Escherichia coli strain FWSEC0521

Escherichia coli strain FWSEC0521 is a Gram-negative, rod-shaped bacterium that exhibits mobility due to the presence of flagella. This strain is classified as a facultative anaerobe, indicating its ability to thrive in both aerobic and anaerobic environments. It prefers a mesophilic temperature range, with an optimal growth temperature of 37°C. FWSEC0521 has a unique biotic relationship as it is free-living, yet it is also associated with a diverse range of hosts, including Homo sapiens, Gallus gallus, Bos taurus, and various others across multiple taxa, including mammals, birds, and even plants like Solanum lycopersicum. The strain is characterized by a single replicon and possesses two membranes, typical of Gram-negative bacteria. FWSEC0521 is associated with a wide array of health effects in humans, including urinary tract infections (UTIs), gastrointestinal infections, and severe conditions such as neonatal meningitis and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). The bacterium's pathogenicity in humans underscores its significance as a clinical concern, particularly in relation to foodborne infections and diseases that affect the urinary and gastrointestinal tracts. The ecological insight drawn from the host associations of FWSEC0521 suggests that this strain plays a multifaceted role in both health and disease across different organisms. Its free-living nature, combined with its ability to cause infections, indicates a complex interaction with the microbiomes of various hosts, potentially influencing both microbial diversity and disease dynamics within those ecosystems.