The versatile strategies of Escherichia coli pathotypes: a mini review

• Published in: Journal of Venomous Animals and Toxins including Tropical Diseases
• Main Author: C. P. Sousa
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: SciELO 2006
• Subjects: pathogenicity; virulence; Escherichia coli pathotypes; versatile strategies; diarrheagenic E. coli categories; public health; Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine; RC955-962; Toxicology. Poisons; RA1190-1270; Zoology; QL1-991; Arctic
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1590/S1678-91992006000300002; https://doaj.org/article/0e44e12e2326462b8ed23a51f1309532

The widespread species Escherichia coli includes a broad variety of different types, ranging from highly pathogenic strains to avirulent isolates. Few microorganisms are as versatile as E. coli. Pathogenic strains remain a leading cause of severe and persistent infant diarrhea in developing countries. They may be limited to colonization of a mucosal surface or can disseminate throughout the body and have been implicated in urinary tract infection, sepsis/meningitis and gastrointestinal infection. The human gastrointestinal tract is susceptible to diarrheagenic E. coli infections. Escherichia coli have effectively managed to subvert the host cytoskeleton for their own purposes causing substantial diarrheal disease, a major public health problem worldwide. This review deals with the different strategies regarding E. coli as a pathogen and the virulence traits of its pathotypes highlighting the species as a commensal, opportunistic and specialized pathogen.