Colon

Infectious colitis

Escherichia coli


Editorial Board Members: Raul S. Gonzalez, M.D., Naziheh Assarzadegan, M.D.
Deputy Editor-in-Chief: Aaron R. Huber, D.O.
Ateeqa Mujeeb Ullah, M.D.
Lili Lee, M.D.

Last author update: 22 June 2023
Last staff update: 22 June 2023

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PubMed search: Escherichia coli

Ateeqa Mujeeb Ullah, M.D.
Lili Lee, M.D.
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Cite this page: Ullah AM, Lee L. Escherichia coli. PathologyOutlines.com website. https://www.pathologyoutlines.com/topic/colonecoli.html. Accessed March 29th, 2024.
Definition / general
  • Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a gram negative, facultative anaerobic, coliform, rod shaped bacterium
  • It is a part of the normal flora of the intestine of humans and many warm blooded animals; it provides benefits such as production of vitamin K2 and a stable environment where more beneficial bacteria can prosper (Elife 2015;4:e05826)
  • Most cases are transmitted through contaminated food and water
Essential features
  • Most cases cause self limiting disease
  • Treatment is supportive
Terminology
  • Enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC)
  • Shiga toxin producing E. coli (STEC) / enterohemorrhagic E.coli (EHEC)
  • Enteroinvasive E. coli (EIEC)
  • Enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC)
  • Enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC)
  • Diffusely adherent E. coli (DEAC)
  • Adherent invasive E. coli (AIEC)
ICD coding
  • ICD-10:
    • B96.20 - unspecified Escherichia coli (E. coli) as the cause of diseases classified elsewhere, Escherichia coli (E. coli), NOS
    • B96.21 - Shiga toxin producing Escherichia coli (E. coli) (STEC) O157 as the cause of diseases classified elsewhere
    • B96.22 - other specified Shiga toxin producing Escherichia coli (E. coli) (STEC) as the cause of diseases classified elsewhere
    • B96.23 - unspecified Shiga toxin producing Escherichia coli (E. coli) (STEC) as the cause of diseases classified elsewhere
    • B96.29 - other Escherichia coli (E. coli) as the cause of diseases classified elsewhere, non-Shiga toxin producing E. coli
Enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC)
Shiga toxin producing E. coli (STEC) / enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC)
Enteroinvasive E. coli (EIEC)
Enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC)
  • Some types of EPEC are known as diffusely adherent E. coli (DAEC)
  • Major cause of infant diarrhea in developing countries
  • Due to contaminated water and meat products
  • Virulence mechanism is unrelated to excretion of typical E. coli enterotoxins; diarrhea and symptoms are caused by invasion of host cells (attachment and effacement) rather than by production of toxins
  • Has pathogenicity island that encodes proteins which modulate the actin microtubule and intermediate filament networks to allow intimate attachment of bacteria to plasma membrane of infected enterocytes, forming attachment and effacing lesions (J Bacteriol 2006;188:3110)
    • Also has large plasmid that contains a cluster of genes encoding bundle forming pili
  • Infectious dose is 106 organisms
  • Atypical cases lack bundle forming pili and are associated with prolonged diarrhea (Emerg Infect Dis 2006;12:597)
  • Clinical features:
    • Infantile diarrhea may lead to dehydration, electrolyte imbalance or death
    • Watery or bloody diarrhea
    • Up to 50% mortality rates in developing countries
  • Treatment: self limited; antibiotics may not improve disease and may increase the risk of developing hemolytic uremic syndrome
  • Micro description: effacement of brush border microvilli of enterocytes; no bacterial invasion but surface adherent organisms may be identifiable
  • References: Food and Drug Administration: Bad Bug Book - Foodborne Pathogenic Microorganisms and Natural Toxins, 2nd Edition, 2012, Todar: Todar's Online Textbook of Bacteriology, 2020, Microbiology (Reading) 2004;150:527, Emerg Infect Dis 2002;8:508
Enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC)
Diffusely adherent E. coli (DEAC)
  • Extremely heterogeneous group of potentially pathogenic E. coli, which are characterized by their diffuse adherence to epithelial cells
  • DAEC isolates are detected not only in humans commonly in children of between 2 and 5 years of age but also in various groups of animals (dogs, calves, cattle, poultry, pigs)
  • No diarrheal disease has been reported in adults but the latest data indicates a possible contribution of DAEC strains in the process of the development of colorectal cancer and Crohn's disease (CD) (Clin Microbiol Rev 2014;27:823, Advancements of Microbiology 2019;58:143)
  • On the basis of adhesins, DAEC strains have been divided into 2 basic groups: typical DAEC (which binds to the hDAF receptor) and atypical DAEC (which does not bind the hDAF factor)
  • DAEC are omitted in the routine diagnosis of infections of the digestive tract due to the huge genotypic diversity of these strains
  • Optimum method for diagnosis of DEAC is still under active research; the lack of commonly available diagnostic methods hinders the correct identification of infections caused by DAEC and therefore, the possibility of treatment (BMC Microbiol 2013;13:22, Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2020;10:572951)
Adherent invasive E. coli (AIEC)
  • Adherent invasive Escherichia coli (AIEC) pathobiont bacteria have the ability to adhere to and invade intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) as well as to survive and replicate within macrophages
  • AIEC bacteria have been linked in the etiology of CD; however, active genetic research is ongoing in order to better establish this link and develop possible treatment modalities to prevent and limit AIEC colonization in CD patients (Int J Mol Sci 2020;21:3734)
Epidemiology
  • In the U.S., most outbreaks have been reported in Minnesota, followed by Washington
  • Route of transmission is foodborne; mainly by undercooked ground beef in EHEC
 (Emerg Infect Dis 2005;11:603
  • ETEC organisms are the principal cause of traveler's diarrhea and spread via contaminated food or water
  • EIEC / EAEC organisms are bacteriologically similar to Shigella and are transmitted via food, water or by person to person contact
Sites
  • Colon and rectum
Pathophysiology
  • Depends on the strain of pathogenic E. coli
    • Enteroaggregative E. coli
      • EAEC adhere to epithelial cells
      • EAEC attach to enterocytes via adherence fimbriae and are aided by dispersin, a bacterial surface protein that neutralizes the negative surface charge of lipopolysaccharide
      • They also produce enterotoxins similar to Shigella enterotoxin and ETEC ST toxin (Curr Opin Gastroenterol 2005;21:4)
    • Enterohemorrhagic E. coli / Shiga toxin producing E. coli (STEC)
      • EHEC are classified as E. coli O157:H7 and non-O157:H7 serotypes
      • Both serotypes produce Shiga-like toxins
      • Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is caused by Shiga-like toxin which is absorbed by inflamed gastrointestinal mucosa into the circulation, where it alters endothelial cell function leading to platelet activation and aggregation
      • Children and the elderly are at highest risk (Med Clin North Am 2013;97:681)
    • Enteroinvasive E. coli
      • EIEC do not produce toxins, they invade epithelial cells and cause acute self limited colitis (J Vet Sci 2022;23:e28)
    • Enterotoxigenic E. coli
      • ETEC produce LT toxin and ST toxin
      • Both induce chloride and water secretion while inhibiting intestinal fluid absorption
      • LT toxin activates adenylate cyclase and stimulates chloride secretion and simultaneously inhibits absorption
      • ST toxins bind to guanylate cyclase and stimulate chloride secretion (Gut Microbes 2022;14:2055943)
Etiology
  • Contaminated food and water
Clinical features
  • EAEC organisms cause nonbloody diarrhea that may be prolonged in AIDS patients (Am J Trop Med Hyg 2010;83:158)
  • EHEC causes symptoms similar to S. dysenteriae
    • Causes large outbreaks of bloody diarrhea and HUS
    • HUS includes microangiopathic hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia but no neurologic symptoms and no acute renal failure (Med Clin North Am 2013;97:681)
  • EIEC is common among young children in developing countries
  • ETEC causes traveler's diarrhea commonly in underdeveloped regions and children younger than 2 years of age are particularly susceptible
Diagnosis
  • Typically made by clinical findings and history of ingestion of contaminated food like undercooked meat
Laboratory
  • Stool culture on sorbitol MacConkey agar (SMAC) or the variant cefixime potassium tellurite sorbitol MacConkey agar (CT SMAC)
  • Colonies appear clear on SMAC due to their inability to ferment sorbitol, while sorbitol fermenting colonies of E. coli serotypes appear red
  • E. coli DNA extraction method: DNA probes plus PCR techniques for detecting verocytotoxin (MMWR Recomm Rep 2009;58:1, StatPearls: Escherichia Coli [Accessed 1 June 2023])
Radiology description
  • CT is usually preferred modality for radiological assessment (AJR Am J Roentgenol 2001;177:619)
  • Shows severe diffuse colonic wall thickening, often with a target sign and pericolic stranding
  • Involvement of bowel can be segmental or diffuse
Radiology images

Images hosted on other servers:

CT scan:
thickened colon
with target sign

CECT: pancolitis
with thickened colon
and target sign

Prognostic factors
  • Disease is usually self limiting and patients recover on supportive therapy
Case reports
  • 32 year old woman with infection due to Shiga toxin producing enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) presenting as ischemic colitis (IDCases 2019;18:e00629)
  • 36 year old woman with severe ulcerative colitis and Coronavirus disease 2019 followed by Escherichia coli 0157:H7 infection (Croat Med J 2021;62:634)
  • 75 year old man with pseudomembranous colitis-like lesions associated with hemolytic uremic syndrome and neurological sequelae (BMJ Case Rep 2017;2017:bcr2016218586)
Treatment
Clinical images

Contributed by Ateeqa Mujeeb Ullah, M.D.
E. coli colonies E. coli colonies

E. coli colonies

Gross description
  • EHEC: colonic mucosa is edematous and erythematous with multiple erosions
  • Erosion may show adherent blood clots (Virulence 2013;4:366)
Microscopic (histologic) description
  • EAEC, EIEC, ETEC
    • No significant microscopic changes
  • EHEC
    • Foci of epithelial cell damage / necrosis with pyknotic nuclei, vacuolated cytoplasm 

    • Areas of hemorrhage within lamina propria
Microscopic (histologic) images

Contributed by Ateeqa Mujeeb Ullah, M.D.
Acute colitis Acute colitis

Acute colitis

Positive stains
  • E. coli are gram negative bacilli
Electron microscopy description
  • Transmission electron microscopy, in cases of EHEC, shows pyknotic nuclei, damaged membranes and cytoplasmic vacuolization of colonic epithelial cells
Sample pathology report
  • Left colon, colectomy:
    • Colonic mucosa with focal active colitis, surface erosions and focal areas of hemorrhage (see comment)
    • Comment: Focal active colitis pattern is a nonspecific histologic finding that may be seen in association with a variety of conditions. The most common clinical diagnoses rendered upon follow up of patients with a focal active colitis pattern include acute self limited / infectious colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn's disease, ischemic colitis, antibiotic associated colitis, NSAID related colitis, diverticular disease associated colitis, etc.
Differential diagnosis
  • Ischemic colitis:
    • Negative culture for E. coli; no significant history
  • Other infective colitis:
    • Negative culture for E. coli
Board review style question #1
Which E. coli strain has been implicated as a possible precursor to the development of colorectal cancer?

  1. Adherent invasive E. coli (AIEC)
  2. Diffusely adherent E. coli (DEAC)
  3. Enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC)
  4. Enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC)
  5. Shiga toxin producing E. coli (STEC)
Board review style answer #1
B. Diffusely adherent E. coli (DEAC). Diffusely adherent E. coli (DEAC) found in colons of Crohn's disease and colorectal cancer (CRC) patients have been found to harbor the daaC and afaBC genes. The afa1 positive strains isolated from these patients demonstrate adherence and invasion into various epithelial cells and also induce the increased mRNA expression of VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor), which promotes angiogenesis in tumors. Multiple other genes and the proinflammatory effect of DEAC adhesions on intestinal epithelium has also been associated with the development of Crohn's disease and CRC according to multiple studies (Gastroenterology 2004;127:80, Advancements of Microbiology 2019;58:143, World J Gastrointest Pathophysiol 2014;5:213). No other strain of E. coli has been associated with the development of CRC.

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Reference: Escherichia coli
Board review style question #2

A 45 year old woman with chronic kidney disease status post renal transplant presents to the emergency department with vomiting, bloody diarrhea and dehydration. In light of the recent E. coli O157:H7 outbreak, you suspect E. coli colitis. What is the gold standard for diagnosis?

  1. Cefixime potassium tellurite sorbitol MacConkey agar (CT SMAC)
  2. Horse blood agar
  3. Thayer Martin Agar (VPN agar)
  4. Thiosulfate citrate bile salts sucrose agar (TCBS)
Board review style answer #2
A. Cefixime potassium tellurite sorbitol MacConkey agar (CT SMAC). Cefixime potassium tellurite sorbitol MacConkey agar (CT SMAC) is a modified form of MacConkey sorbitol agar (SMAC) that contains selective agents cefixime and tellurite. Cefixime inhibits the growth of other enteric organisms, such as Proteus spp. and potassium tellurite inhibits non-O157 Shiga toxin producing E. coli (STEC). The use of CT SMAC has been associated with increased cultural sensitivity for the isolation of E. coli O157:H7. Therefore, it is recommended by the American Society of Microbiology and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for use as a primary isolation medium for E. coli O157:H7 in community acquired diarrhea (Versalovic: Manual of Clinical Microbiology, 10th Edition, 2011). The mechanism includes the production of pink colonies by E. coli strains other than O157:H7 through the fermentation of D sorbitol, whereas the colonies of CT SMAC are colorless after overnight incubation due to the lack of D sorbitol fermentation (ThermoFisher: MacConkey Sorbitol Agar w/ Cefixime and Tellurite [Accessed 15 March 2023).

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Reference: Escherichia coli
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