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| Definition: | E. coli enteritis is an inflammation of the small intestine caused by Escherichia coli bacteria.
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| Alternative Names: | Traveler's diarrhea - E. coli; Food poisoning - E. coli; E. coli diarrhea; Hamburger disease
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| Causes, incidence, and risk factors: | E. coli enteritis is a type of bacterial gastroenteritis. The symptoms are a result of toxins or bacterial invasion into the intestine. The incubation period is 24 to 72 hours. In adults, the infection is usually not severe, but in children and infants, the infection frequently requires hospitalization, and in some cases is life-threatening.
Certain types of E. coli infection are associated with hemolytic uremic syndrome, a disease characterized by destruction of the red blood cells, drastic decrease in the platelets, and acute kidney failure.
Risk factors include recent family illness with E. coli, recent family illness with gastroenteritis symptoms, recent travel to an area with unsanitary food services, or drinking untreated or contaminated water.
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Review Date: 2/20/2002
Reviewed By: Camille Kotton, M.D., Infectious Diseases Division, Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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