Future of escherichia coli research in Latin America

Tânia A.T. Gomes, Cristina Ibarra, Fernando Navarro-Garcia, Marina Palermo, Valeria Prado, Marta Rivas, Alfredo G. Torres

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

Abstract

In the 21st century, diarrhea is still a leading cause of illness and death especially in children in Latin American countries. ETEC, EHEC, EPEC, and EAEC remain as the major categories of pathogenic E. coli associated with diarrheal disease; however, it is evident that a shift in the serotypes responsible for human disease is occurring in this region. Recent reports implicated atypical EPEC as an important emerging category of E. coli and the association of EHEC O157:H7 as a cause of hemolytic uremic syndrome in Latin America is becoming evident. Significant improvements are required in the area of early diagnosis to increase the likelihood of an effective treatment. In this region, very few studies have addressed the emergence of antimicrobial resistance and high asymptomatic carriage rates for diarrheagenic E. coli (DEC), as well as non-human reservoirs and vehicles of transmission, are largely unknown. It is evident that broadening the epidemiological surveys to include emerging and re-emerging categories of DECs while increasing the capabilities of detection and novel treatment is a priority for the future of the E. coli research in Latin America.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationPathogenic Escherichia coli in Latin America
PublisherBentham Science Publishers Ltd.
Pages256-261
Number of pages6
ISBN (Print)9781608055715
DOIs
StatePublished - 2010
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

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