Virulence and transmission of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC)
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | Karolinska Institutet - Institutionen för mikrobiologi, tumör- och cellbiologi |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 2 273 000 |
| Project duration | December 2011 - December 2015 |
| Status | Completed |
Purpose and goal
The project aimed to get improved understanding of the transmission pattern, and virulence potential of the diarrheal pathogen enterotoxigenic E. coli. ETEC strains were studied using next generation sequencing techniques and molecular methods in collaboration with global partners.
Results and expected effects
We found by whole genome sequencing that several clonal ETEC lineages emerged in the 2000 century and were able to spread globally, the results were published in Nature Genetics in 2104 and gained international attention. We found that certain toxin variants are preserved in the clonal lineages and additional experiments to study this clonal expansion are ongoing including transcriptomics and proteomics of ETEC in various conditions. The results have impact on understanding why and how pathogenic clones emerge and can generate knowledge for other pathogens as well.
Approach and implementation
We used next generation sequence techniques together with PCR, proteomic approaches and classical microbiology culturing to study ETEC and also other gastroenteric pathogens. Collaboration with several universities and institutes globally was necessary to generate the results. The individual projects were analysed by PhD students and post-docs in my group and have now generated a competence pool and new knowledge.