Which statement best lists the E. coli pathotypes relevant to the gastrointestinal tract?

Which statement best lists the E. coli pathotypes relevant to the gastrointestinal tract?

• A. Enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC), edema disease strains (STEC) including enterohemorrhagic (EHEC), enterotoxigenic (ETEC), enteroaggregative (EAEC), and enteroinvasive (EIEC)
• B. EHEC only
• C. ETEC
• D. EAEC

Answer: (A)

The question tests recognizing all the E. coli types that cause disease in the gut. The major GI-relevant pathotypes are enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC), Shiga toxin–producing E. coli (STEC) including the enterohemorrhagic form (EHEC), enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC), enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC), and enteroinvasive E. coli (EIEC). Together these cover infantile diarrhea (EPEC), traveler's diarrhea (ETEC), hemorrhagic colitis and potential HUS (EHEC/STEC), persistent diarrhea with biofilms (EAEC), and dysentery-like illness (EIEC). The option that lists all of these GI-relevant pathotypes is the most complete and accurate. The other choices each name only one pathotype, which misses the broader range of organisms that can cause GI disease.

The question tests recognizing all the E. coli types that cause disease in the gut. The major GI-relevant pathotypes are enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC), Shiga toxin–producing E. coli (STEC) including the enterohemorrhagic form (EHEC), enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC), enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC), and enteroinvasive E. coli (EIEC). Together these cover infantile diarrhea (EPEC), traveler's diarrhea (ETEC), hemorrhagic colitis and potential HUS (EHEC/STEC), persistent diarrhea with biofilms (EAEC), and dysentery-like illness (EIEC). The option that lists all of these GI-relevant pathotypes is the most complete and accurate. The other choices each name only one pathotype, which misses the broader range of organisms that can cause GI disease.