Escherichia coli (Gram-negative) is the predominant facultative organism in the human intestine. It is responsible for a number of diseases like urinary tract infections, gastroenteritis (diarrhoea), meningitis, traveler's diarrhea and hemorrhagic colitis. There are a myriad of serotypes of pathogenic E. coli. Adhesion to the host cells is an important step in its pathogenesis. However, most strains are harmless and normal flora residing in the gut.
EtpA adhesin has a role in bridging flagella and host cells. Colonization by ETEC H10407 is prevented by immunizing mice with recombinant, full length EtpA glycoprotein.
