Escherichia coli is commonly associated with urinary tract infections and wound infections.
Urinary tract infections: Escherichia coli is the most common cause of uncomplicated and complicated UTIs, responsible for up to 80–90% of community-acquired infections. Uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) strains possess virulence factors like adhesins, toxins, and iron acquisition systems that facilitate colonization and persistence in the urinary tract. Due to its prevalence and clinical significance, E. coli is a core target in all UTI molecular diagnostic panels (Flores et al. 2015, Timm et al. 2025).
Wound infections: Escherichia coli is a frequent cause of wound infections, particularly in wounds contaminated with fecal material or in abdominal surgeries. It is often part of polymicrobial infections and can complicate wound healing due to its virulence and potential resistance mechanisms, such as extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs). E. coli’s inclusion in a PCR wound panel is justified because it is frequently present in infected wounds and often carries multidrug resistance genes underscoring its clinical relevance (Petkovsek et al. 2009).
Flores-Mireles AL, Walker JN, Caparon M, Hultgren SJ. Urinary tract infections: epidemiology, mechanisms of infection and treatment options. Nat Rev Microbiol. 2015 May;13(5):269-84.
Timm, M.R., Russell, S.K. & Hultgren, S.J. Timm, M.R., Russell, S.K. & Hultgren, S.J. Urinary tract infections: pathogenesis, host susceptibility and emerging therapeutics. Nat Rev Microbiol 23, 72–86 (2025).
Petkovsek, Z., Elersic, K., Gubina, M., Zgur-Bertok, D., & Starcic Erjavec, M. (2009). Virulence potential of Escherichia coli isolates from skin and soft tissue infections. Journal of clinical microbiology, 47(6), 1811–1817.
