Enteroinvasive E. Coli
(EIEC)

Colorectal (Colon) Cancer Slideshow Digestive Disease Myths Slideshow Diverticulitis (Diverticulosis) Slideshow

• What is E. coli?
• Which kinds of E. coli can cause disease?
• In whom does EIEC cause disease?
• What does it take to be infected?
• What does EIEC do after entering the bowels?
• How long is the incubation period?
• What are the main features of EIEC disease?
• How is the laboratory diagnosis made?
• Is food associated with EIEC?
• How about food handlers?
• How is diarrhea due to EIEC treated?
• How can EIEC disease be prevented?
• E. coli (EIEC) At A Glance

What is E. coli?

Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a bacteria that normally lives in the intestines of people (and animals). It can also live elsewhere. Most strains of E coli are quite harmless. They are simply part of the normal intestinal flora. However, there are some kinds of E. coli that are capable of causing disease when within the colon.

Which kinds of E. coli can cause disease?

There are five unique classes of E. coli that can cause inflammation of the stomach and bowels (gastroenteritis) and are, therefore, termed enterovirulent. They are virulent (extremely noxious) for the intestine (or, in Greek, the enteron).

Collectively, these five classes of enterovirulent E. coli are referred to as the EEC group (enterovirulent E. coli). Each class of EEC is distinct and different from the others. They are the:

• Enteroinvasive E. coli (EIEC) invades (passes into) the intestinal wall to produce severe diarrhea.
• Enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC): A type of EHEC, E.coli 0157:H7, can cause bloody diarrhea and the hemolytic uremic syndrome (anemia and kidney failure).
• Enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) produces a toxin that acts on the intestinal lining, and is the most common cause of travelers diarrhea.
• Enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) can causes diarrhea outbreaks in newborn nurseries.
• Enteroaggregative E. coli (EAggEC) can cause acute and chronic (long lasting) diarrhea in children.

In whom does EIEC cause disease?

Although EIEC can cause disease in people of any age around the world, it severely strikes the very young and old and is most common in the developing world.

What does it take to be infected?

Studies indicate that a relatively large dose (100 million to 10 billion bacteria) is probably necessary to establish a colony of these bacteria in an adult. Infants may require fewer numbers of organisms for infection to be established.

Suggested Reading by Our Doctors

• sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim, Bactrim, Septra - Read bout Sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim; cotrimoxazole (Bactrim, Septra), a drug prescribed for UTIs, ear infections, pneumonia and other infections. Side effects, drug interactions, dosage, and pregnancy information is included.
• Diarrhea - Read the causes of diarrhea including infections, parasites, food poisoning, medications, IBS, IBD, cancer, endocrine disease, fat malabsorption, laxative abuse and more.
• Colitis - Learn about the types of colitis, an inflammation of the inner lining of the colon causing rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, abdominal spasm.

Read more Enteroinvasive E. Coli related articles »

Latest Medical News

• Study Eases Arthritis Drug Cancer Fears
• Kids Shed H1N1 Virus 6 Days After Fever
• Statin Drugs May Reduce Flu Deaths
• 140 Times More Early Swine Flu Than Reported