Landes Highlights

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (StEC) cause hemorrhagic colitis (hC) and hemolytic uremic syndrome (hUS) in humans. Outbreaks are linked to bovine food sources. While StEC O157:h7 has been responsible for the most severe outbreaks worldwide, non-O157 serotypes have emerged as important enteric pathogens in several countries. the main virulence factor of StEC is the production of Shiga toxins 1 and 2. additional virulence markers include plasmid-encoded enterohemolysin (ehxa), autoagglutinating adhesin (Saa), catalase-peroxidase (katP), extracellular serine protease (espP), zinc metalloprotease (stcE) and subtilase cytotoxin (subaB). Other virulence factors are intimin and adhesins, which play a Landes Highlights