Typical and Atypical Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli

Typical and atypical enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) strains differ in several characteristics. Typical EPEC, a leading cause of infantile diarrhea in developing countries, is rare in industrialized countries, where atypical EPEC seems to be a more important cause of diarrhea. For typical EPEC, the only reservoir is humans; for atypical EPEC, both animals and humans can be reservoirs. Typical and atypical EPEC also differ in genetic characteristics, serotypes, and virulence properties. Atypical EPEC is more closely related to Shiga toxin–producing E. coli (STEC), and like STEC these strains appear to be emerging pathogens.

• FD
  Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

  Awards: 92/04890-2, 00/05256-3
• CN
  Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico
• FD
  Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos
• UD
  Universidade de São Paulo