Enteroinvasive ''Escherichia coli'' (EIEC) is a type of

pathogenic bacteria Pathogenic bacteria are bacteria that can cause disease. This article focuses on the bacteria that are pathogenic to humans. Most species of bacteria are harmless and are often Probiotic, beneficial but others can cause infectious diseases. The n ...

whose infection causes a syndrome that is identical to

shigellosis Shigellosis is an infection of the intestines caused by ''Shigella'' bacteria. Symptoms generally start one to two days after exposure and include diarrhea, fever, abdominal pain, and feeling the need to pass stools even when the bowels are emp ...

, with profuse diarrhea and high fever. EIEC are highly invasive, and they use adhesin proteins to bind to and enter intestinal cells. They produce no toxins, but severely damage the intestinal wall through mechanical cell destruction. EIEC are closely related to ''

Shigella ''Shigella'' is a genus of bacteria that is Gram-negative, facultative anaerobic, non-spore-forming, nonmotile, rod-shaped, and genetically closely related to ''E. coli''. The genus is named after Kiyoshi Shiga, who first discovered it in 1897. ...

'', like all ''E. coli'' are. Their similarity in disease phenotype come from a homologous large virulence plasmid pINV. They also have in common in their loss of

cadaverine Cadaverine is an organic compound with the formula (CH2)5(NH2)2. Classified as diamine, it is a colorless liquid with an unpleasant odor. It is present in small quantities in living organisms but is often associated with the putrefaction of anim ...

synthesis, of ''

ompT OmpT is an aspartyl protease found on the outer membrane of ''Escherichia coli''. OmpT is a subtype of the family of omptin proteases, which are found on some gram-negative species of bacteria. Structure OmpT is a 33.5 kDa outer membrane protei ...

'', and of curli formation. These features are probably acquired independently, as the two lost cadaverine synthesis in different ways. Moreover, the "EIEC" does not form a monophyletic group in ''E. coli''. After the ''E. coli'' strain penetrates through the epithelial wall, the

endocytosis Endocytosis is a cellular process in which substances are brought into the cell. The material to be internalized is surrounded by an area of cell membrane, which then buds off inside the cell to form a vesicle containing the ingested material. E ...

vacuole gets lysed, the strain multiplies using the host cell machinery, and extends to the adjacent epithelial cell. In addition, the

plasmid A plasmid is a small, extrachromosomal DNA molecule within a cell that is physically separated from chromosomal DNA and can replicate independently. They are most commonly found as small circular, double-stranded DNA molecules in bacteria; how ...

of the strain carries genes for a type III secretion system that is used as the virulent factor. Although it is an invasive disease, the invasion usually does not pass the submucosal layer. The similar pathology to

may be because both strains of bacteria share some virulent factors. The invasion of the cells can trigger a mild form of

diarrhea Diarrhea, also spelled diarrhoea, is the condition of having at least three loose, liquid, or watery bowel movements each day. It often lasts for a few days and can result in dehydration due to fluid loss. Signs of dehydration often begin wi ...

dysentery Dysentery (UK pronunciation: , US: ), historically known as the bloody flux, is a type of gastroenteritis that results in bloody diarrhea. Other symptoms may include fever, abdominal pain, and a feeling of incomplete defecation. Complications ...

, often mistaken for dysentery caused by ''Shigella'' species. The illness is characterized by the appearance of blood and mucus in the stools of infected individuals or a condition called

colitis Colitis is swelling or inflammation of the large intestine ( colon). Colitis may be acute and self-limited or long-term. It broadly fits into the category of digestive diseases. In a medical context, the label ''colitis'' (without qualification) ...

. Dysentery caused by EIEC usually occurs within 12 to 72 hours following the ingestion of contaminated food. The illness is characterized by abdominal cramps, diarrhea, vomiting, fever, chills, and a generalized

malaise As a medical term, malaise is a feeling of general discomfort, uneasiness or lack of wellbeing and often the first sign of an infection or other disease. The word has existed in French since at least the 12th century. The term is often used ...

. Dysentery caused by this organism is generally self-limiting with no known complications. It is currently unknown what foods may harbor EIEC, but any food contaminated with human feces from an ill individual, either directly or via contaminated water, could cause disease in others. Outbreaks have been associated with hamburger meat and unpasteurized milk.''Escherichia coli'', enteroinvasive Material Data Safety Sheets Enterovirulent classes of ''E. coli'' are referred to as the EEC group (enterovirulent ''E. coli''): # Enteroinvasive ''E. coli'' (EIEC) invades (passes into) the intestinal wall to produce severe diarrhea. # Enterohemorrhagic ''E. coli'' (EHEC): A type of EHEC, ''E. coli'' O157:H7, can cause bloody diarrhea and

hemolytic uremic syndrome Hemolysis or haemolysis (), also known by several other names, is the rupturing ( lysis) of red blood cells (erythrocytes) and the release of their contents (cytoplasm) into surrounding fluid (e.g. blood plasma). Hemolysis may occur in vivo ...

(anemia and kidney failure). # Enterotoxigenic ''E. coli'' (ETEC) produces a toxin that acts on the intestinal lining, and is the most common cause of

traveler's diarrhea Travelers' diarrhea (TD) is a stomach and intestinal infection. TD is defined as the passage of unformed stool (one or more by some definitions, three or more by others) while traveling. It may be accompanied by abdominal cramps, nausea, fever, ...

. # Enteropathogenic ''E. coli'' (EPEC) can cause diarrhea outbreaks in newborn nurseries. # Enteroaggregative ''E. coli'' (EAggEC) can cause acute and chronic (long-lasting) diarrhea in children.

References

External links

{{Gram-negative proteobacterial diseases Bacterial diseases Escherichia coli

See also

References

External links