Enteroinvasive E. Coli (cont.)
What does EIEC do after entering the bowels?
EIEC adheres to the intestinal wall and invades it. By
invading the intestinal wall, EIEC kills cells lining the
intestines. This triggers an inflammatory response in the
colon ( colitis) with ulcers there, swelling of the
intestinal wall, bleeding from it, etc.
How long is the incubation period?
The disease can appear within 24 hours of infection with
EIEC.
What are the main features of EIEC disease?
The most frequent signs and symptoms of EIEC infection
are fever, toxicity (feeling very ill, as if one has been
poisoned), abdominal cramps, rectal urgency and tenesmus
(straining at the stool), and watery or bloody diarrhea.
How is the laboratory diagnosis made?
During the early (acute) phase of infection, large
numbers of EIEC are excreted in the feces. Contaminated
feces samples can be examined in the laboratory for
diagnosis. These EIEC strains of E. coli can be
distinguished from the many other E. coli in the feces by a
number of special tests (including immunochemical, tissue
culture, and gene probe tests). The lab diagnosis of EIEC
takes about 3 days.
Is food associated with EIEC?
The answer is "yes." Although EIEC is not usually
considered a serious foodborne disease hazard in countries
with high sanitary standards and practices, contamination
of water with human sewage or careless food handling can
contaminate foods.
How about food handlers?
Infected food handlers can contaminate foods.
How is diarrhea due to EIEC treated?
The greatest concern in treating EIEC disease is to
replace the fluids and electrolytes (sodium, potassium,
etc.) lost in the diarrhea. This can be done by intravenous
(IV) therapy or by mouth using for example the rehydrating
solutions that are designed to replace electrolytes.
Infants with EIEC should be put back on the breast or
given dilute formula as soon as possible after they have
been rehydrated.
Antibiotic therapy with agents such as TMP-SMX
(trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole) helps to eradicate
susceptible strains of EIEC (that are not resistant) from
the intestines.
Next: How can EIEC disease be prevented? »
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