Editorial: Interaction of pathogenic escherichia coli with the host: Pathogenomics, virulence and antibiotic resistance

Abstract

Escherichia coli live as commensals in the intestines of humans and warm-blooded animals (Leimbach et al., 2013). Although most E. coli strains rarely produce disease in healthy individuals, pathogenic strains can cause a wide range of diseases in the gastrointestinal tract or extraintestinal sites in healthy and immunocompromised individuals (Kaper et al., 2004). This variety of behaviors is due to the existence of virulence genes in mobile genetic elements and the large permissiveness of E. coli to acquire these elements by horizontal gene transfer (Dobrindt et al., 2004; Kaper et al., 2004; Croxen and Finlay, 2010; Leimbach et al., 2013; Johnson and Russo, 2018). The acquisition of specific combinations of virulence genes defined the presently recognized diarrheagenic E. coli (DEC) pathotypes, which constitute the most critical contributors to diarrhea cases, especially in infants and young children in low- and middle-income countries (Gomes et al., 2016; Jesser and Levy, 2020). These pathotypes differ concerning their virulence mechanisms, preferential sites of intestinal colonization, symptoms, and clinical presentation. In turn, E. coli strains involved in extraintestinal infections are collectively known as extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC), as their virulence factor arsenal allows their spread to and multiplication in extraintestinal organs, leading to signs and symptoms mainly in the urinary tract, blood, and meninges (Russo and Johnson, 2000; Vila et al., 2016; Biran and Ron, 2018). Although clinical outcomes may vary in severity, pathogenic E. coli remains a public health concern as they continue to gain novel traits, occasionally resulting in more virulent strains. This Research Topic highlights our growing understanding of the process of host-pathogen interactions as it relates to E. coli, addressing the genetic diversity, evolution, antimicrobial resistance, and novel molecular mechanisms and virulence strategies in their interaction with the host in various disease conditions. E. coli typing, diagnostic, and potential therapy procedures are also discussed.