Skip to main content
ARS Home » Northeast Area » Wyndmoor, Pennsylvania » Eastern Regional Research Center » Characterization and Interventions for Foodborne Pathogens » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #330017
Research Project: Molecular Characterization of Foodborne Pathogen Responses to Stress

Location: Characterization and Interventions for Foodborne Pathogens

Title: Complete genome sequences of Escherichia coli O157:H7 strains SRCC 1675 and 28RC that vary in acid resistance

Author
item BARANZONI, GIAN MARCO - Oak Ridge Institute For Science And Education (ORISE)
item Fratamico, Pina
item Reichenberger, Erin
item KIM, GWANG HEE - Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS, USDA)
item Breidt, Frederick
item KAY, KATHRYN - North Carolina State University
item OH, DEOG HWAN - Kangwon National University

Submitted to: Genome Announcements
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/14/2016
Publication Date: 7/28/2016
Publication URL: http://handle.nal.usda.gov/10113/6471004
Citation: Baranzoni, G., Fratamico, P.M., Reichenberger, E.R., Kim, G., Breidt, F., Kay, K., Oh, D. 2016. Complete genome sequences of Escherichia coli O157:H7 strains SRCC 1675 and 28RC that vary in acid resistance. Genome Announcements. 4:4. doi: 10.1128/genomeA.00743-16.

Interpretive Summary: Escherichia coli (E. coli) strains are generally non-harmful bacteria that live in the intestinal tract of mammals, and they can be found in food and the environment. Some, E. coli strains, however, may cause human disease ranging from mild diarrhea to systemic illnesses. An E. coli strain known as serotype O157:H7 is considered very dangerous because it is frequently associated with severe illness and death, and it is characterized by a low infectious dose since it can resist acidic environments that occur in the gastrointestinal tract. It can also survive in acidic foods. The ability to survive in acidic environments is mediated by numerous mechanisms that can vary among E. coli strains belonging to the same serotype. In this work, the complete genome sequences of two strains of Escherichia coli O157:H7 with different levels of acid resistance are presented. This information will help in understanding the mechanisms used by this bacterium to tolerate acid environments, and if strains that can resist acidic environments can potentially cause more severe disease. Using this knowledge, improved strategies to control E. coli O157:H7 can be designed and implemented.

Technical Abstract: The level of acid resistance among Escherichia coli O157:H7 strains varies, and strains with higher resistance to acid may have a lower infectious dose. The complete genome sequences belonging to two strains of Escherichia coli O157:H7 with different levels of acid resistance are presented.