Escherichia coli

Escherichia coli on agar

Other names[edit | edit source]

Also called E. coli

Escherichia coli is a species of bacterium normally present in intestinal tract of humans and other animals.

E. coli are a large and diverse group of bacteria.
Although most strains of E. coli are harmless, others can make you sick.
Some kinds of E. coli can cause diarrhea, while others cause urinary tract infections, respiratory illness and pneumonia, and other illnesses.
E.coli are sometimes pathogenic.

E.coli can be a threat to food safety.
Some strains of verocytoxin producing e-coli (VTEC) belonging to serotype Escherichia coli O157 which can cause hemorrhagic colitis and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), two potentially life-threatening conditions

Escherichia coli, Endo agar

Scanning electron micrograph of Escherichia coli

Symptoms of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) infection vary for each person, but often include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea (often bloody), and vomiting.
Some people may have a fever, which usually is not very high (less than 101˚F/38.5˚C).
Most people get better within 5 to 7 days.
Some infections are very mild, but others are severe or even life-threatening.
Most people with a STEC infection start feeling sick 3 to 4 days after eating or drinking something that contains the bacteria.
However, illnesses can start anywhere from 1 to 10 days after exposure.

E-coli are part of the normal flora of the gut of warm blooded organisms.

E-coli can survive outside the body and are used as an indicator organism in environmental samples for fecal contamination.

Escherichia coli Resources
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