Virulence factors of septicemic Escherichia coli strains.
Extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli strains (ExPEC) are the cause of a diverse spectrum of invasive human and animal infections, often leading to septicemia. This review deals with the virulence genes of septicemic ExPEC strains. We discuss the meaning of a virulence gene and survey the genomic, genetic and physiological studies on these strains. Apparently, there are a few virulence factors, which are conserved in the septicemic strains, implying that they are essential for the infection. For the other virulence-related genes a high level of diversity is observed, demonstrating that all stages of the infection can be mediated by a number of alternative virulence factors. The variable profile of virulence genes in septicemic E. coli strains, as well as a prevalence of mobility-related sequences point out the existence of a "mix and match" combinatorial system.
Mokady
Daphna
D
Department of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv 69978, Israel.
Gophna
Uri
U
Ron
Eliora Z
EZ
D018830:Adhesins, Escherichia coli / Q000235:genetics*; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000145:classification / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000382:microbiology*; D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D036781:Fimbriae Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D016680:Genome, Bacterial; D006801:Humans; D010957:Plasmids / Q000235:genetics; D014774:Virulence / Q000235:genetics*; D037521:Virulence Factors / Q000235:genetics
D018830:Adhesins, Escherichia coli; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins; D037521:Virulence Factors; D036781:Fimbriae Proteins