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E. coli enteritis - Overview

Alternative Names

Traveler's diarrhea - E. coli; Food poisoning - E. coli; E. coli diarrhea; Hamburger disease

Definition of E. coli enteritis:

E. coli enteritis is inflammation of the small intestine from Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria. It is the most common cause of travelers' diarrhea.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

E. coli enteritis is a type of bacterial gastroenteritis.

Certain types of E. coli infection occur with hemolytic uremic syndrome.

Risk factors include:

Drinking untreated or contaminated water
Eating unsanitary food
Recent family illness with E. coli
Recent family illness with vomiting or diarrhea
Travel to places that have unclean drinking water

Digestive system

Digestive system organs

Reviewed last on: 3/5/2009
David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and George F. Longstreth, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program, San Diego, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Guerrant RL. Escherichia enteric infections. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap. 327.

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