Enteroinvasive Escherichia coli infection

Definition

Escherichia coli infection caused by Enteroinvasive E coli (EIEC) strains which share virulence determinants with Shigella spp. The EIEC organisms invade the epithelial cells of the intestine, resulting in a mild form of dysentery, 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.

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