Characterisation of enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli lacking classical virulence markers

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Some intestinal infections with the intestinal bacterium, E. coli, can result in severe, often fatal, kidney disease called the haemolytic uraemic syndrome. It is important for the diagnosis and treatment of this condition that the infections are detected swiftly. Current means of identifying this virulent form of E. coli are inadequate and do not account for all types of the bacteria that can cause severe disease. Children are particularly susceptible to life threatening infections with this type of E.coli and usually acquire the infection by consuming contaminated food or water. This organism is currently a global food safety problem and the bacteria are especially prevalent in ground beef products and water or vegetables that have been contaminated with cattle faeces. In this study we aim to identify new bacterial genes and proteins that may be used to improve current means of detecting and diagnosing this kind of E.coli. A great deal is known about the way in which the classical strains of this virulent E .coli colonise the intestine however a small but significant group of these organisms do not carry known colonisation factors. We aim to identify bacterial proteins in these non-classical strains of E.coli which are needed for attachment of the bacteria to the host. Identifying how these bacteria interact with the host may help us to develop improved means of detecting and diagnosing this life-threatening infection.