Abstract: Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli heat-stable enterotoxin 1 is a novel pathogenic enterotoxin with potential threat to human and animal intestinal health.It is encoded by astA gene.EAST1 was first found in enteroaggregative Escherichia coli（EAEC）, and then were detected enteropathogenic Escherichia coli（EPEC）, enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli（ETEC）. Escherichia coli containing only EAST1 was defined as enteroaggregative Escherichia coli heat-stable enterotoxin 1 Escherichia coli（EAST1 EC）.There are many genotypes in astA gene, and EAST1 expressed by different astA genotypes has different toxicity. The pathogenesis of EAST1 is consistent with heat-stable enterotoxinⅠ（STa）.In this study, the prevalent of EAST1, the genotypes of different astA, and the pathogenic mechanism of EAST1 were reviewed, hoping to provide the oretical basis for the classification of astA gene and the pathogenic ability of EAST1.