Uropathogenic strain. Escherichia coli 536

Escherichia coli strain 536. This strain (536; O6:K15:H31) is a uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) that was isolated from a patient with acute pyelonephritis (inflammation of the kidney and pelvis). It is a model organism of extraintestinal E. coli, which are among the most common causes of non-hospital-acquired urinary tract infections (UTIs) and UPEC strains are responsible for 40% of nosocomial UTIs. Comparative genomics with other E. coli, especially UPEC strains such as CFT073 will reveal important pathogenicity traits. Studies on strain 536 have revealed at least 5 pathogenicity islands. The project is a collaboration with the group of Prof. Hacker, Institute for Molecular Infection Biology, University of Wurzburg.