P2-related prophages have been found in a large variety of enteric bacteria. Comparative studies of the genomes of these phages have revealed numerous so-called "lysogenic conversion genes", which introduce new phenotypic properties to the bacterial host. Some of these genes are known virulence factors. The long-term goal of this project is to analyze pathogenic E. coli strains for the presence of P2-related prophages and to determine whether genes carried on these prophages contribute to the virulence of these bacteria. These bacteria are responsible for serious illness (diarrhea) and even death in several developing nations. Developing a better understanding of these strains and a possible connection to P2-related phages will help to control these virulent strains.

In this study we plan to screen a collection of phlyogenetically classified enteroaggregative E. coli strains [Czeczulin, J.R. et al. 1999. Infect Immun. 67:2692-2699] for the presence of P2-related prophages and then determine what lysogenic conversion genes are carried by these prophages.

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