Vero Toxins (Shiga‐Like Toxins) Produced by Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (Verocytotoxin‐Producing E. coli)

Escherichia coli (EHEC) is characterized by its ability to produce Vero toxin that is cytotoxic to Vero cells, and is thus called Verocytotoxin-producing E. coli (VTEC). The pathogenesis of EHEC is distinct from enteropathogenic E. coli, enteroinvasive E. coli, enterotoxigenic E. coli, and enteroaggregative E. coll. Strains of EHEC are associated with various kinds of human diseases such as diarrhea, hemorrhagic colitis, hemolytic uremic syndrome, and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (44). VTEC strains are also known to cause edema disease in pigs (44).