Diversification of colonization factors in a multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli lineage evolving under negative frequency-dependent selection

Alan McNally, Teemu Kallonen, Christopher Connor, Khalil Abudahab, David M Aanensen, Carolyne Horner, Sharon J Peacock, Julian Parkhill, Nicholas J Croucher, Jukka Corander

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

29 Citations (Scopus)
197 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Escherichia coli is a major cause of bloodstream and urinary tract infections globally. The wide dissemination of multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains of extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC) poses a rapidly increasing public health burden due to narrowed treatment options and increased risk of failure to clear an infection. Here, we present a detailed population genomic analysis of the ExPEC ST131 clone, in which we seek explanations for its success as an emerging pathogenic strain beyond the acquisition of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes. We show evidence for evolution toward separate ecological niches for the main clades of ST131 and differential evolution of anaerobic metabolism, key colonization, and virulence factors. We further demonstrate that negative frequency-dependent selection acting across accessory loci is a major mechanism that has shaped the population evolution of this pathogen

Original languageEnglish
Article number e00644-19
Number of pages19
JournalmBio
Volume10
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 23 Apr 2019

Keywords

  • AMR
  • Escherichia coli
  • Evolutionary genomics
  • Negative frequencydependent selection

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Microbiology
  • Virology

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