Distribution of the outer membrane haem receptor protein ChuA in environmental and human isolates of

ChuA, the haem receptor of Escherichia coli, is thought to contribute to the pathogenicity of E. coli strains causing extraintestinal infections. We investigated the prevalence and distribution of chuA in E. coli analysing 304 strains from different origins. 30% of E. coli strains isolated from the environment and about 70% of E. coli strains isolated from human sources carried chuA. No difference in chuA prevalence was found between commensals...