Virulence factors of urinary pathogens

Harber, M. J.; Topley, Nicholas; Asscher, A. W.

doi:10.1042/cs0700531

Cited by 22 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 60 publications

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“…Phagocytosis of Ki strains increases after exposure to anti-Kl antibodies (9,196) or disruption of capsular polysaccharide by heating (575). The negative charge and the hydrophilicity of the Kl polysaccharide are intrinsically antiphagocytic (111,191,223). In addition, capsular polysaccharide blocks opsonization by interfering with complement deposition in a dose-dependent fashion (196,371).…”

Section: Mechanisms Of Virulencementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Because fimbriation, hemagglutination, and epithelial-cell adherence properties were absent from organisms collected directly from the urine of some infected patients (190), several investigators have concluded that fimbriation and adherence are not relevant in vivo phenomena (190,191,463). However, using more-sensitive methods and morecareful patient selection, others have found evidence of fimbriation and adherence in bacteria in a substantial proportion of urine specimens from infected patients (313,390,427) (181,198,338,469,470,472,509,512,518,527).…”

Section: Epidemiology and Animal Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Erythrocytes coated with capsular polysaccharides are poorly lysed by complement even in the presence of anticapsular antibody (151,196). Kl strains activate the alternative complement pathway poorly (433) unless rendered K1- (9,575 (191,300).…”

Section: Mechanisms Of Virulencementioning

confidence: 99%

“…More than 100,000 patients are hospitalized annually in the United States because of renal infection (231), with its attendant risk of gram-negative sepsis and death. In the past decade there has been a virtual explosion of information regarding the VFs of E. coli associated with UTI (111,191,411,516). This review summarizes the current state of knowledge regarding the genetics, mechanisms of action, and clinical significance of the VFs thought to be most important in E. coli UTI.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The practical goal of investigations into the virulence properties of any pathogen is the development of specific anti-VF interventions (such as vaccines) to prevent infection (191). Urinary tract infection (UTI) is the most common form of extraintestinal E. coli infection, and E. coli is the most common cause of UTI.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Virulence factors in Escherichia coli urinary tract infection

1991

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Uropathogenic strains of Escherichia coli are characterized by the expression of distinctive bacterial properties, products, or structures referred to as virulence factors because they help the organism overcome host defenses and colonize or invade the urinary tract. Virulence factors of recognized importance in the pathogenesis of urinary tract infection (UTI) include adhesins (P fimbriae, certain other mannose-resistant adhesins, and type 1 fimbriae), the aerobactin system, hemolysin, K capsule, and resistance to serum killing. This review summarizes the virtual explosion of information regarding the epidemiology, biochemistry, mechanisms of action, and genetic basis of these urovirulence factors that has occurred in the past decade and identifies areas in need of further study. Virulence factor expression is more common among certain genetically related groups of E. coli which constitute virulent clones within the larger E. coli population. In general, the more virulence factors a strain expresses, the more severe an infection it is able to cause. Certain virulence factors specifically favor the development of pyelonephritis, others favor cystitis, and others favor asymptomatic bacteriuria. The currently defined virulence factors clearly contribute to the virulence of wild-type strains but are usually insufficient in themselves to transform an avirulent organism into a pathogen, demonstrating that other as-yet-undefined virulence properties await discovery. Virulence factor testing is a useful epidemiological and research tool but as yet has no defined clinical role. Immunological and biochemical anti-virulence factor interventions are effective in animal models of UTI and hold promise for the prevention of UTI in humans.

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Section: Mechanisms Of Virulencementioning

confidence: 99%