Phages and Escherichia coli

Abstract

In nature, complex interactions occur between phages and bacteria. Phages can impact their host physiology, population dynamics, and long-term evolution. They can encode virulence factors, regulate their production, and mobilize them, converting commensal strains into pathogens. Phages can also have an active role in disease due to their interaction with eukaryotic cells. On the other hand, since they lyse their bacterial host during their replication cycle, they show a high potential to fight against pathogens. These contrasting aspects of phages are addressed for E. coli and their phages in this chapter, focusing on the contributions made by Latin American research groups.