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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Wyndmoor, Pennsylvania » Eastern Regional Research Center » Characterization and Interventions for Foodborne Pathogens » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #325119
Title: Comparison of O-antigen gene clusters of all O-serogroups of Escherichia coli and proposal for adopting a new nomenclature for O-typing

Author
item Needleman, David
item DEBROY, CHITRITA - Pennsylvania State University
item Fratamico, Pina
item Yan, Xianghe
item BARANZONI, GIANMARCO - Orise Fellow
item Liu, Yanhong
item TEBBS, ROBERT - Thermo Fisher Scientific
item O'CONNELL, CATHERINE - Thermo Fisher Scientific
item ALLRED, ADAM - Thermo Fisher Scientific
item SWIMLEY, MICHELLE - Thermo Fisher Scientific
item MWANGI, MICHAEL - Thermo Fisher Scientific
item KAPUR, VIVEK - Pennsylvania State University
item GARAY, JUAN - Pennsylvania State University
item ROBERTS, ELISABETH - Pennsylvania State University
item KATANI, ROBAB - Pennsylvania State University

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/30/2016
Publication Date: 2/20/2016
Citation: Needleman, D.S., Debroy, C., Fratamico, P.M., Yan, X., Baranzoni, G., Liu, Y., Tebbs, R., O'Connell, C.D., Allred, A., Swimley, M., Mwangi, M., Kapur, V., Garay, J., Roberts, E.L., Katani, R. 2016. Comparison of O-antigen gene clusters of all O-serogroups of Escherichia coli and proposal for adopting a new nomenclature for O-typing. Meeting Abstract. [abstract] Association of Biomolecular Resources Facilities Meeting.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The Genetics Analysis Core Facility at the Eastern Regional Research Center (ERRC) is a centralized laboratory working in support of the United States Department of Agriculture scientists within the ERRC. The application of molecular diagnostics within the Center has resulted in the morphing of the Genetics Analysis Core from primarily a sequence laboratory to providing bioinformatics support for the Center scientists. One major project involved the application of molecular diagnostic tools to supplement the classification of Escherichia coli strains that are currently designated as specific O-groups using the antigenic specificity of the O antigens. In this study we sequenced and assembled the nucleotide sequences of 71 O-antigen gene clusters (O-AGC) from reference strains and compared these sequences to published sequences of 196 O- and OX-groups. The results showed that some O-groups vary by only a few nucleotides and the similar O-groups may or may not cross-react by conventional serotyping using antisera. We anticipate that this study, in conjunction with similar studies, will eventually result in the potential elimination or consolidation of these highly conserved O-groups. Additionally, these data should help in the understanding of the role of the O-antigen as a determinant in the immune system and provide information to develop rapid diagnostic tools for the identification of E. coli O-groups.