Editorial: Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli(STEC) infections and consequences

GOLDSTEIN J; BENTANCOR L

Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology

Lausanne : Frontiers Media SA

Año: 2022

2235-2988

Infection with Shiga toxin (Stx) producing Escherichia coli(STEC) causes hemorrhagic colitis; it is a serious public health problem. In some cases, it can evolve to Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS), an illness characterized by a triad of events including non-immune haemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and acute renal failure caused by Shiga toxin (Stx) expressed by STEC (Fakhouri et al., 2017). Once Stx reaches the bloodstream it may target endothelial, kidney, and/or brain cells through the Stx globotriaosylceramide receptor (Gb3), causing cytotoxicity (Celi et al., 2022).Neurological impairment frequently occurs and is associated with a worse prognosis. In addition to Stx2 pathogenicity, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is another virulence factor that is also released from STEC, enhancing the deleterious effects of Stx in different cells and organs (Goldstein et al., 2021).The current Research Topic received six relevant works from worldwide. We will describe the more relevant aspects and conclusions about them.