EFFACING LESION

(le\'zhěn)

The type of lesion caused by enteropathogenic strains of E. coli (EPEC) when the bacteria attach to and destroy the brush border of intestinal epithelial cells. The term AE (attaching-effacing) E. coli is now used to designate true EPEC strains that are an important cause of diarrhea in children from developing countries and in traveler\'s diarrhea.