Diarrheagenic subtypes of E coli

What are the diarrheagenic subtypes of E coli? 

There are six subtypes of diarrheagenic E. coli:

  • Enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) —notable for toxin production, either heat labile, heat stable, or both, and is the most common cause of travelers’ diarrhea in many developing countries.
  • Diffusely adherent E. coli and enteropathogenic E. coli —common in children of younger than 2 years. Tight adherence to small bowel.
  • Enteroinvasive E. coli (EIEC) —able to invade mucosal lining (type 3 secretory apparatus); causes a presentation similar to Shigella enterocolitis.
  • Enteroadherent/aggregative E. coli (EAEC) —associated cause of persistent chronic diarrhea in children and travelers. A common cause of traveler’s diarrhea in addition to ETEC.
  • EHEC —associated colitis and bloody diarrhea, and the hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Pathologic findings are secondary to Shigalike toxin production. Serotype O157:H7 is the most common EHEC representative. It is most commonly transmitted through food supply, in particular contaminated beef products. It is isolated on Sorbitol-MacConkey agar and toxin production with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (does not ferment sorbitol). HUS occurs in approximately 5% to 15% of pediatric cases in which antibiotic therapy has been associated with the onset of HUS.
  • STEC —Shiga toxin–producing strains other than EHEC. A recent outbreak of O104:H4 in 2011 resulted in illness in primarily adults and was associated with HUS in some cases.
15585

Sign up to receive the trending updates and tons of Health Tips

Join SeekhealthZ and never miss the latest health information

15856