Genomic characterization of an atypical enteropathogenic Escherichia coli strain isolated in Fujian province, China

摘要

Dear Editor,Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) is recognized as the leading cause of infantile diarrhea in developing countries.Since 1996,EPEC has been divided into typical and atypical strains,based on the presence or absence of the plasmid encoding an EPEC adherence factor (EAF).Unlike typical EPEC (tEPEC) strains that infect human solely,atypical EPEC (aEPEC) strains have a wider host range and are more prevalent than tEPEC in both industrialized and developing countries.The role for aEPEC as a diarrheagenic pathogen in human is controversial in that some aEPEC can cause acute and persistent diarrhea in children,whereas aEPEC is also highly prevalent in asymptomatic children.