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Allergy & Immunology722 papers

Infection caused by Escherichia coli

Last edited: 4/14/2026

Overview

Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a gram-negative bacterium commonly found in the human gut, often symbiotic but can cause various infections including urinary tract infections, meningitis, and enteric disorders, particularly through virulent strains like Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC). Rising antibiotic resistance underscores the need for alternative treatments such as vaccines 1.

Diagnosis

  • Clinical Presentation: Symptoms vary by infection site (e.g., dysuria for UTIs, bloody diarrhea for STEC).
  • Laboratory Tests: Stool cultures, urinalysis, blood cultures as indicated.
  • Serotyping: Essential for identifying virulent strains like STEC 14.
  • Hydration Status: Important prognostic indicator in STEC infections 2.
  • Management

  • First-Line Treatments:
  • - Antibiotics: Not routinely recommended for uncomplicated UTIs due to resistance concerns; consider fosfomycin or nitrofurantoin for uncomplicated cases 1. - Supportive Care: Focus on hydration, especially in STEC infections 2.
  • Adjunctive Treatments:
  • - Antitoxin Therapies: Considered in severe STEC cases, though specific agents not detailed in abstracts 2. - Monitoring: Close monitoring for complications like hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) in STEC infections 2.

    Special Populations

  • Pediatrics: Management approaches vary between pediatric emergency medicine and nephrology; emphasize hydration and close monitoring for HUS 2.
  • Comorbidities: No specific guidance provided in abstracts; general supportive care principles apply 2.
  • Key Recommendations

  • Prioritize supportive care, particularly hydration, in managing STEC infections to improve outcomes (Evidence: Moderate 2).
  • Consider serotype identification to guide targeted management strategies for virulent strains (Evidence: Moderate 14).
  • Exercise caution with antibiotic use due to rising resistance, reserving specific antibiotics like fosfomycin for uncomplicated UTIs (Evidence: Expert opinion 1).
  • References

    1 Chowdhury S, Sadhukhan P, Mahata N. Immunoinformatics investigation on pathogenic Escherichia coli proteome to develop an epitope-based peptide vaccine candidate. Molecular diversity 2025. link 2 Freedman SB, Grisaru S, Xie J, Samuel S, Dixon A, Plint AC et al.. Management of Shiga toxin producing Escherichia coli-infected children: A multi-national, multi-specialty survey. Journal of paediatrics and child health 2018. link 3 Huff GR, Huff WE, Rath NC, Anthony NB, Nestor KE. Effects of Escherichia coli challenge and transport stress on hematology and serum chemistry values of three genetic lines of turkeys. Poultry science 2008. link 4 Syu WJ, Kahan L. Both ends of Escherichia coli ribosomal protein S13 are immunochemically accessible in situ. Journal of protein chemistry 1992. link 5 Pages JM, Bolla JM. Assembly of the OmpF porin of Escherichia coli B. Immunological and kinetic studies of the integration pathway. European journal of biochemistry 1988. link 6 Göransson M, Forsman K, Uhlin BE. Functional and structural homology among regulatory cistrons of pili-adhesin determinants in Escherichia coli. Molecular & general genetics : MGG 1988. link 7 Bosch D, Leunissen J, Verbakel J, de Jong M, van Erp H, Tommassen J. Periplasmic accumulation of truncated forms of outer-membrane PhoE protein of Escherichia coli K-12. Journal of molecular biology 1986. link90316-5) 8 Barassi CA, Kranz RG, Gennis RB. Characterization of monoclonal antibodies directed against pyruvate oxidase from Escherichia coli: modulation of antibody-induced inhibition by enzyme conformation. Biochemical and biophysical research communications 1986. link91162-9) 9 van der Ley P, Amesz H, Tommassen J, Lugtenberg B. Monoclonal antibodies directed against the cell-surface-exposed part of PhoE pore protein of the Escherichia coli K-12 outer membrane. European journal of biochemistry 1985. link 10 Wright JK, Overath P. Purification of the lactose:H+ carrier of Escherichia coli and characterization of galactoside binding and transport. European journal of biochemistry 1984. link 11 Nikiforov VG, Yakubov LZ, Bogachova GT, Lebedev AN, Rokhlin OV. Monoclonal antibodies inhibiting RNA polymerase from Escherichia coli. FEBS letters 1983. link80687-5) 12 Griesser HW, Müller-Hill B, Overath P. Characterization of beta-galactosidase--lactose-permease chimaeras of Escherichia coli. European journal of biochemistry 1983. link 13 Crowlesmith I, Gamon K. Rate of translation and kinetics of processing of newly synthesized molecules of two major outer-membrane proteins, the OmpA and OmpF proteins, of Escherichia coli K12. European journal of biochemistry 1982. link 14 Bettelheim KA. The sources of "OH" serotypes of Escherichia coli. The Journal of hygiene 1978. link 15 Santer M, Ruebush TK, Van Brunt J, Oldmixon E, Hess R, Primakoff P et al.. Identification of a precursor pool of ribosome protein in Escherichia coli. Journal of bacteriology 1968. link

    Original source

    1. [1]
    2. [2]
      Management of Shiga toxin producing Escherichia coli-infected children: A multi-national, multi-specialty survey.Freedman SB, Grisaru S, Xie J, Samuel S, Dixon A, Plint AC et al. Journal of paediatrics and child health (2018)
    3. [3]
    4. [4]
    5. [5]
    6. [6]
      Functional and structural homology among regulatory cistrons of pili-adhesin determinants in Escherichia coli.Göransson M, Forsman K, Uhlin BE Molecular & general genetics : MGG (1988)
    7. [7]
      Periplasmic accumulation of truncated forms of outer-membrane PhoE protein of Escherichia coli K-12.Bosch D, Leunissen J, Verbakel J, de Jong M, van Erp H, Tommassen J Journal of molecular biology (1986)
    8. [8]
    9. [9]
      Monoclonal antibodies directed against the cell-surface-exposed part of PhoE pore protein of the Escherichia coli K-12 outer membrane.van der Ley P, Amesz H, Tommassen J, Lugtenberg B European journal of biochemistry (1985)
    10. [10]
    11. [11]
      Monoclonal antibodies inhibiting RNA polymerase from Escherichia coli.Nikiforov VG, Yakubov LZ, Bogachova GT, Lebedev AN, Rokhlin OV FEBS letters (1983)
    12. [12]
      Characterization of beta-galactosidase--lactose-permease chimaeras of Escherichia coli.Griesser HW, Müller-Hill B, Overath P European journal of biochemistry (1983)
    13. [13]
    14. [14]
      The sources of "OH" serotypes of Escherichia coli.Bettelheim KA The Journal of hygiene (1978)
    15. [15]
      Identification of a precursor pool of ribosome protein in Escherichia coli.Santer M, Ruebush TK, Van Brunt J, Oldmixon E, Hess R, Primakoff P et al. Journal of bacteriology (1968)

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