Ferric Citrate Uptake Is a Virulence Factor in Uropathogenic Escherichia coli
Arwen E. Frick-Cheng, Anna Sintsova, Sara N. Smith, Ali Pirani, Evan S. Snitkin, Harry L. T. Mobley
Abstract
UPEC, the primary causative agent of uncomplicated UTI, is responsible for five billion dollars in health care costs in the United States each year. Rates of antibiotic resistance are on the rise; therefore, it is vital to understand the mechanisms of UPEC pathogenesis to uncover potential targets for novel therapeutics. Iron acquisition systems used to obtain iron from sequestered host sources are essential for UPEC survival during UTI and have been used as vaccine targets to prevent infection. This study reveals the ferric citrate uptake system is another important iron acquisition system that is highly enriched in UPEC strains. Ferric citrate uptake has not previously been associated with UPEC isolates, underlining the importance of the continued study of these strains to fully understand their mechanisms of pathogenesis.