Importance of the epa Locus of Enterococcus faecalis OG1RF in a Mouse Model of Ascending Urinary Tract Infection

Previously, TX5179, a disruption mutant of the enterococcal polysaccharide antigen (epa) gene cluster of Enterococcus faecalis strain OG1RF was shown to be attenuated in translocation, biofilm, mouse peritonitis and was more susceptible to polymorphonuclear leukocyte phagocytic killing. Here, wild-type E. faecalis OG1RF and TX5179 strains were tested in a mixed-infection (inoculum, similar to 1:1) mouse urinary tract infection model. Wild-type OG1RF outnumbered TX5179 in the kidneys (P <.001) and bladder (P <.001). In conclusion, the epa locus of E. faecalis OG1RF contributes to murine urinary tract infection and is the first such enterococcal polysaccharide locus shown to be important in this site.