Escherichia coli strain M17: Analysis of adhesive phenotype as a factor of host colonization and/or pathogenicity

FimH adhesins M1L and M1H are differently adapted to colonization of primary normal and secondary pathological niches of human E. coli. The M-L phenotype is typical and optimal for intestinal E. coli, while M-H phenotype predominates among pathogenic strains and is undesirable for the eubiotic intestinal E. coli strain M17.