About this Research Topic
Enterohaemorrhagic and Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EHEC and EPEC) are significant global pathogens. These food borne bacteria are associated with severe diarrheal disease, particularly in young children. Sporadic outbreaks range in impact from small to large-scale situations affecting thousands of people. Moreover, EHEC and EPEC are zoonotic pathogens, colonizing a variety of livestock animals. Fecal shedding from animals often contaminates environmental water sources with EHEC and EPEC, leading to further agricultural complications and economic losses. These attaching and effacing intestinal pathogens have evolved sophisticated adherence and immune evasion mechanisms to survive within many hosts. Notably, infections by toxigenic strains (STEC/VTEC) can lead to lifelong kidney or neurological pathologies, and in severe cases mortality. Therefore the global health and economic impacts of EHEC and EPEC are relevant international issues.
This Research Topic aims to highlight advances in the understanding of various genetic and biochemical features of EHEC and EPEC. Contributions that investigate aspects of the molecular biology of these attaching and effacing pathogens are invited. Examples of contributions include studies on surface structure biology, secretion systems, toxins, effector function, and virulence mechanisms. Manuscripts addressing signal transduction, stress response, and the role of microbial physiological adaptations in disease are of interest. Studies on gene regulation and genetic elements including bacteriophages, plasmids, and pathogenicity islands are encouraged. Contributions that highlight recent advances in clinical microbiology with genomic and/or proteomic approaches for diagnostics are welcomed.
Studies that use animal models to study EHEC and EPEC virulence and colonization dynamics are of interest along with discoveries of how EHEC and EPEC interacts with intestinal microflora. The emergence of antibiotic resistant EHEC strains is a serious concern especially in the context of dealing with outbreaks.
EHEC and EPEC continue to be serious threats to global health and agricultural practices. This Research Topic aims to highlight recent discoveries and advances in the molecular biology of these significant pathogens.
This Research Topic aims to highlight advances in the understanding of various genetic and biochemical features of EHEC and EPEC. Contributions that investigate aspects of the molecular biology of these attaching and effacing pathogens are invited. Examples of contributions include studies on surface structure biology, secretion systems, toxins, effector function, and virulence mechanisms. Manuscripts addressing signal transduction, stress response, and the role of microbial physiological adaptations in disease are of interest. Studies on gene regulation and genetic elements including bacteriophages, plasmids, and pathogenicity islands are encouraged. Contributions that highlight recent advances in clinical microbiology with genomic and/or proteomic approaches for diagnostics are welcomed.
Studies that use animal models to study EHEC and EPEC virulence and colonization dynamics are of interest along with discoveries of how EHEC and EPEC interacts with intestinal microflora. The emergence of antibiotic resistant EHEC strains is a serious concern especially in the context of dealing with outbreaks.
EHEC and EPEC continue to be serious threats to global health and agricultural practices. This Research Topic aims to highlight recent discoveries and advances in the molecular biology of these significant pathogens.
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
