EHEC

EHEC is an abbreviation for a subgenus of the bacterial species Escherichia coli (E. coli for short) which occurs naturally in the intestine. EHEC stands for enterohaemorrhagic E. coli. These bacteria are pathogens that usually cause bloody diarrhea (hence the name haemorrhagic).

Characteristically, the EHEC bacteria produce a specific intestinal toxin: the so-called shiga-like toxin. If it releases this toxic substance, diarrhoea with watery-bloody stool occurs. In principle, the E. coli infection can be treated with antibiotics, but in the case of EHEC infection this initially leads to a worsening of the symptoms.

Although the antibiotic kills the bacteria, it also releases a large amount of shiga-like toxin from the dead bacterial cells, which can make the diarrhea much worse. A complication of diarrhea with EHEC is HUS (hemolytic-uremic syndrome). The intestinal toxin enters the bloodstream and then damages the kidney cells, so that affected persons additionally deposit bloody urine.

Characteristically, the EHEC bacteria produce a specific intestinal toxin: the so-called Shiga-like toxin. If it releases this toxic substance, diarrhea with watery-bloody stool occurs. In principle, the E. coli infection can be treated with antibiotics, but in the case of EHEC infection this initially leads to a worsening of the symptoms.

EPEC

EPEC is also a name for a subspecies of E. coli bacteria. The abbreviation stands for enteropathogenic Escherichia coli. Although many E. coli bacteria are present in our intestines in a healthy state, an infection with EPEC can lead to diarrheal diseases. This is usually accompanied by several liquid bowel movements, abdominal pain and possibly nausea and vomiting.