Diarrhea due to E. coli

Diarrhea due to *Escherichia coli* is an acute gastrointestinal infection caused by pathogenic strains of the bacterium *E. coli*, primarily transmitted via the ingestion of contaminated food or water Clinically, it manifests with sudden watery or bloody stools, abdominal cramping, nausea, vomiting, and low-grade fever

Diarrhea due to *Escherichia coli* is an acute gastrointestinal infection caused by pathogenic strains of the bacterium *E. coli*, primarily transmitted via the ingestion of contaminated food or water The condition affects the digestive tract across all age groups, though infants, older adults, and international travelers face heightened vulnerability to severe illness or dehydration

The condition affects the digestive tract across all age groups, though infants, older adults, and international travelers face heightened vulnerability to severe illness or dehydration Pathophysiologic features vary by pathotype: enterotoxigenic strains stimulate massive intestinal fluid and electrolyte secretion leading to profuse watery diarrhea, while enteroinvasive or Shiga toxin-producing strains cause mucosal invasion, cytotoxin-mediated epithelial damage, and hemorrhagic colitis

Pathophysiologic features vary by pathotype: enterotoxigenic strains stimulate massive intestinal fluid and electrolyte secretion leading to profuse watery diarrhea, while enteroinvasive or Shiga toxin-producing strains cause mucosal invasion, cytotoxin-mediated epithelial damage, and hemorrhagic colitis

Clinically, it manifests with sudden watery or bloody stools, abdominal cramping, nausea, vomiting, and low-grade fever