Escherichia coli

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(Redirected from E coli)

Escherichia coli on agar
Escherichia coli on agar

Other names[edit | edit source]

Also called E. coli

Description[edit | edit source]

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

Pathogenesis[edit | edit source]

  • 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.

Food poisoning[edit | edit source]

Escherichia coli, Endo agar
Escherichia coli, Endo agar
Scanning electron micrograph of Escherichia coli
Scanning electron micrograph of Escherichia coli

Symptoms[edit | edit source]

  • 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.

Normal flora[edit | edit source]

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

Survival outside the body[edit | edit source]

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

Escherichia coli Resources
Wikipedia





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