title: Implication of virulence factors in Escherichia coil O157:H7 pathogenesis.
abstract: Since the first documented outbreak of hemorrhagic colitis caused by Escherichia coli O157:H7 in 1982, numerous publications have demonstrated or proposed putative components implicated in the pathogenesis of this gastrointestinal infection. Indeed, Escherichia coli O157:H7 pathogenesis is linked to several potential virulent factors such as verotoxins (or Shiga-like toxins), components implicated in attaching/effacing of microvilli, and the enterohemolysin phenotypes. Defining the precise molecular mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of E. coli O157:H7 implies detailed comprehension of the virulent factors that provoke a wide range of pathophysiological symptoms. The public health significance of this emerging world-wide menace has been demonstrated by clinical complications during treatment, its low infectious dose, and the severity of clinical manifestations. In this review I describe current knowledge of Escherichia coli O157:H7 pathogenesis with emphasis on known and potential virulent factors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. leblancjason@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Jason J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: LeBlanc
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D019453:Escherichia coli O157 / Q000235:genetics / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D014774:Virulence; D037521:Virulence Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins; D037521:Virulence Factors