Implication of Virulence Factors in Escherichia coli O157:H7 Pathogenesis

Probiotics Reduce Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7- and Enteropathogenic E. coli O127:H6-Induced Changes in Polarized T84 Epithelial Cell Monolayers by Reducing Bacterial Adhesion and Cytoskeletal Rearrangements

“…Escherichia coli serotype O157:H7 causes acute diarrhea, hemorrhagic colitis, and hemolytic uremic syndrome (18). The organism is the most common serotype identified in the group of enteric pathogens variously referred to as enterohemorrhagic E. coli, verotoxin-producing E. coli, and Shiga-like toxinproducing E. coli (15).…”

Genetic Features Differentiating Bovine, Food, and Human Isolates of Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli O157 in The Netherlands

“…STEC O157 has several virulence genes that play a crucial role in the development of clinical symptoms. These include the Shiga toxin genes 1 and 2 (stx 1 and stx 2 ), several genes located on the chromosomal locus of enterocyte effacement (LEE), which codes for a specialized epithelium attachment system responsible for the characteristic attaching and effacing (A/E) phenotype, and (putative) virulence factors encoded on various genomic pathogenicity islands (20,25).…”

“…STEC O157 has several virulence genes that play a crucial role in the development of clinical symptoms. These include the Shiga toxin genes 1 and 2 (stx 1 and stx 2 ), several genes located on the chromosomal locus of enterocyte effacement (LEE), which codes for a specialized epithelium attachment system responsible for the characteristic attaching and effacing (A/E) phenotype, and (putative) virulence factors encoded on various genomic pathogenicity islands (20,25).In The Netherlands, the prevalences of STEC O157 at the herd level are on average 8% for dairy herds and 13% for veal herds (2), with seasonal peaks from 30% to 70% during the summer months (12,19). The notification rates of STEC O157 disease cases in The Netherlands (including outbreaks) for 2007, 2008, and 2009 were 0.50, 0.27, and 0.34 cases per 100,000 inhabitants per year, respectively (14).…”

Induction of a Humoral Immune Response following anEscherichia coliO157:H7 Infection with an Immunomodulatory Peptidic Fraction Derived fromLactobacillus helveticus-Fermented Milk

“…Although various pathogenic serotypes exist (43), E. coli O157:H7 has been the most frequently isolated in North America (50). Pathogenesis of E. coli O157:H7 is linked to numerous virulent factors (24), leading to pathological conditions such as hemorrhagic colitis, hemolytic uremic syndrome, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, acute renal failure, and even death (6). E. coli O157:H7 is considered a worldwide threat not only because of its increasing incidence and low infectious dose, but also due to the severity of clinical presentation and complications during treatment, particularly with the controversial role of antibiotics (12).…”