Type IV Longus Pilus of Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli : Occurrence and Association with Toxin Types and Colonization Factors among Strains Isolated in Argentina

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Abstract
The longus type IV pilus structural gene ( lngA ) was sought among 217 clinical enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) strains isolated in Argentina. lngA was present in 20.7% of the isolates and was highly associated with ETEC producing heat-stable toxin and the most common colonization factors. The prevalence of longus among ETEC strains in Argentina was comparable to that of colonization factor antigen I (CFA/I), CFA/II, and CFA/IV in other regions of the world.