Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli and Disease
Nadia Boisen, James P. Nataro and Karen A. Krogfelt
from: Pathogenic Escherichia coli: Molecular and Cellular Microbiology (Edited by: Stefano Morabito). Caister Academic Press, U.K. (2014)
Abstract
Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC) are generally known as causing diarrhea, especially in developing countries and in travelers. Yet, recently it was shown that EAEC is also able to cause urinary tract infections. A recent European outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing EAEC drew the attention and increased the interest on this pathotype. Although the pathogenesis of EAEC is not fully understood, a number of putative virulence factors have been described. The characteristic Aggregative Adherence Fimbriae (AAF) are mucosal adhesins that also elicit inflammatory responses from infected surfaces. EAEC are seen to produce a number of virulence factors including serine protease autotransporter toxins that induce apoptosis of enterocytes. Epidemiologic evidence supports a model of EAEC pathogenesis comprising the concerted action of multiple virulence factors along with induction of inflamation read more ...
