Enteric bacteria

Enteric bacteria are a type of bacteria that live in the intestines of humans and other animals. They are part of the gut flora, the community of microorganisms that inhabit the digestive tract. Some types of enteric bacteria are beneficial to their hosts, aiding in digestion and other processes, while others can cause disease.

Characteristics

Enteric bacteria are Gram-negative bacteria, meaning they do not retain the violet stain used in the Gram stain method of bacterial identification. They are typically rod-shaped and can be either aerobic (requiring oxygen to live) or anaerobic (able to live without oxygen).

Types of Enteric Bacteria

There are many different types of enteric bacteria. Some of the most well-known include:

• Escherichia coli (E. coli): A common type of bacteria that lives in the intestines of humans and animals. Most strains are harmless, but some can cause serious illness.
• Salmonella: A genus of bacteria that is a common cause of foodborne illness.
• Shigella: A genus of bacteria that can cause dysentery, a severe form of diarrhea.
• Yersinia: A genus of bacteria that includes the species Yersinia pestis, the cause of plague.

Diseases Caused by Enteric Bacteria

Enteric bacteria can cause a variety of diseases, including:

• Gastroenteritis: Inflammation of the stomach and intestines, typically resulting from bacterial or viral infection.
• Food poisoning: Illness resulting from eating food contaminated with bacteria, viruses, or parasites.
• Typhoid fever: A serious disease caused by Salmonella typhi that is spread through contaminated food and water.
• Dysentery: A type of gastroenteritis that results in diarrhea with blood.

Prevention and Treatment

Prevention of diseases caused by enteric bacteria typically involves proper food handling and sanitation practices. Treatment often involves rehydration and, in some cases, antibiotics.

See Also

• Gut flora
• Gram-negative bacteria
• Foodborne illness

Enteric bacteria Resources
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