Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli, a heterogenous, underestimated and under-diagnosed E. coli pathotype in Iran.
The main features of enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC) pathogenesis include attachment of bacteria to the intestinal mucosa, production of various toxins and cytotoxins, and stimulation of mucosal inflammation. 'Virulence' genes encode these features. Comparison of different EAEC isolates has shown that the virulence gene content of these isolates varies considerably. The heterogeneity of EAEC strains was concluded from the results obtained from the volunteer as well as other studies. Although the underlying mechanism behind the apparent increase in O104:H4 virulence is not known, several bacterial factors have been implicated. In this review, the known virulence factors involved in pathogenesis of EAEC pathotype are summarized.
Molecular Biology Unit, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran ; Escherichia coli Reference Laboratory, Molecular Biology Unit, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.
Anis
A
Jafari
Bacteriology Department, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.
Mohammad Mehdi
MM
Aslani
Molecular Biology Unit, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran ; Escherichia coli Reference Laboratory, Molecular Biology Unit, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.
Saeid
S
Bouzari
E. coli pathotype; Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli; Escherichia coli; Heterogeneity