The pap operon of avian pathogenic Escherichia coli strain O1:K1 is located on a novel pathogenicity island

We have identified a 56-kb pathogenicity island (PAI) in avian pathogenic Escherichia coli strain O1:K1 (APEC-O1). This PAI, termed PAI I(APEC-O1), is integrated adjacent to the 3' end of the pheV tRNA gene. It carries putative virulence genes of APEC (pap operon), other E. coli genes (tia and ireA), and a 1.5-kb region unique to APEC-O1. The kps gene cluster required for the biosynthesis of polysialic acid capsule was mapped to a location immediately downstream of this PAI.