High Prevalence and Persistence of Escherichia coli Strains Producing Shiga Toxin Subtype 2k in Goat Herds
Xi Yang, Qian Liu, Xiangning Bai, Bin Hu, Deshui Jiang, Hongbo Jiao, Liangmei Lu, Ruyue Fan, Peibin Hou, Andreas Matussek, Yanwen Xiong
Abstract
Strains of the recently reported Stx2k-STEC have been circulating in a variety of sources over time in China. Here, we show a high prevalence of Stx2k-STEC in goat herds. More than half of the strains were of the hybrid STEC/ETEC pathotype. Stx2k-STEC strains of predominant serotypes have been widespread in the goat herds over several years. Stx2k-converting prophages have exhibited a high level of similarity across geographical regions and time and might be maintained and transmitted horizontally. Given that goat-derived Stx2k-STEC strains share similar genetic backbones with patient-derived strains, the high prevalence of Stx2k-STEC in goats suggests that there is a risk of cross-species spread and that these strains may pose pathogenetic potential to humans. Our study thus highlights the need to monitor human Stx2k-STEC infections in this region and, by extension, in other geographic locations.