Abstract
Colonization, the first important step to elicit pathogenicity of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC), was reviewed. Colonization of ETEC is related to the production of specific surface antigens (CFAs) or adhesive factors. CFA/I, CFA/II, E8775 and HP/III were reported to be possible CFAs of human ETEC. Bacterial cell surface hydrophobicity and/or mannose-resistant hemagglutination are closelyassociated with the presence of CFAs. Glycolipids and/or glycoproteins are supposed to be receptors for CFAs. Importance of future studies on CFAs is also discussed.
