Escherichia coli strain FWSEC0252

Escherichia coli strain FWSEC0252 is a gram-negative, rod-shaped bacterium that exhibits a facultative anaerobic lifestyle. It is capable of movement due to the presence of flagella and typically arranges in pairs or as singles. The optimal growth temperature for FWSEC0252 is 37°C, classifying it as mesophilic, and it has a single replicon with a characteristic double membrane structure. This strain is primarily host-associated and has been identified in a wide range of hosts, including Homo sapiens (humans), Gallus gallus (chickens), Bos taurus (cattle), and various other vertebrates and invertebrates. This extensive host range indicates its adaptability and ecological versatility. FWSEC0252 is known to be pathogenic to humans, associated with several health conditions, including urinary tract infections (UTIs), gastrointestinal infections, neonatal meningitis, and more severe complications such as hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) and septicemia. The presence of this strain in multiple hosts, including domesticated animals and wildlife, underscores its potential as a zoonotic pathogen and its relevance in food safety, as it can lead to foodborne infections. The ecological insight here is that E. coli FWSEC0252 exemplifies the complex interactions between bacteria, their hosts, and the environment, highlighting the importance of monitoring such strains in both clinical and agricultural settings. Understanding its pathogenicity and host relationships can aid in developing strategies to mitigate its health impacts.