Enteropathogenic E-coli interactions with host cells

Enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) interacts with intestinal epithelial cells, causing diarrhea and associated diseases. This pathogen binds to epithelia l cells using sophisticated mechanisms that exploit existing epithelial sig nal transduction pathways and host cytoskeletal components, ultimately resu lting in the bacterium resting upon a pedestal on host cell surfaces. Recen t data indicates that similar mechanisms occur in vivo. EPEC interactions w ith host cells illustrate several principles of pathogenesis that are used by bacteria that interact with mammalian host cells.