Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli: Difference between revisions

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{{DISPLAYTITLE:Enteroaggregative ''Escherichia coli''}}
{{SI}} {{Infobox medical condition
{{Short description|Pathogenic type of ''Escherichia coli''}}
| name                    = Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli
{{Infobox bacteria
| image                  = [[File:EAEC_Prager_etal.jpg|250px]]
| color = lightgrey
| caption                = Micrograph of Enteroaggregative ''Escherichia coli'' (EAEC)
| name = Enteroaggregative ''Escherichia coli''
| field                  = [[Infectious disease]]
| image =  
| synonyms                = EAEC
| image_caption =  
| symptoms                = [[Diarrhea]], [[abdominal pain]], [[nausea]], [[vomiting]]
| domain = [[Bacteria]]
| complications          = [[Dehydration]], [[malnutrition]]
| phylum = [[Pseudomonadota]]
| onset                  = 1-3 days after exposure
| classis = [[Gammaproteobacteria]]
| duration                = 3-10 days
| ordo = [[Enterobacterales]]
| causes                  = [[Escherichia coli]] infection
| familia = [[Enterobacteriaceae]]
| risks                  = Poor sanitation, contaminated food or water
| genus = ''[[Escherichia]]''
| diagnosis              = [[Stool culture]], [[PCR]] testing
| species = '''''Escherichia coli'''''
| differential            = [[Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli]], [[Shigella]], [[Salmonella]]
| subspecies = EAEC
| prevention              = Proper sanitation, safe food handling
| binomial = ''Escherichia coli'' (Enteroaggregative)
| treatment              = [[Rehydration therapy]], [[antibiotics]] in severe cases
| medication              = [[Ciprofloxacin]], [[Azithromycin]]
| prognosis              = Generally good with treatment
| frequency              = Common in developing countries
| deaths                  = Rare
}}
}}
[[File:EAEC Prager etal.jpg|thumb|Enteroaggregative E. coli strain EAEC 042 aggregates during infection of Hep-2 cells.]]
'''Enteroaggregative ''Escherichia coli''''' ('''EAEC''' or '''EAggEC''') is a distinct [[pathotype]] of the bacterium ''[[Escherichia coli]]'' (''E. coli'') that is associated with both acute and chronic [[diarrhea]] in individuals from both the [[developed world|developed]] and [[developing world]]. EAEC is recognized for its characteristic adherence pattern and the damage it causes to the intestinal mucosa.
'''Enteroaggregative ''Escherichia coli''''' ('''EAEC''' or '''EAggEC''') is a distinct [[pathotype]] of the bacterium ''[[Escherichia coli]]'' (''E. coli'') that is associated with both acute and chronic [[diarrhea]] in individuals from both the [[developed world|developed]] and [[developing world]]. EAEC is recognized for its characteristic adherence pattern and the damage it causes to the intestinal mucosa.
== Characteristics ==
== Characteristics ==
EAEC is defined by its unique ''stacked-brick'' pattern of adhesion to [[HEp-2 cells]], which are derived from a human laryngeal epithelial carcinoma cell line. This pattern is observed in vitro and is used as a diagnostic criterion for identifying this pathotype.
EAEC is defined by its unique ''stacked-brick'' pattern of adhesion to [[HEp-2 cells]], which are derived from a human laryngeal epithelial carcinoma cell line. This pattern is observed in vitro and is used as a diagnostic criterion for identifying this pathotype.
== Pathogenesis ==
== Pathogenesis ==
The disease process of EAEC involves:
The disease process of EAEC involves:
* Adherence to the [[intestinal mucosa]] using aggregative [[fimbriae]].
* Adherence to the [[intestinal mucosa]] using aggregative [[fimbriae]].
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* Production of [[enterotoxins]] and [[cytotoxins]] that disrupt the [[intestinal epithelium]].
* Production of [[enterotoxins]] and [[cytotoxins]] that disrupt the [[intestinal epithelium]].
* Induction of an [[inflammatory response]], leading to mucosal damage and diarrhea.
* Induction of an [[inflammatory response]], leading to mucosal damage and diarrhea.
== Clinical Significance ==
== Clinical Significance ==
EAEC has been implicated in a wide range of diarrheal illnesses, including:
EAEC has been implicated in a wide range of diarrheal illnesses, including:
* Persistent diarrhea in children
* Persistent diarrhea in children
* Traveler’s diarrhea
* Traveler’s diarrhea
* Diarrhea in immunocompromised individuals, such as patients with [[HIV/AIDS]]
* Diarrhea in immunocompromised individuals, such as patients with [[HIV/AIDS]]
It is also a known contributor to [[malnutrition]] in young children due to chronic gastrointestinal inflammation and nutrient loss.
It is also a known contributor to [[malnutrition]] in young children due to chronic gastrointestinal inflammation and nutrient loss.
== Diagnosis ==
== Diagnosis ==
Diagnosis of EAEC may involve:
Diagnosis of EAEC may involve:
* Stool culture followed by adherence assays using HEp-2 or HeLa cells.
* Stool culture followed by adherence assays using HEp-2 or HeLa cells.
* Molecular methods such as [[polymerase chain reaction]] (PCR) to detect EAEC-specific genes (e.g., ''aggR'', ''aaiC'').
* Molecular methods such as [[polymerase chain reaction]] (PCR) to detect EAEC-specific genes (e.g., ''aggR'', ''aaiC'').
== Treatment ==
== Treatment ==
Management generally includes:
Management generally includes:
* [[Oral rehydration therapy]] to prevent dehydration.
* [[Oral rehydration therapy]] to prevent dehydration.
* In some cases, [[antibiotics]] such as [[ciprofloxacin]] or [[rifaximin]] may be prescribed, particularly in severe or persistent cases, although antibiotic resistance is an emerging concern.
* In some cases, [[antibiotics]] such as [[ciprofloxacin]] or [[rifaximin]] may be prescribed, particularly in severe or persistent cases, although antibiotic resistance is an emerging concern.
== See also ==
== See also ==
* [[Escherichia coli]]
* [[Escherichia coli]]

Latest revision as of 02:08, 6 April 2025

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC

Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli
Synonyms EAEC
Pronounce N/A
Specialty N/A
Symptoms Diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting
Complications Dehydration, malnutrition
Onset 1-3 days after exposure
Duration 3-10 days
Types N/A
Causes Escherichia coli infection
Risks Poor sanitation, contaminated food or water
Diagnosis Stool culture, PCR testing
Differential diagnosis Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli, Shigella, Salmonella
Prevention Proper sanitation, safe food handling
Treatment Rehydration therapy, antibiotics in severe cases
Medication Ciprofloxacin, Azithromycin
Prognosis Generally good with treatment
Frequency Common in developing countries
Deaths Rare


Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC or EAggEC) is a distinct pathotype of the bacterium Escherichia coli (E. coli) that is associated with both acute and chronic diarrhea in individuals from both the developed and developing world. EAEC is recognized for its characteristic adherence pattern and the damage it causes to the intestinal mucosa.

Characteristics[edit]

EAEC is defined by its unique stacked-brick pattern of adhesion to HEp-2 cells, which are derived from a human laryngeal epithelial carcinoma cell line. This pattern is observed in vitro and is used as a diagnostic criterion for identifying this pathotype.

Pathogenesis[edit]

The disease process of EAEC involves:

Clinical Significance[edit]

EAEC has been implicated in a wide range of diarrheal illnesses, including:

  • Persistent diarrhea in children
  • Traveler‚Äôs diarrhea
  • Diarrhea in immunocompromised individuals, such as patients with HIV/AIDS

It is also a known contributor to malnutrition in young children due to chronic gastrointestinal inflammation and nutrient loss.

Diagnosis[edit]

Diagnosis of EAEC may involve:

  • Stool culture followed by adherence assays using HEp-2 or HeLa cells.
  • Molecular methods such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect EAEC-specific genes (e.g., aggR, aaiC).

Treatment[edit]

Management generally includes:

See also[edit]