O-Specific Polysaccharides (O-Antigens) of a New Species of Enteric Bacteria Escherichia albertii Closely Related to Escherichia coli

Abstract

The data on the structure of O-specific polysaccharides (O-antigens) of all nine known molecular types (potential O-serotypes) of a new type of enterobacteria Escherichia albertii, causative agents of intestinal infections in humans and birds, are presented. The advantages and limitations of structural analysis methods used to determine the structure of E. albertii polysaccharides are discussed. The annotation of genes in gene clusters of biosynthesis of O-antigens of E. albertii was carried out by comparison with the sequences in the available databases. Structural and genetic relationships between O-antigens of E. albertii and closely related species of E. coli are discussed. It was found that, in addition to the O-antigen, E. albertii O9 expresses a mannan of the same structure as the mannan of E. coli O8.