What is an EPEC?
EPEC stands for enteropathogenic Escherichia coli. Escherichia coli is a group of bacteria that is divided into different subgroups, including EPEC and EHEC (enterohaemorrhagic E. coli). EPEC is a special strain of the bacterium Escherichia coli.
Escherichia Coli bacteria can also be found in the intestines of healthy people. There, they are part of the healthy intestinal flora and are not of further concern. EPEC, on the other hand, are bacteria that are able to cause diseases in humans. EPEC bacteria cause infectious gastrointestinal infections, especially in infants and small children, less frequently in adults. Today, EPEC infections occur mainly in developing countries with low hygiene standards; in Europe they have become rarer.
Causes of infection
The human intestine contains numerous E. coli bacteria, they are part of the normal intestinal flora and are not pathogenic. However, certain subtypes of E. coli, such as EPEC, can cause intestinal infections. Infection with EPEC pathogens can occur via various pathways.
For example, from person to person through faecal-oral transmission in the absence of proper hygiene measures.
- A person infected with EPEC pathogens excretes them via the stool. If hygiene is poor, the pathogens can then be transmitted to other people.
- Other routes of infection are human-contaminated food such as fruit and vegetables, but also contaminated drinking water.
- Animals can also be infected with EPEC, so meat, fish and dairy products from infected animals are also considered a source of infection.
Symptoms of EPEC infection
An infection with EPEC bacteria is similar to a typical diarrhoea disease. The incubation period is about one week. But symptoms are also possible after a few days.
Also asymptomatic courses are possible. In this case no symptoms are noticed. Nevertheless, pathogens are possibly excreted, so that asymptomatically infected persons can continue to infect other persons.
- The most important symptom of an infection with EPEC bacteria is watery diarrhea. This diarrhoea can be very serious.
- Blood may also be added. This usually only occurs in the course of the disease after the intestinal wall has been damaged.
- Other complaints such as stomach aches, cramps or vomiting are also possible.
- Mixed infections with other pathogens of diarrheal diseases are also possible. This can make an exact diagnosis difficult.
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