Importance of the epa locus of enterococcus faecalis OGlRF in a mouse model of ascending urinary tract infection

Abstract

Previously, TX5179, a disruption mutant of the enterococcal polysaccharide antigen (epa) gene cluster of Enterococcusfaecalis strain OGlRF was shown to be attenuated in translocation, biofilm, mouse peritonitis and was more susceptible to polymorphonuclear leukocyte phagocytic killing. Here, wild-type E. faecalis OGlRF and TX5179 strains were tested in a mixed-infection (inoculum, -1:1) mouse urinary tract infection model. Wild-type OGlRF outnumbered TX5179 in the kidneys (P < .001) and bladder (P < .001). In conclusion, the epa locus of E. faecalis OGlRF contributes to murine urinary tract infection and is the first such enterococcal polysaccharide locus shown to be important in this site. © 2009 by the Infectious Diseases Society of America. All rights reserved.