VIRULENCE OF UROPATHOGENIC ESCHERICHIA COLI

Uropathogenic Escherichia coli\t (UPEC) are the most important group of\nmicroorganisms responsible for urinary tract infection. UPEC differ\nfrom non-pathogenic E. coli and from other E. coli pathotypes by the\nproduction of specific virulence factors, which enable the bacteria to\nadhere to uroepithelial cells and to establish urinary tract\ninfections. Besides adherence factors, toxins, “modulins”,\ncapsules, iron uptake systems and other bacterial products contribute\nto the virulence of the strains. Urinary tract infection is the most\nfrequently diagnosed kidney and urologic disease and E. coli is by far\nthe most common etiologic agent. Uropathogenic strains have been shown\nto contain blocks of DNA termed pathogenicity islands (PAIs) which\ncontribute to their virulence.