Virulence of Escherichia coli B2 Isolates from Meat and Animals in a Murine Model of Ascending Urinary Tract Infection (UTI): Evidence that UTI Is a Zoonosis

摘要

In vivo evidence of a connection between urinary tract infections (UTI) and foods is lacking. The virulence of 13 Escherichia coli B2 isolates from healthy animals and fresh meat was investigated in a murine model of ascending UTI. All isolates produced positive bladder cultures (10² to 10⁷ CFU), and nine isolates produced positive kidney cultures (10² to 10⁵ CFU).