The repeat-in-toxin family member TosA mediates adherence of uropathogenic Escherichia coli and survival during bacteremia.

ABSTRACT: Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) is responsible for the majority of uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTI) and represents the most common bacterial infection in adults. UPEC utilizes a wide range of virulence factors to colonize the host, including the novel repeat-in-toxin (RTX) protein TosA, which is specifically expressed in the host urinary tract and contributes significantly to the virulence and survival of UPEC. tosA, found in strains within the B2 phylogenetic subgroup of E. coli, serves as a marker for strains that also contain a large number of well-characterized UPEC virulence factors. The presence of tosA in an E. coli isolate predicts successful colonization of the murine model of ascending UTI, regardless of the source of the isolate. Here, a detailed analysis of th

SUBMITTER: Vigil PD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3264304 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature