E. coli can be classified by their characteristic virulence propeies and different mechanisms that cause disease. To which group does the verotoxin producing E. coli 0157:H7 serotype belong?: (A) Enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC), (B) Enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC), (C) Enteroinvasive E. coli (EIEC), (D) Enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC)
Answer is B. E. coli 0157:H7 serotype belongs to EHEC. EHEC Highly virulent serotype. Has low infectious dose (10-100 bacilli). Produce a verotoxin similar to Shiga toxin. Causes hemorrhagic colitis, HUS. Principal cause of acute kidney failure in children.