Table 2.
Sample of uropathogenic Escherichia coli virulence factors.a
| Type | Name | Function | Gene |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adhesion62,84 | Type 1 fimbriae | Adhesion, urothelial binding and invasion, IBC formation | fimH |
| Adhesion62 | P fimbriae | Adhesion, urothelial binding, associated with pyelonephritis | PapG |
| Iron metabolism63,84,85 | Aerobactin siderophore receptor | Ferric iron uptake | iutA |
| Toxin/nitrogen metabolism84,86,87 | Urease | Cleaves urea to NH3 and CO2 | Ure |
| Toxin65 | α-hemolysin | Erythrocyte lysis, tissue injury, urothelial exfoliation, host signal modulation | hlyA |
| Protection65 | Serum survival protein | Impairs complement activity at outer membrane | iss |
| Protection65,84,88 | K1 capsule | Shields bacteria from phagocytosis, blocks alternative complement | kpsMT |
a
Uropathogenic E. coli possess a diverse array of virulence factors, each of which contributes to infection of the urinary tract. No single virulence factor is sufficient for infection. Rather, it is the cumulative effect of multiple factors (protective, toxigenic, metabolism, adhesion) that allows for infection of the urinary tract.59