Definition: Strains of ESCHERICHIA COLI characterized by attaching-and-effacing histopathology. These strains of bacteria intimately adhere to the epithelial cell membrane and show effacement of microvilli. In developed countries they are associated with INFANTILE DIARRHEA and infantile GASTROENTERITIS and, in contrast to ETEC strains, do not produce ENDOTOXINS.
infection: coordinate IM with ESCHERICHIA COLI INFECTIONS (IM)
Other names Enteropathogenic E. coli; Escherichia coli, Enteropathogenic; EPEC; E coli, Enteropathogenic