The pathogenesis and laboratory diagnosis of infections caused by diarrhoea producing Escherichia coli

Abstract

Escherichia coli strains isolated from patients with diarrhoea are a heterogeneous group displaying several pathogenic mechanisms. Pathogenic E. coli cause disease by producing virulence factors, the genes for which are located on chromosomes, plasmids and phage genomes. This article reviews modern microbiological techniques which have enhanced our knowledge of the pathogenesis of infections caused by diarrhoeagenic E. coli and the various new diagnostic techniques available.