Chapters authored
Virulence Factors of Uropathogenic E. coli
In order for a successful infection and creating a satisfactory environment inside the host, strains of uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) need some special features that are achieved by expressing particular genes, called virulence factors. Two of the most important surface virulence factors of UPEC are type 1 fimbriae and P fimbriae that are crucial for the colonization process inside the urinary tract. Expression of these virulence factors converts a commensal strain into an uropathogen. Beside these factors, outer membrane proteins also contribute to virulence being involved in the secretory machinery; an example of such type is TolC protein that transfers α-hemolysin across the outer membrane of E. coli. However, α-hemolysin along with many other toxins serves various pathogenic roles during UTIs including adhesion, colonization, cytotoxic activity, etc. Moreover, virulence factors located on bacterial surface including capsule and lipopolysaccharides may also have the contribution to UTIs providing antiphagocytosis and antibactericidal complement activity.
Part of the book: Microbiology of Urinary Tract Infections