Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 18, 2025

Characterization of a Pathogenic Escherichia coli Strain Derived from Oreochromis spp. Farms Using Whole-Genome Sequencing
Published on: December 23, 2022
Virulence Factors of Enteric Pathogenic Escherichia coli: A Review
Babak Pakbin1,2,3, Wolfram M Brück1, John W A Rossen2
1Institute for Life Technologies, University of Applied Sciences Western Switzerland Valais-Wallis, 1950 Sion 2, Switzerland.
Abstract:
Escherichia coli are remarkably versatile microorganisms and important members of the normal intestinal microbiota of humans and animals. This harmless commensal organism can acquire a mixture of comprehensive mobile genetic elements that contain genes encoding virulence factors, becoming an emerging human pathogen capable of causing a broad spectrum of intestinal and extraintestinal diseases. Nine definite enteric E. coli pathotypes have been well characterized, causing diseases ranging from various gastrointestinal disorders to urinary tract infections. These pathotypes employ many virulence factors and effectors subverting the functions of host cells to mediate their virulence and pathogenesis. This review summarizes new developments in our understanding of diverse virulence factors associated with encoding genes used by different pathotypes of enteric pathogenic E. coli to cause intestinal and extraintestinal diseases in humans.
Related Concept Videos
Viral Replication: Lytic Cycle
Stringent Response in E. coli
Gene Regulation in Microbial Communities: Quorum Sensing
Lysogenic Cycle of Bacteriophages
Fimbriae, Pili, and Axial Filaments

