Gram-negative facultative anaerobic rods

Enteropathogenic (dyspepsia) E. coli (EPEC)
• Causes disease primarily in children less than 1 year
old
• Capable of adhering to the epithelial cells of the
small intestine by its pathogenicity factor: „intimine”
• Symptoms: can be serious or mild
• Pathogenicity is related to certain O serotypes
• Earlier caused outbreaks in day care centres fro
young children
• Therapy: fluid replacement
when symptoms are serious antibiotics