Escherichia coli

Escherichia coli are nearly ubiquitous in the human gastrointestinal tract. However, they account for only a small proportion of the overall gut microbiome and most often exist in this setting without compromising host health. Nevertheless, E. coli expressing virulence traits cause a wide variety of disease syndromes via multiple mechanisms and display vast genetic differences within and between pathotypes. E. coli are common causes of diarrheagenic illness globally, are the most common cause of uncomplicated and complicated urinary tract infections, and are a leading cause of bacteremia, sepsis, and neonatal meningitis. E. coli are also a leading cause of intra-abdominal infections, which includes disease syndromes such as cholecystitis, diverticulitis and peritonitis. Additionally, E. coli are involved in non-diarrheagenic intestinal inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Increasing antibiotic resistance among E. coli contributes to rising morbidity, mortality and substantial healthcare and societal costs associated with infection. E. coli is emerging as one of the most important human pathogens globally. Many E. coli vaccines are under development, and effective vaccines could significantly contribute to the control of E. coli disease as well as antibiotic resistance and consumption.