E coli

Question 1

what are the different antigens that E.Coli contains?

Answer 1

O,H,K,F antigens (each antigen encodes for a specific structure)
O - LPS
H - flagella
K - capsule
F - fimbriae

Question 2

what are the different strains of E.Coli which are most common among young children in developing world?

Answer 2

1. EPEC - creates a translocation tube to access and anchor into the enterocyte
2. EIEC

Question 3

which E.coli strain causes intestinal disease and what are its virulence factors?

Answer 3

extra intestinal pathogenic E.coli (ExPEC)
* adhesins = adhesive tips that bind to proteins on uroepithelium, mediating adhesion, invasion of uroepithelium and the formation of intracellular bacterial communities
* toxins = Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)
* α-Haemolysin (HlyA) is secreted = pore-formming toxin, cytotoxic towards epithelial cells in the urinary tract

Question 4

What causes diarrhoea related E.coli?

Answer 4

• untreated water
• raw fruit + vegetables
• undercooked meat

Question 5

how is diarrhoes related E-coli treated?

Answer 5

• most people recover within a few days
• clear liquids are recommended to prevent dehydrate
• avoid antibiotics