Acquisition of virulence-associated factors by the enteric pathogens Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica

In this review we summarize recent genomic studies that shed light on the m echanism through which pathogenic Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica have evolved. We show how acquisition of DNA at specific sites on the chrom osome has contributed to increased genetic variation and virulence of these two genera of the Enterobacteriaceae.