Microbes and microbial toxins: paradigms for microbial-mucosal interactions. VII. Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli: physiological alterations from an extracellular position

Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) is primarily associated with infantile diarrhea in developing countries. This intriguing pathogen exerts numerous physiological effects on its host target tissue, the intestinal epithelium, all from an extracellular location. Expression of a type III secretor...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	American journal of physiology: Gastrointestinal and liver physiology Vol. 281; no. 1; p. G1
Main Author:	Hecht, G
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	United States 01-07-2001
Subjects:	Diarrhea - metabolism Diarrhea - microbiology Endotoxins - metabolism Escherichia coli - pathogenicity Escherichia coli Infections - metabolism Humans Intestinal Mucosa - microbiology Virulence
Online Access:	Get more information
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Summary:	Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) is primarily associated with infantile diarrhea in developing countries. This intriguing pathogen exerts numerous physiological effects on its host target tissue, the intestinal epithelium, all from an extracellular location. Expression of a type III secretory apparatus allows this organism to transfer bacterial effector molecules directly into host cells. As a result of EPEC attachment to and/or translocation of proteins into intestinal epithelial cells, many signaling cascades are activated. Ultimately, host functions are perturbed, including alteration of ion transport, disruption of the tight junction barrier, and activation of the inflammatory response.
ISSN:	0193-1857
DOI:	10.1152/ajpgi.2001.281.1.g1