Autotransporter proteins of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7

大肠杆菌O157:H7已在美国和英国引起数百起疫情。虽然目前在澳大利亚还不是一个大问题，但O157:H7大肠杆菌的出现将对我们的肉类和畜牧业产生严重影响。这项研究将为选择疫苗抗原提供重要信息，用于预防大肠杆菌O157:H7和其他腹泻性大肠杆菌血清型在牛体内定植。这样做的一个直接结果将是改善人类健康，因为大肠杆菌O157:H7可在人类中引起危及生命的感染。该研究还将研究特异性粘附素对生物膜形成的贡献；防止生物膜形成的措施可能会减少大肠杆菌O157:H7在环境中的持续存在和传播。

Escherichi (E.) coli O157:H7 has caused hundreds of outbreaks in the United States and United Kingdom. Although not currently a major problem in Australia, the emergence of E. coli O157:H7 here would have serious implications for our meat and livestock industry. This study will provide important information for the selection of vaccine antigens used to prevent the colonisation of cattle with E. coli O157:H7 and other diarrhoeagenic E. coli serotypes. A direct outcome of this will be improved human health, as E. coli O157:H7 can cause life threatening infections in humans. The study will also examine the contribution of specific adhesins to biofilm formation; measures to prevent biofilm formation may reduce the persistence and spread of E. coli O157:H7 in the environment.