Identification of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O26:H- genes required for intestinal colonization in calves.

ABSTRACT: Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) infections in humans are an important public health problem and are commonly acquired via contact with ruminant feces. The serogroups that are predominantly associated with human infection in the United States and Europe are O157 and O26. Serotypes O157:H7 and O26:H- differ in their virulence and tissue tropism in calves and therefore may colonize calves by distinct mechanisms. The mechanisms underlying EHEC intestinal colonization and pathogenesis are poorly understood. Signature-tagged mutagenesis was used to identify 59 genes of EHEC O26:H- that are required for the intestinal colonization of calves. Our results indicate important roles for locus of enterocyte effacement (LEE)-encoded type III secreted proteins in intestinal colonization. In add

SUBMITTER: van Diemen PM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1064914 | biostudies-literature | 2005 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature