Uropathogenic Escherichia coli and the related virulence factors

B.S. Pour Noghlbari, M. Mozaffari

Rezumat: Uropathogenic strains of Escherichia coli (UPEC) are the most common cause of non-hospital-acquired urinary tract infections (UTIs). The most common UTIs occur mainly in women and affect the bladder and urethra, leading to infections of the bladder (cystitis). Uropathogenic Escherichia coli have genes and virulence factors in association with adhesion, biofilm formation and colonization. These genes are: mrk, kpsM, foc, auf, C, Kps, chuA, hma, ireA, iha, iutA, fliC, ompA, upab, upaC, upaG, and upaH. Doctors typically treat UTIs with a wide range of different antibiotics, such as fosfomycin, nitrofurantonin, pivmecillinam, trimethoprim, sulfamethoxazole, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin and prulifloxacin. However, some strains of E. coli, called extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) E. coli, are resistant to most antibiotic treatments.
Cuvinte cheie: urinary tract infections, Escherichia coli, ESBL.