Biofilm formation by LEE-negative Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli strains.

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) include several serotypes isolated from cases of hemorrhagic colitis and, hemolytic uremic syndrome. Although O157:H7 is the most predominant STEC serotype, more than 100 non-O157 serogroups cause diseases in humans. Some STEC carry a Locus of Enterocyte Effacement (LEE-positive); however, STEC that do not carry LEE (LEE-negative) have also been associated with illness, mainly those harbouring the Locus of Adhesion and Autoaggregation (LAA).