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[Enteroinvasive Escherichia coli. Pathogenesis and epidemiology]
1Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Unitat docent de Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona.
Microbiologia (Madrid, Spain)
|March 1, 1995
Summary
Enteroinvasive Escherichia coli (EIEC) causes bacillary dysentery through epithelial invasion, similar to Shigella. EIEC strains exhibit unique biochemical traits and are linked to contaminated sources, with low incidence in Spain.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Enteroinvasive Escherichia coli (EIEC) is an intestinal pathogen.
- EIEC shares pathogenic mechanisms with Shigella, causing epithelial invasion, inflammation, and ulceration of the large bowel mucosa.
- Patients infected with EIEC often present with symptoms of bacillary dysentery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the characteristics of Enteroinvasive Escherichia coli (EIEC).
- To highlight the pathogenic mechanisms and clinical manifestations of EIEC infections.
- To report on the geographical distribution and incidence of EIEC.
Main Methods:
- Biochemical characterization of EIEC strains.
- Analysis of EIEC virulence factors, including plasmid-mediated invasiveness.
- Epidemiological data collection on EIEC isolation and outbreaks.
Main Results:
- EIEC strains show atypical biochemical reactions (late/non-lactose fermentation, lysine decarboxylase negative, non-motile).
- Invasiveness is mediated by a 140 MDa plasmid encoding outer membrane proteins.
- EIEC is found in South America, the Far East, and Eastern Europe, with low incidence (0.2%) in Spain, where serogroup O124 is common.
Conclusions:
- EIEC is an important cause of bacterial dysentery with distinct characteristics.
- The 140 MDa plasmid plays a crucial role in EIEC pathogenesis.
- EIEC infections are associated with contaminated food/water and person-to-person transmission, with notable geographical variations in incidence.