Enteroinvasive E. coli (EIEC) can invade the intestinal lining and cause diarrhea. Shigella is closely related and can cause a similar illness. Their shared genetic features explain why a molecular stool report may place them on a single line.
On this page
Why GI-MAP groups EIEC and Shigella
The combined result looks for a target shared by EIEC and Shigella. It is not a species-level identification of one or the other. Molecular outbreak investigations also use shared targets such as ipaH, with further testing to distinguish organisms. [1] [2]
Why this finding matters
EIEC illness can include watery or bloody diarrhea and fever. Exposure history—travel, affected household members and possible food or water sources—helps a clinician assess the result. The name alone cannot determine where the exposure happened or who transmitted it. [3]
What a positive result supports
A detected shared target can be relevant to an infectious-diarrhea assessment. It does not establish antibiotic susceptibility or show how much intestinal injury has occurred. If distinguishing Shigella from EIEC affects care or public-health follow-up, ask about confirmatory testing and culture.
A negative result cannot exclude every cause of dysentery or ongoing diarrhea. Recent treatment, specimen timing and the scope of the assay matter. Symptoms that persist need reassessment even when the pathogen page has no flags.
How this differs from other E. coli entries
The commensal Escherichia result is not an EIEC diagnosis. ETEC targets relate to enterotoxins, while stx1 and stx2 concern Shiga toxins. Treating every E. coli label as interchangeable can lead to the wrong interpretation.
Common questions
Does this result prove shigellosis?
No. The combined target cannot uniquely identify Shigella. Clinical context and additional laboratory testing may be needed.
Do I need antibiotics if it is detected?
The result is not a prescription. A clinician should assess illness severity, likely organism and any susceptibility information before choosing treatment.
Sources and review
Sources checked October 7, 2026. Manufacturer material describes the test; clinical guidance and research support the interpretation limits.
- Diagnostic Solutions Laboratory: GI-MAP interpretive guide (manufacturer specifications)
- CDC Emerging Infectious Diseases: EIEC outbreak investigation
- CDC: Kinds of E. coli
Medical review of this article is pending. For a correction or source question, contact GI MAP Test.