Virulence Characteristics and Phylogenetic Background of Multidrug‐Resistant and Antimicrobial‐Susceptible Clinical Isolates ofEscherichia colifrom across the United States, 2000–2001

Abstract
Background. Increases in antimicrobial resistance in Escherichia coli have been paralleled by an increasing incidence of E. coli sepsis, suggesting a possible link between resistance and virulence.