P fimbriae

[3] P fimbriae mediate adherence to host cells, a key event in the pathogenesis of urinary tract infections.

[6][7] Adherence to host uroepithelial cells is a crucial step during the infection that allows uropathogenic E.coli to colonize the urinary tract and prevents bacterial removal during micturition.

Variant PapGII binds preferentially to globoside (GbO4), found abundantly on human kidney epithelial cells.

[8] Most E. coli strains causing pyelonephritis, urinary-source bacteremia and urosepsis produce P pili with PapGII.

E. coli strains carrying the papGIII gene are associated with lower urinary tract infections (cystitis) and asymptomatic bacteriuria.