E coli enteritis
Alternative names:
traveler's diarrhea
Definition:
An inflammation of the small intestine caused by Escherichia
coli bacteria.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors:
E. coli enteritis is a type of bacterial enteritis
or bacterial gastroenteritis.
Endotoxins produced by the bacteria are responsible for the
symptoms. The incubation period is 24 to 72 hours. In adults,
the infection is usually not severe, but in children and infants,
the infection frequently requires hospitalization, and in
some cases is life threatening.
Certain types of E coli infection (usually caused by the Escherichia
coli 0157:H7) are associated with hemolytic
uremic syndrome, an acute
disease characterized by distruction of the red blood cells,
drastic decrease in the platelets,
and sudden acute kidney failure.
Risk factors include recent family illness with E. coli, recent
family illness with gastroenteritis
symptoms, recent travel to an area endemic
for E. coli, or exposure to untreated or contaminated water.
The incidence is 3 out
of 10,000 people.
Updated Date: 02/09/00
Updated By:J. Gordon Lambert, MD, Associate Medical Director,
Utah Health Informatics and adam.com
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