Escherichia coli antigens (E. coli antigens)

Escherichia coli (E. coli) antigens are a heterogeneous group of molecules found on the surface of or secreted by E. coli bacteria, which serve as the primary targets for the host immune system (CDC, 2023). These antigens include the O-antigen (part of the lipopolysaccharide layer), H-antigen (flagellar proteins), K-antigen (capsular polysaccharides), and various fimbrial or pili proteins used for attachment to host cells (UniProt, 2024). Additionally, secreted toxins such as Shiga toxins (Stx) and heat-labile/stable enterotoxins are considered critical antigenic targets in pathogenic strains (NIH, 2022). In clinical medicine, these antigens are utilized in the development of vaccines and monoclonal antibodies to prevent or treat conditions like urinary tract infections (UTIs), traveler's diarrhea, and life-threatening sepsis (PubMed, 2023). Therapeutic strategies often focus on neutralizing these antigens to prevent bacterial colonization or to mitigate the systemic effects of bacterial toxins (StatPearls, 2023).

Other names

E. coli surface antigensO-antigensH-antigensK-antigensFimbrial antigensEnterotoxigenic E. coli antigensShiga toxins

Active immunization to induce protective antibodies; passive immunization to neutralize toxins or inhibit bacterial adhesion to host tissues.