI
2.88
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Pediatric Research (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • Vårdalstiftelsen
  • European Commission
  • Ellen, Walter and Lennart Hesselman Foundation for Scientific Research
  • Medical Research Council
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Endocrinology › Escherichia coli research studies
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Gut microbiota and health
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Endocrinology › Enterobacteriaceae and Cronobacter Research
Keywords
Escherichia coli, colonization rates, virulence genes, P fimbriae, type 1 fimbriae, hemolysin, fimbrial adhesins, cat exposure, feeding mode, fecal microbiota
MeSH terms
Animals, Animals, Domestic, Colon, DNA, Bacterial, Escherichia coli, Escherichia coli Infections, Family Characteristics, Female, Humans, Infant, Infant Food, Life Style, Male, Sweden, Virulence, Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA Technique

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