Distribution of the serine protease autotransporters of the Enterobacteriaceae among extraintestinal clinical isolates of Escherichia coli.

ABSTRACT: Urinary tract infections continue to be among the most common extraintestinal diseases. Cystitis in women is by far the most common urinary tract infection; pyelonephritis in both sexes and prostatitis in men are more severe but less frequent complaints. Escherichia coli is by far the most common cause of urinary tract infection. It is believed that uropathogenic E. coli is adept at colonizing the urinary tract via the production of specific virulence factors. Recently, a novel virulence determinant, Vat, was described for the prototypical uropathogenic E. coli strain CFT073. Vat is a member of the SPATE (serine protease autotransporters of the Enterobacteriaceae) subfamily of the autotransporters. Previously, SPATEs have been described for all pathovars of E. coli, but until recently thei

SUBMITTER: Parham NJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1233896 | biostudies-literature | 2005 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature