BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) is the most common causes of diarrhea and its mortality is estimated at 157,000 deaths per year that equivalent 9 percent of all deaths attributed to diarrhea. Vaccine development against ETEC has been identified as an important primary prevention strategy against bacteria. Present study aims to provide importance of and pathogenesis of ETEC bacteria and research in the field of vaccine against it.
METHODS: In this study literature search was conducted in NCBI databases with ETEC, virulence factors, colonization factors, enterotoxins and vaccine as keywords. Related articles were collected and investigated.
FINDINGS: Survey of articles indicated that mucosal immunization could provide the secretary IgA antibody (sIgA) response and are of particular importance for protection against ETEC infection. Diversity and geographical distribution of bacterial strains is one of the main problems to deal effectively against disease caused by ETEC. One of the important points is expressing of different CFs on bacterial surface. Development of a vaccine against bacteria and toxins strains is dependent on careful investigation of the prevalence of colonization factors and toxin strains.
CONCLUSION: Scrutiny could reduce information gaps and expected to help appropriately for development strategies against bacteria. Design multivalent ETEC immunogens containing the most prevalent colonization factors and toxins may provide protection against a wide range of ETEC strains.