A118 EXPOSURE TO CROHN’S DISEASE-ASSOCIATED ADHERENT-INVASIVE E.COLI (AIEC) AT THE HEIGHT OF INFECTIOUS COLITIS IMPAIRS HOST-MEDIATED CLEARANCE OF AIEC

Prior exposure to foodborne pathogens causing acute gastroenteritis can have long lasting consequences, including an increased risk of Crohn’s disease (CD). However, the underlying pathologic connection between the inciting event and CD, a chronic inflammatory condition, is not known. Adherent-invasive E. coli (AIEC) are enriched in the intestinal mucosa of CD patients though exactly how it contributes to this chronic illness is unclear. We …