Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli

Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (often referred to as EAEC) is a pathotype of Escherichia coli often associated with diarrhoeal illness. The defining characteristic of EAEC compared to other pathotypes of E. coli is a "stacked brick" pattern of adhesion to the human epithelial cell line HEp-2. The pathogenesis of EAEC involves the bacteria aggregating and colonizing the intestinal mucosa, releasing enterotoxins and cytotoxins that damage host cells and inducing inflammation - resulting in diarrhoea and other gastrointestinal symptoms.