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Escherichia coli O157:H7 is an important zoonotic pathogen, causing hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). The colonization of cattle and human hosts is mediated through the action of effectors secreted via a type III secretion system (T3SS). The structural genes for the T3SS and many of the secreted effectors are located on a pathogenicity island called the locus of enterocyte effacement (LEE). We cloned and expressed the genes coding for 66 effectors and purified each to measure the cross-reactivity of type III secreted proteins from Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) serotypes. These included 37 LEE-encoded proteins and 29 non-LEE effectors. The serological response against each protein was measured by Western blot analysis and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using sera from rabbits immunized with type III secreted proteins (T3SPs) from four STEC serotypes, experimentally infected cattle, and human sera from six HUS patients. Twenty proteins were recognized by at least one of the STEC T3SP-vaccinated rabbits by Western blotting. Several structural proteins (EspA, EspB, and EspD) and a number of effectors (Tir, NleA, and TccP) were recognized by O26-, O103-, O111-, and O157-specific sera. Sera from experimentally infected cattle and HUS patients were tested using an ELISA against each of the proteins. Tir, EspB, EspD, EspA, and NleA were recognized by the majority of the samples tested. A number of other proteins also were recognized by individual serum samples. Overall, proteins such as Tir, EspB, EspD, NleA, and EspA were highly immunogenic in vaccinated and naturally infected subjects and could be candidates for a cross-protective STEC vaccine.

Escherichia coli O157:H7 remains a threat to humans via cattle-derived fecal contamination of food and water. Preharvest intervention strategies represent a means of reducing the pathogen burden before harvest. In this study, the efficacy of a commercially produced type III secreted protein (TTSP) vaccine was evaluated with the use of a commingled experimental calf infection model (30 placebo-treated animals and 30 vaccinates). The calves were vaccinated on days 0, 21, and 42 and infected with 10(9) colony-forming units (CFU) of E. coli O157 by oral-gastric intubation on day 56. Fecal shedding was monitored daily for 14 d. Serologic assessment revealed a robust immune response to vaccination; the serum titers of antibodies against EspA, Tir, and total TTSPs were significantly higher in the vaccinates than in the placebo-treated animals on days 21, 42, 56, and 70. Significantly less (P = 0.011) of the challenge organism was shed by the vaccinates than by the placebo-treated animals on days 3 to 10. Peak shedding occurred in both groups on days 3 to 6; during this period the vaccinates showed a mean log reduction of 1.4 (P = 0.002) and a mitigated fraction of 51%. The number of animals shedding was significantly lower among the vaccinates compared with the placebo group on days 3 to 6 (P ≤ 0.05), with a mean prevented fraction of 21%. No differences in the duration of shedding were observed. Owing to the low challenge shedding in both groups on days 11 to 14 (mean CFU/g < 10; median = 0), no significant differences were observed. These data indicate that TTSP vaccination had protective effects through significant reductions in the number of animals shedding and the number of challenge organisms shed per animal and provides evidence that TTSP vaccination is an effective preharvest intervention strategy against E. coli O157.

Shiga toxin producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O26:H11 is an enteric pathogen capable of causing severe hemorrhagic colitis that can lead to hemolytic uremic syndrome. This organism is able to colonize cattle and human intestinal epithelial cells by secreting effectors via a type III secretion system (T3SS). In this investigation, we examined the role of 2 effectors, Tir and NleB, and the structural translocator component EspA in the adherence of STEC to epithelial cells and in the colonization of cattle. Isogenic deletion mutants were constructed and using microscopy and flow cytometry compared to the wild-type strain in their ability to adhere to HEp-2 cells. A competitive assay was also used to measure the capacity of the mutants to colonize the intestinal tract of cattle, where both the mutant and the parental strains were introduced orally at the same time. Genomic DNA was extracted from enriched fecal samples collected at various time points, and quantitative real-time PCR was used to quantify bacteria. A significant reduction in fecal shedding was observed, and adherence to HEp-2 cells was decreased for the tir and espA mutants. Deletion of the nleB gene did not have a significant effect on the adherence of HEp-2 cells; however, in an in vivo model, it strongly reduced the ability of STEC O26:H11 to colonize the bovine intestinal tract.

Type III secreted proteins from Escherichia coli O157:H7 are involved in the attachment of the organism to mammalian cells and have been shown to be effective vaccine components capable of reducing colonization of cattle by the organism. In the current study, we used a streptomycin-treated mouse model to evaluate the efficacy of subcutaneous vs intranasal administration of the vaccine. Following immunization, mice were infected with E. coli O157:H7 and feces were monitored for shedding. Immune responses against EspA and Tir were also monitored. Subcutaneous immunization of mice with type III secreted proteins induced significant EspA- and Tir-specific serum IgG antibodies but did not significantly induce any antigen-specific IgA in feces, whereas intranasal immunization elicited significant EspA- and Tir-specific serum IgG antibodies with some animals developing antigen-specific IgA in feces. Only mice that were immunized intranasally with formulations containing mucosal adjuvants, either cholera toxin or CpG-containing oligonucleotides, showed decreased E. coli O157:H7 shedding following experimental infection. Mice immunized subcutaneously with type III secreted proteins did not shed E. coli in feces. These results demonstrate the potential for the use of type III secreted proteins in mucosal vaccine formulations to prevent colonization and shedding of E. coli O157:H7.

Escherichia coli O157:H7 is an important food- and water-borne pathogen of humans, causing Hemorrhagic Colitis and Haemolytic Uremic Syndrome. Colonization of both cattle and human hosts is mediated through the action of effector molecules secreted via a Type III secretion system, a mechanism shared by other enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC). We recently reported that vaccination of cattle with Type III-secreted proteins (TTSPs) resulted in decreased shedding of the organism following both experimental infection as well as under conditions of natural exposure. In order to extend this to non-O157 EHEC serotypes, we examined the serological cross reactivity of TTSPs of serotypes O26:H11, O103:H2, O111:NM and O157:H7. Western blotting experiments with polyclonal antisera directed against serotype O157:H7 TTSPs suggested that there was significant cross reactivity, although there was limited cross reactivity when two Tir- and EspA-specific monoclonal antibodies were used. Groups of cattle were then vaccinated with TTSPs produced from each of the above serotypes and the magnitude and specificity of the responses were measured. All animals responded well with antibodies to TTSPs of the homologous serotype. However, limited cross reactivity was observed against the others. No cross reactivity was observed against Tir and EspA of serotype O157:H7. These results suggest that vaccination of cattle with TTSPs as a means of reducing the risk of EHEC transmission to humans will induce protection that is serotype specific.