| ETEC | Enterotoxigenic strain of Escherichia coli; attaches to the duodenum or proximal small intestine mucosa, where it forms heat-stable and heat-labile toxins that activate adenylate cyclase, causing wasting diarrhoea. Responsible for 40-70% of traveler's diarrhoea; chiefly water-borne via human faeces. Most important cause of diarrhoea among infants living in tropical areas. (05 Mar 2000) |
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