Distribution of virulence-associated gene profiles, phylogeny, serotyping and MLST results among all 32 strains.

<p>Phylo, phylogroup; ST, sequence type; Cplx, clonal complex. Adhesins <i>fimH</i> (D-mannose-specific adhesin of type I fimbriae), <i>fimAvMT78</i> (FimA variant MT78 of type 1 fimbriae), <i>papEF</i> and <i>papG</i> (P fimbria subunits), and <i>sfa/focDE</i> (S fimbrial adhesin/putative F1C fimbrial adhesin); toxins <i>cdtB</i> (cytolethal distending toxin), <i>hlyF</i> (hemolysin F), and <i>astA</i> (EAST1, enteroaggregative E. coli heat-stable toxin); siderophores fyuA (yersiniabactin), <i>iutA</i> (aerobactin), <i>iroN</i> (novel catecholate siderophore receptor), and <i>irp-2</i> (iron repressible associated with yersiniabactin synthesis); protectins <i>kpsM</i> (groups II and III, specifically targeting the K1, K2 and K5 genes of group II capsules), <i>cvaC</i> (ColV, colicin V from serum resistance-associated plasmids), <i>iss</i> (surface exclusion serum survival protein), and <i>traT</i> (serum resistance); miscellaneous virulence genes <i>ompT</i> (protease), <i>ibeA</i> (invasion of brain endothelium), <i>malX</i> (PAI, pathogenicity island marker), and <i>usp</i> (uropathogenic-specific protein, bacteriocin).</p><p>^a Virulence-associated genes shown in boldface are the five genes characteristics of APEC strains.</p><p>Distribution of virulence-associated gene profiles, phylogeny, serotyping and MLST results among all 32 strains.