Complete nucleotide sequence of pRS218, a large virulence plasmid, that augments pathogenic potential of meningitis-associated Escherichia coli strain RS218.

Background: Escherichia coli is the most predominant Gram-negative bacterial pathogen associated with neonatal meningitis. Previous studies indicated that the prototypic neonatal meningitis E. coli (NMEC) strain RS218 (O18:K1:H7) harbors one large plasmid.