Final answer:
Enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) is a bacterium causing severe diarrhea and dehydration, especially in infants and those in less developed countries. EPEC's virulence is marked by its unique mechanism of injecting Tir protein into host cells and using Intimin for secure adhesion, both essential for pedestal formation. Diagnosis is by culturing and PCR, with supportive care being the primary treatment approach.
Step-by-step explanation:
Enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) is a type of bacterium that can cause severe diarrhea, specifically in infants and individuals living in less developed regions. The illness may be accompanied by fever, and vomiting, and can lead to severe dehydration due to the diarrhea. EPEC has a unique mechanism where it injects a protein, named Tir, into intestinal epithelial cells. Tir binds to these cells and causes a rearrangement of the host's actin, forming structures known as pedestals. This is instrumental in how EPEC anchors itself to the intestinal lining. Concurrently, EPEC produces a protein called Intimin, which binds to Tir, fully establishing the connection with the epithelial cells and disrupting normal cell function. The genes essential for this process are located within the locus of enterocyte effacement (LEE), a pathogenicity island in EPEC's DNA.
Diagnosing EPEC involves methods such as culturing and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing. As with Enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC), treatment for EPEC infections typically involves supportive care rather than antibiotics, which are similar to treatment methods for ETEC.