title: [Virulence factors associated with E. coli neonatal meningitis].
abstract: Escherichia coli K1 is the leading cause of gram-negative bacterial meningitis in neonates. It is associated with a mortality rate as high as 40%, and more than half of the survivors have neurologic sequelae. Bacterial meningitis is the result of bacterial translocation from gastrointestinal tract to the blood and from blood to the central nervous system. Successful crossing of the BBB by E. coli K1 requires (a) a high degree of bacteremia and (b) several E. coli determinants contributing to invasion of BMEC such as the K1 capsule, Sfa, Ibe proteins, and CNF1. A better understanding for the molecular basis of E. coli K1 penetration of the BBB could potentially lead to the development of novel therapeutic and preventative strategies for E. coli K1 meningitis.
authors.affiliation: Service de microbiologie, hôpital Robert-Debré, 48, boulevard Sérurier, 75019 Paris, France.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bonacorsi
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Houdoin
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bingen
mesh_terms: D001812:Blood-Brain Barrier; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007232:Infant, Newborn, Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology; D020814:Meningitis, Escherichia coli / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors; D014774:Virulence