Shiga toxin 2 (Stx2) from the foodborne pathogen Escherichia coli O157:H7 is encoded on a temperate bacteriophage. Toxin-encoding phages from C600::933W and from six clinical E. coli O157:H7 isolates were characterized for PCR polymorphisms, phage morphology, toxin production, and lytic and lysogenic infection profiles on O157 and non-O157 serotype E. coli. The phages were found to be highly va...

Despite efforts to improve hygenic conditions and regulate food and drinking water safety, the enteric pathogens, Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) and Shigella dysenteriae serotype 1 remain major public health concerns due to widespread outbreaks and the severity of extra-intestinal diseases they cause, including acute renal failure and central nervous system complications. Shiga t...

Molly M. Leeper Trends in Toxin Profiles of Human Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherchia coli (STEC) O157 Strains, United States, 1996-2008 (Under the direction of Dr. Karen Gieseker, faculty member) Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) cause diarrhea, hemorrhagic colitis, and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). All STEC produce one or both of two Shiga toxins, Stx1 and Stx2. STEC strains that produce S...

The production of Shiga toxin by a bacterial strain is necessary for induction of enteropathogenic haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS). Only strains that produce the toxin are associated with HUS. These include enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli, Shigella dysenteriae and rarely Citrobacter freundii [1, 2]. All strains associated with haemorrhagic colitis and HUS are Gram-negative, thus producing...

This study was conducted to determine the prevalence and characteristics of pathogenic Escherichia (E.) coli strains from diarrheic calves in Vietnam. A total of 345 E. coli isolates obtained from 322 diarrheic calves were subjected to PCR and multiplex PCR for detection of the f5, f41, f17, eae, sta, lt, stx1, and stx2 genes. Of the 345 isolates, 108 (31.3%) carried at least one fimbrial gene....

Shiga toxin 1 and 2 production is a cardinal virulence trait of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli infection that causes a spectrum of intestinal and systemic pathology. However, intestinal sites of enterohemorrhagic E. coli colonization during the human infection and how the Shiga toxins are taken up and cross the globotriaosylceramide (Gb3) receptor-negative intestinal epithelial cells remain...

BACKGROUND The diarrhea associated hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is a major cause of acute uremic failure in children, but not very common in adults. The enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli-epidemic in Germany in 2011 affected mostly young and healthy adults. While their immediate deficits have been published, not much is known about the time course and degree of recovery concerning cognitive...