Blood type affects severity of diarrhea caused by E. coli

(Washington University School of Medicine) A new study shows that a kind of E. coli most associated with 'travelers' diarrhea' and children in underdeveloped areas of the world causes more severe disease in people with blood type A. The bacteria release a protein that latches onto intestinal cells in people with blood type A, but not blood type O or B, according to a study led by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.
Source: EurekAlert! - Infectious and Emerging Diseases - Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: news