Shiga-like cytotoxin production by enteropathogenic Escherichia coli serogroups.
The mechanism by which enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) cause disease remains to be defined. We studied EPEC and non-EPEC strains of E. coli from stool specimens obtained from infants and adults for production of Shiga-like cytotoxin. Although it was common for healthy infants and adults to have cytotoxin-producing E. coli as part of the fecal flora, Shiga-like cytotoxin was detected more commonly and in greater amounts among EPEC than among other fecal E. coli. These results suggest a role for Shiga-like cytotoxin in the pathogenesis of EPEC-related gastroenteritis.
D000328:Adult; D001427:Bacterial Toxins / Q000633:toxicity; D003603:Cytotoxins / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000633:toxicity; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology; D006367:HeLa Cells / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D022603:Shiga Toxins; D012762:Shigella dysenteriae; D013045:Species Specificity
D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D003603:Cytotoxins; D022603:Shiga Toxins