title: Pathogenic Escherichia coli.
abstract: Few microorganisms are as versatile as Escherichia coli. An important member of the normal intestinal microflora of humans and other mammals, E. coli has also been widely exploited as a cloning host in recombinant DNA technology. But E. coli is more than just a laboratory workhorse or harmless intestinal inhabitant; it can also be a highly versatile, and frequently deadly, pathogen. Several different E. coli strains cause diverse intestinal and extraintestinal diseases by means of virulence factors that affect a wide range of cellular processes.
authors.affiliation: Center for Vaccine Development, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, USA. jkaper@umaryland.edu
authors.forename: James B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Kaper
authors.forename: James P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Nataro
authors.forename: Harry L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Mobley
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001422:Bacterial Adhesion; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000209:etiology; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000235:genetics / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D015964:Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial; D006801:Humans; D016920:Meningitis, Bacterial / Q000209:etiology; D022603:Shiga Toxins / Q000633:toxicity; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000209:etiology; D037521:Virulence Factors
chemical_list: D022603:Shiga Toxins; D037521:Virulence Factors