In recent years it has become clear that three types of Escherichia coli-enterotoxigenic, enteropathogenic, and enteroinvasive-play important roles in the etiology of acute diarrhoea. This report reviews the available knowledge on the epidemiology, clinical features, and pathophysiology of acute diarrhoea caused by these three types of E. coli, summarizes information on their laboratory diagnosis, and outlines priorities for further research. Particular attention is paid to important aspects of the relationship between enterotoxigenic E. coli diarrhoea in young animals and in man, and to recent advances in the development of E. coli vaccines for use in animals and their potential relevance to the development of an E. coli vaccine for use in man.