Review

Nature Reviews Microbiology 2, 123-140 (February 2004) | doi:10.1038/nrmicro818

Article series: Food Microbiology

Pathogenic Escherichia coli

James B. Kaper1,2, James P. Nataro1,3 & Harry L. T. Mobley2  About the authors

Top

Few microorganisms are as versatile as Escherichia coli. An important member of the normal intestinal microflora of humans and other mammals, E. coli has also been widely exploited as a cloning host in recombinant DNA technology. But E. coli is more than just a laboratory workhorse or harmless intestinal inhabitant; it can also be a highly versatile, and frequently deadly, pathogen. Several different E. coli strains cause diverse intestinal and extraintestinal diseases by means of virulence factors that affect a wide range of cellular processes.

Author affiliations

  1. Center for Vaccine Development, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, USA.
  2. Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, USA.
  3. Department of Pediatrics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, USA.

Correspondence to: James B. Kaper1,2 Email: jkaper@umaryland.edu

MORE ARTICLES LIKE THIS

These links to content published by NPG are automatically generated.

NEWS AND VIEWS

Slaying the Hydra all at once or head by head?

Nature Medicine News and Views (01 May 1998)

Extra navigation

Subscribe

Subscribe to Nature Reviews Microbiology

Search PubMed for

Open Innovation Challenges

naturejobs

Advertisement