Title
Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli infection in children
Date Issued
01 October 2011
Access level
open access
Resource Type
review
Abstract
Purpose of Review: Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) is an important diarrheal pathogen of young children. As the diagnosis of EPEC is now based mainly on molecular criteria, there has been an important change in its prevalence. The purpose of this study is to review the current epidemiology of EPEC infection and the new insights into its physiopathology. Recent Findings: Recent epidemiological studies indicate that atypical EPEC (aEPEC) is more prevalent than typical EPEC (tEPEC) in both developed and developing countries, and that aEPEC is important in both pediatric endemic diarrhea and diarrhea outbreaks. Therefore, it is important to further characterize the pathogenicity of these emerging strains. The virulence mechanisms and physiopathology of the attaching and effacing lesion (A/E) and the type three secretion-system (T3SS) are complex but well studied. A/E strains use their pool of locus of enterocyte effacement (LEE)-encoded and non-LEE-encoded effector proteins to subvert and modulate cellular and barrier properties of the host. However, the exact mechanisms of diarrhea in EPEC infection are not completely understood. Summary: Remarkable progress has been made to identify virulence determinants required to mediate the pathogenesis of EPEC. However, fast, easy, and inexpensive diagnostic methods are needed in order to define optimal treatment and prevention for children in endemic areas. © 2011 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Start page
478
End page
483
Volume
24
Issue
5
Language
English
OCDE Knowledge area
Biología celular, Microbiología Ciencias médicas, Ciencias de la salud
Scopus EID
2-s2.0-80052505891
PubMed ID
Source
Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases
ISSN of the container
14736527
Sponsor(s)
Fogarty International Center - K01TW007405
Sources of information: Directorio de Producción Científica Scopus