Bacterial infections of the small intestine and colon

Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli, Vibrio cholerae O1, Campylobacter jejuni, Salmonella species, and Shigella species are major causes of morbidity and death in diarrheal disease. More recently recognized pathogens are V. chol erae O139 and enterohemorrhagic E. coli. In addition to this, several presu mptive virulence factors have been identified in diarrheagenic E. coli and in other species. To confirm these as virulence factors we need good diagno stic tools and good epidemiological studies. These are of vital importance to create vaccines for diarrheal diseases.