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 many are Probiotic, beneficial but others can cause infectious diseases. The nu ...
whose infection causes a syndrome that is identical to
shigellosis
Shigellosis, known historically as dysentery, 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 ...
, 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, facultatively anaerobic, non–spore-forming, nonmotile, rod shaped, and is genetically nested within ''Escherichia''. The genus is named after Kiyoshi Shiga, who discovered it in 1 ...
'', 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 a 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 Tiss ...
synthesis, of ''
ompT'', 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 Chemical substance, 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 (biology and chem ...
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 and ...
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
shigellosis
Shigellosis, known historically as dysentery, 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 ...
may be because both strains of bacteria share some virulent factors. The invasion of the cells can trigger a mild form of
diarrhea
Diarrhea (American English), also spelled diarrhoea or diarrhœa (British English), is the condition of having at least three loose, liquid, or watery bowel movements in a day. It often lasts for a few days and can result in dehydration d ...
or
dysentery
Dysentery ( , ), 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 may include dehyd ...
, 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
Inflammation (from ) is part of the biological response of body tissues to harmful stimuli, such as pathogens, damaged cells, or irritants. The five cardinal signs are heat, pain, redness, swelling, and ...
.
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
In medicine, malaise is a feeling of general discomfort, uneasiness or lack of wellbeing and often the first sign of an infection or other disease. It is considered a vague termdescribing the state of simply not feeling well. The word has exist ...
. 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 (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.
# 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.
See also
*
Sereny test
References
External links
{{authority control
Bacterial diseases
Escherichia coli
Infraspecific bacteria taxa