Escherichia coli, a Versatile Pathogen

Escherichia coli
is a facultative anaerobic Gamma-proteobacterium, which belongs to the family Enterobacteriaceae. While being an important constituent of the normal gut microbiota, specialized
E. coli
clones have acquired genetic elements that allow them to compete with the endogenous commensals, colonise normally sterile niches and cause disease.
E. coli
pathotypes can cause intestinal and extra intestinal infections (e. g. UTI, sepsis) and associate with mammalian cells while being extra- or intra-cellular. In recent years,
E. coli
infections have become a serious clinical problem, due to the rapid spread of antibiotic resistance. Thus, infections with intestinal
E. coli
(e. g.
E. coli
O104) or extraintestinal pathogenic strains (e. g.
E. coli
ST131) are becoming difficult to treat and are often lethal. Consequently, there is a pressing need to develop alternative control measures, including the identification of new drug targetsand development of vaccines that offer lasting protection.

This volume focuses on several types of
E. coli
infections (intestinal and extraintestinal), virulence factors, and
E. coli
pandemics. It addresses the problem of antibiotic resistance, and a dedicated chapter discusses the need to develop alternative control measures. Given its depth and breadth of coverage, the book will benefit all those interested in the biology, genetics, physiology and pathogenesis of
E. coli
, and in related vaccine development.

Shigella
and enteroinvasive
Escherichia coli. -
Enteroaggregative
Escherichia coli. -
The Type III Secretion System of pathogenic
Escherichia coli
. - Modulation of host cell processes by T3SS effectors. - The 2011 German enterohemorrhagic
Escherichia coli
O104:H4 outbreak the danger is still out there. - Extraintestinal Pathogenic
Escherichia coli. -
Pandemic bacteremic
Escherichia coli
strains: evolution and emergence of drug resistant pathogens. - Current Trends in Antimicrobial Resistance of
Escherichia coli. -
Vaccines against
Escherichia coli.