What is Enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC)?

Enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC), the most recently added group to the CDC’s list of pathogenic types of E. coli, was first identified as a cause of diarrhea in 1987. EAEC has increased in importance in select settings and is detected with increasing frequency. Despite its increased importance, comparatively little is known about EAEC, a group of organisms characterized by the aggregative pattern in which they adhere to laryngeal epithelial cells. Symptoms of EAEC infection include watery, mucoid diarrhea and low-grade fever, typically accompanied by little or no vomiting. Watery diarrhea may persist for a number of weeks before resolving. Some clinical studies indicate that EAEC causes acute and persistent diarrhea in children living in developing countries; however, other clinical studies have concluded that there is no meaningful or significant link between EAEC and diarrhea. This variation in study results suggests the possibility that certain EAEC strains are simply more virulent than others. Supporting this conclusion is the fact that some EAEC serotypes – O44:H18, for example – are more pathogenic than others. Additionally, EAEC serotypes belong to a wide range and combination of O and H serotypes. EAEC numbers among the many causes of travelers’ diarrhea (TD), and has been associated with the condition at frequencies rivaling those of ETEC. EAEC has also been linked to persistent diarrhea in HIV-positive patients. E. coli strains that adhere to an aggregative pattern have been isolated more frequently from children suffering from acute diarrhea, and have been isolated in such cases both in the developing and the developed world. Further, up to one of every three children infected with EAEC presents with grossly bloody diarrhea (stools in which blood is visible to the naked eye).

What is Enteroinvasive E. coli (EIEC)?

Originally described in Asia, the enteroinvasive E. coli (EIEC) group contains a relatively small number of E. coli serogroups (O28ac, O29, O124, O136, O143, O144, O152, O164, O167, and a few nontypable strains) that all have certain properties closely related to the Shigella bacteria. EIEC infections occur most commonly in the context of an outbreak; an EIEC outbreak caused by imported cheese occurred in the United States in 1971. However, infection is endemic in developing countries and regions where it is possible to frequently isolate this type of bacterium. Transmission occurs via food, water, or person-to-person contact. EIEC strains have been identified worldwide and have caused foodborne outbreaks, particularly in regions of eastern Europe and South America. Illness is characterized by watery diarrhea. Some patients experience a dysenteric syndrome that includes bloody mucoid diarrhea, intestinal cramping, fever, and tenesmus (a feeling of incomplete evacuation after a bowel movement).

What is Enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC)?

Beginning in the 1920s and through the 1940s, severe diarrheal epidemics ravaged neonatal nurseries. These outbreaks, associated with very high rates of mortality, were traced to a single cause: enteropathogenic E. coli(EPEC) strains (Giannella, 2010; Adachi et al., 2007). The first of the diarrhea-causing E. coli strains to be discovered and described, EPEC strains are characterized by a local pattern of adherence to HEp-2 cells (a specialized cell line). EPEC strains may differ substantially, and thus are usually further identified by their serotype. EPEC outbreaks occasionally occur in neonatal wards and daycare centers in the developed world, and are usually linked to one of the approximately 14 EPEC serotypes associated with neonatal diarrhea (including well-known serotypes O55, O111, and O119). The mortality rate seen in such outbreaks has dropped dramatically and such outbreaks occur with much less frequency. Today, infants and children living in developing countries constitute the main concern in the context of EPEC infection. EPEC bacteria are a major cause of both persistent and acute diarrhea in developing countries, mostly in children under the age of two. Persistent diarrhea (diarrhea lasting more than 14 days) is of particular concern in developing countries due to the high risk that potentially lethal malnutrition will result. Symptoms of EPEC infection include profuse non-bloody, watery diarrhea with mucus present. Additionally, infections caused by this class of bacteria may also cause vomiting and low-grade fever. In severe infections, extensive vomiting may occur, making oral rehydration difficult. Such infections present a risk of life-threatening dehydration. Studies have shown that breast milk protects against EPEC infection . Lactoferrin, a globular glycoprotein found in breast milk, degrades the mechanism that EPEC bacteria use to cause illness.

What is Enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC)?

Enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) describes the group of E. coli bacteria that, though production of special toxins, stimulate the intestinal lining and cause secretion of excess fluid; in humans, this excess fluid subsequently causes diarrhea . Researchers in India first discovered these strains of E. coli when, driven by their recent discoveries in studying cholera, they focused on E. coli bacteria as a potential cause of acute toxigenic diarrheal disease. ETEC transmission generally occurs when an individual consumes infected food or beverage. Person-to-person transmission, while possible, occurs rarely because of the high number of ETEC organisms required for infection. Studies indicate that in order to cause illness, somewhere between 106 and 1010 organisms must exist in the individual. ETEC bacteria make people ill through the production of either or both of two types of enterotoxins – heat-labile (LT) and heat-stable (ST) – that cause diarrhea in humans. Both LT and ST ultimately cause diarrhea by making cells excrete chloride and water into the intestines while at the same time inhibiting intestinal fluid absorption, although they do so by activating different cellular mechanisms. Since the 1960s, when the scientific community discovered that ETEC causes diarrhea in humans, the disease has been recognized as a major bacterial cause of diarrhea among children in the developing world and among travelers, with the tropics experiencing the highest incidence of infection. ETEC strains are increasingly recognized by researchers and the medical community as a cause of foodborne illness in developed countries, including the U.S., although the majority of U.S. ETEC outbreaks to date have been waterborne. ETEC bacteria cause more cases of diarrhea in travelers from North America and Northern Europe to developing countries than any other bacteria. The bacteria constitute the most common cause of gastroenteritis outbreaks on cruise ships; such outbreaks most likely result from ship water stored at overseas ports . ETEC affects children at a higher rate than any other population group, and is responsible for between 15 and 50% of all diarrheal episodes in children living in developing countries.

What is Shiga Toxin-Producing E. coli (STEC)?

The most virulent strains of E. coli produce shiga toxins and are called “shiga toxin-producing” E. coli, or STEC. Among diarrhea-causing E. coli, STEC bacteria alone express the gene for Shiga toxins type 1 (Stx1) and 2 (Stx2). Shiga toxins are so named because they are virtually identical to those produced by another well-known bacterium, Shigella dysenteriae; both Shiga toxins and Shigella dysenteriae are named for Japanese microbiologist Kiyoshi Shiga . Due to their cytotoxic effect on the Vero monkey kidney cell line, STEC strains are also sometimes referred to as verocytotoxic or verocytotoxin-producing E. coli ( VTEC ). In reference to the bloody stools that often accompany STEC infection, older literature often called STEC bacterica “enterohemorrhagic E. coli” (EHEC); even today, some continue to use this term. Documented STEC infections have occurred in over 30 countries located across 6 continents (Craig and Zich, 2010). The most commonly identified STEC in North America is E. coli O157:H7 (often shortened to E. coli, O157, or even just “O157”). When you hear news reports about outbreaks of “E. coli” infections, they are usually referring to E. coli O157 . Though E. coli O157 is the predominant strain identified in outbreaks and sporadic cases in the United States and many other locations worldwide, there are a few areas where another E. coli strain is responsible for the largest number of cases. For example, STEC O91 is the serotype most frequently isolated from adult patients in Germany (Hunt, 2010; Bielaszewska et al, 2008). In addition to E. coli O157, many other kinds (called serogroups) of STEC cause hemorrhagic colitis (bloody diarrhea). These other kinds are sometimes called “non-O157 STEC.” E. coli serogroups O26, O111, and O103 are the non-O157 serogroups that most often cause illness in the United States (CDC, June 2011). The non-O157 STEC are not nearly as well understood, partly because current protocols do not test for them. The failure to test for non-O157 STEC is due in large part to the fact that such serotypes are difficult to detect (CDC, May 2010). Additionally, the CDC acknowledges that there is limited public health surveillance data on the occurrence of non-O157 STEC infections (CDC, May 2010). Thus, outbreaks of these non-O157 serogroups are rarely identified. As a whole, the non-O157 serogroups are less likely to cause severe illness than E. coli O157. Some non-O157 STEC serogroups, however, cause the most severe illnesses (CDC, June 2011). These non-O157 serogroups are normally found in the fecal flora of animals including cattle, sheep, chickens, goats, elk, dogs, and cats (CDC, June 2011; Giannella, 2010). Pigs and birds, along with some other kinds of animals, may pick up the STEC bacteria from the environment and spread it, even though this kind of bacteria does not usually reside in their digestive tracts. G enerally, STEC bacteria that make humans sick do not cause illness in animals (CDC, June 2011). STEC organisms are extremely virile: they can survive for weeks on surfaces such as kitchen counters and food preparation surfaces, and over a year within other materials. Unfortunately, a very small amount of E. coli in one’s system can be deadly, and the infectious dose of E. coli has been reported to be approximately 100 bacteria (Hunt, 2010). Such a low infectious dose enables person-to-person transmission of STEC, which leads to secondary cases in which individuals who have physical contact with an infected person become ill (Hunt, 2010).

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How Can an E. coli Lawyer Help?

Get in touch with an E. coli lawyer at Ron Simon & Associates for a free consultation about your legal options and potential compensation. Our experienced E. coli lawyers will thoroughly review your case, determine whether you have a legal claim, and get you the compensation you deserve.

You can reach us at 888-335-4901 or fill out our online form, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

Do I Need an E. coli Attorney?

A foodborne illness, such as E. coli poisoning imposes an unexpected financial burden. You must pay medical bills, and you may develop long-term complications that necessitate ongoing care. Filing an E. coli lawsuit can assist you in obtaining the resources you require to focus on your recovery. However, getting such compensation is nearly impossible without the help of an extensively experienced food poisoning attorney.

The responsible entities will rarely agree to accept responsibility for E. coli outbreaks and compensate victims voluntarily. As a result, there is a lot that goes into recouping damages. A victim of an E. coli outbreak must prove that the party responsible is legally liable under state laws which vary by state. The E. coli attorneys at Ron Simon & Associates are well-versed in liability and negligence laws throughout the country. They will make sure you don’t miss out on compensation if your case is valid. We will explain the legal process for seeking compensation in your state and file a personal injury lawsuit on your behalf.

If you lost a loved one as a result of food poisoning, our E. coli lawyers can assist you in filing a wrongful death lawsuit.

Can I Sue if I Get E. coli?

Yes. Food manufacturers, distributors, and retailers must follow food safety rules to ensure that only safe food is sold. If an entity is negligent in their job and you contract E. coli through contaminated food, you have a right to sue them. Whether or not your case is valid depends on the availability of evidence linking your foodborne illness to the food distributed, sold, or served by a specific entity. You can also file an E. coli lawsuit if you get an E. coli infection while visiting a petting zoo.

Our E. coli lawyers have decades of experience uncovering evidence that proves the following:

The illness was caused by visiting a specific location or eating a particular food.
Your stool test revealed the presence of E. coli. In the event of an outbreak, the test reveals an E. coli strain with a similar genetic fingerprint to the rest of the affected population.
The same strain of E. coli found in your stool contaminated the food consumed, or the location visited.

Symptoms of E. coli infections can take up to a week to appear, making tracing the source of bacteria difficult (especially when there are no other reported cases). That’s why we recommend contacting a food poisoning attorney as soon as you are diagnosed with an E. coli infection. This ensures that our E. coli law firm begins investigations into all suspected locations and foods as quickly as possible.

What Damages Can I Claim in an E. Coli Lawsuit?

If the negligence of another party caused your foodborne illness, you should not have to pay for it. When an E. coli lawyer at Ron Simon & Associates uncovers the liable parties and evidence, you can file an E. coli lawsuit to recover economic and non-economic damages resulting from the illness, such as:

Past, present, and future medical treatment bills
Pain and suffering
Lost income
Time lost away from work
Emotional distress
Permanent disfigurement and physical impairment
Lost earning capacity (if disabled)
Legal fees
Loss of enjoyment in life
Wrongful death

Why Choose Our E. coli Lawyers?

Ron Simon & Associates’ attorneys have decades of experience representing thousands of victims of E. coli outbreaks throughout the United States.
We have a track record of winning big personal injury lawsuits against corporate giants, retailers, and other entities.
Our E. coli attorneys build a strong case on your behalf without charging any upfront fees, and we only get paid when you win.
We have won large sums of money for our clients, including $13.2 million for a 5-year-old boy and 7-year-old girl who developed Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome as a result of E. coli poisoning.
Our E. coli attorneys don’t rest until justice is served, and you are paid every penny to cover your damages.

Seeking compensation for the suffering caused by illness during an E. coli outbreak or recall shouldn’t be difficult. Our job is to dig out the truth, hold the responsible parties accountable, and get victims the compensation they deserve.

What Is E. coli?

Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a diverse group of bacteria that are usually found in the environment and intestines of healthy people and warm-blooded animals. The majority of E. coli strains are harmless, but a few, such as E. coli O157:H7, are pathogenic, meaning they cause illness (usually diarrhea). These pathogenic E. coli strains are spread through contaminated water or food, as well as contact with infected animals or people.

There are several pathogenic E. coli bacteria categorized into the following pathotypes:

Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC)
Enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC)
Diffusely adherent E. coli (DAEC)
Enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC)
Enteroinvasive E. coli (EIEC)
Enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC)

The bacteria that produce Shiga toxin are referred to as “Shiga toxin-producing” E. coli or abbreviated as STEC. E. coli infections are among the most common foodborne illnesses, with approximately 265,000 STEC infections occurring in the United States each year.

How Does E. coli Contaminate Food and Water?

E Coli infections are typically caused by consuming contaminated food or water like ground beef, water, undercooked vegetables, and unpasteurized milk. These illness-causing bacteria can come into contact with food in a variety of ways, including:

Human or animal stool comes into contact with food or water.
Someone handling food without cleaning their hands properly after using the restroom.
E. coli bacteria in the intestines of animals like cattle get on the meat during slaughtering and processing (ground beef).
E. coli bacteria on a cow’s udder get into raw milk.
Human and animal stool gets into ground and surface water, for instance, rivers, irrigation waters, etc.

Symptoms of E. coli Infection

The symptoms of E. coli infection vary from one person to another and depending on the severity of the illness. Among the symptoms are:

Severe stomach cramps
Nausea and vomiting
Slight fever of less than 101˚F (in some people)
Bloody diarrhea or stool
Decreased urine output

How Fast Do E. coli Symptoms Manifest?

Symptoms of a STEC infection begin 3-4 days after consuming food contaminated with the bacteria. However, you could get sick one day after the exposure or up to ten days later.

How Long Does E. coli Poisoning Last?

The majority of people recover from E. coli infections within a week. While most healthy adults only get mild E. coli infections, some people get severe or even fatal diseases.

People with weakened immune systems, pregnant women, the elderly, and young children are especially vulnerable to more severe complications. In fact, about 5-10% of people infected with STEC develop a potentially fatal kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) about a week after symptoms appear. While most HUS patients recover within a few weeks of treatment, others develop a chronic illness or even die.

Some of the signs that someone is developing HUS include:

Reduced urination frequency
Pink color loss in lower eyelids and cheeks
Extreme fatigue

What Happens if You Leave E. coli Untreated?

E. coli mild infections usually go away without treatment within a week. However, patients who experience the following symptoms should promptly contact their health care provider:

Diarrhea that lasts for more than three days
Bloody diarrhea
Diarrhea with a fever (higher than 102˚F)
Passing very little urine
Excessive vomiting, which doesn’t allow you to keep liquids down

Watching out for such symptoms and contacting a healthcare provider is essential as the infection could progress to any of these conditions:

Urinary tract infection
Pneumonia
Abdominal and pelvic infection
Meningitis (bacteria cross the blood-brain barrier)
Bacteremia (bacteria enter the bloodstream)
Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS)

Who Can I Sue if I Get E. coli?

You have the right to sue the parties involved in the processing, distribution, or sale of the contaminated food that sickened you or a loved one. Whether or not you can hold a specific party responsible for the E. coli food poisoning is greatly influenced by the conditions that led to the contamination of the food.

The goal of investigations is to determine whether any party is responsible for the contamination. It could be any entity in the food supply chain, for instance:

Processing companies (like slaughterhouses or farms)
Suppliers (mainly wholesalers and distributors)
Retailers (for example, restaurants or grocery stores)

Our E. coli attorneys carefully trace every step of the contaminated food to determine who is responsible and who you can sue. It is common for more than one party/company to be involved.

How Much Is My E. coli Case Worth?

Your case may be worth millions of dollars, especially if you become severely ill or develop complications. However, the amount of compensation you are entitled to varies depending on several factors surrounding your case, such as:

Age
Wage loss
Medical treatment expenses
The severity of your medical complications (wrongful death suit)
Need for ongoing medical and other care
The loss of earning capacity
Pain and suffering caused

We have obtained million and multimillion-dollar verdicts and settlements on behalf of our clients.

While prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome, you can count on our attorneys to provide you with skilled representation and sound legal counsel.

Do food producers legally have to tell you if the food product has been contaminated with E. coli?

Manufacturers, producers, and sellers are not supposed to distribute any food contaminated with pathogenic strains of E. coli. They must adhere to proper food safety guidelines to ensure that the food they produce and distribute is fit for human consumption.

Who Investigates Escherichia coli Outbreaks?

During a foodborne illness outbreak, such as E. coli, investigations are conducted to trace the illnesses back to a specific brand, farm, manufacturer, establishment, or other location where the contaminated food was manufactured, purchased, or served.

Tracebacks in the U.S. are handled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), local health departments, or state health officials. Tracebacks occur when two or more people contract the same illness after eating the same food or drink.

What Happens When There Is an E. coli Outbreak?

When a doctor diagnoses a patient with E. coli, they voluntarily report the case to the state or local health department. States can then report to CDC, which investigates the outbreak if two or more people are ill after consuming the same food or visiting the same location. CDC investigates to find the source of the outbreak and locate sickened individuals to understand the scope of the infections.

If necessary, food recalls of the implicated foods or beverages are made by the FDA to prevent more people from getting sick.

Individuals can also report the cases directly to the CDC.

Is There an E. coli Outbreak Right Now in 2022?

Wendy’s Romaine Lettuce E. coli Outbreak

According to the CDC, As of August 27, 2022, there have been 84 reported cases of E. coli. While the food source remains unknown it is potentially linked to Wendy’s Romaine Lettuce. The E. coli lawyers at Ron Simon & Associates have filed the first Wendy’s E. coli Outbreak Lawsuit.

Contact an Experienced E. coli Lawyer Today

You can contact our experienced food poisoning lawyers by calling 888-335-4901 or filling out our online form, and we will respond as soon as possible!

An E. coli lawyer at our law firm will analyze your case and file a lawsuit on your behalf, if necessary. Our attorneys have decades of experience defending victims of E. coli food poisoning. We hold schools, manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and other food handlers accountable if their actions result in the illness. Food poisoning lawsuits are difficult to pursue because corporate behemoths fight back, but we have a proven track record of obtaining fair compensation for our clients.

Our E. coli lawyers have won millions for our clients who were injured by contaminated food and water. Let us help you today.

If you’re sickened by contaminated food and beverages, you have a legal right to sue the negligent party. We offer a free consultation to help you determine if you have a valid legal claim and discuss potential compensation for your damages.

Give us a call today at (888) 335-4901 to speak with an E. coli outbreak lawyer or complete the contact form below, and we’ll get back to you.

Filing an E. coli claim against the liable parties also helps to put the negligent party in check and ensure they don’t repeat a mistake that puts others at risk too in the future.

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How Can an E. coli Lawyer Help?

Do I Need an E. coli Attorney?

Can I Sue if I Get E. coli?

What Damages Can I Claim in an E. Coli Lawsuit?

Why Choose Our E. coli Lawyers?

What Is E. coli?

How Does E. coli Contaminate Food and Water?

Symptoms of E. coli Infection

How Fast Do E. coli Symptoms Manifest?

How Long Does E. coli Poisoning Last?

What Happens if You Leave E. coli Untreated?

Who Can I Sue if I Get E. coli?

How Much Is My E. coli Case Worth?

Do food producers legally have to tell you if the food product has been contaminated with E. coli?

Who Investigates Escherichia coli Outbreaks?

What Happens When There Is an E. coli Outbreak?

Is There an E. coli Outbreak Right Now in 2022?

Wendy’s Romaine Lettuce E. coli Outbreak

Contact an Experienced E. coli Lawyer Today

Our E. coli lawyers have won millions for our clients who were injured by contaminated food and water. Let us help you today.

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