Escherichia coli

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Sections available in full article Classification, Distribution, Significance, Active Forms, Active Form 1, Clinical Effects, Epidemiology, Pathological effects, Other Host Effects, Control, Diagnosis, Useful samples, Specimen storage, Transport of samples, Laboratory diagnosis, Sources, Publications, Vetstream contributor(s),
Contributors Dr Richard Walker DVM PhD MPVM DipACVM
Synonyms E. coli

Classification


Taxonomy

  • Family: Enterobacteriaceae .
  • Genus: Escherichia .

Classification of enteritis-causing E. coli strains

  • Enterotoxigenic E. coli ( ETEC): have fimbrial adhesins, produce enterotoxin, cause neonatal colibacillosis.
  • Enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC): do not produce enterotoxins or Shiga-like toxins, cause enteritis/diarrhea and colisepticemia by other mechanisms.
  • Attaching and effacing E. coli (AEEC): colonize small intestine, attach to target cells and kill them, Shiga-like toxins, isolated from calves and rabbits with enteric disease.

Etymology

  • Escherichia : named after Theodor Escherich, who named the type species of the genus.

Distribution

  • Worldwide.

Significance

  • The major facultative gram-negative species comprising the normal flora of the gastrointestinal tract; usually present in larger numbers in carnivores and omnivores than in herbivores.
  • Presence in water supply usually indicates fecal contamination; hence tests for its presence are widely used in water testing.
  • Causes (or associated with as opportunistic infection) a wide range of diseases in many species.

Sources

Publications

  • Cullor J S (1995)Escherichia coli O157-H7 - the silent danger.Vet Med90(1), 74-82.
  • Dorn C R (1995)Escherichia coli O157-H7.JAVMA206(10), 1995.
  • Whipp S C, Rasmussen M A & Cray W C (1994)Animals as a source of Escherichia coli pathogenic for human beings.JAVMA204(4), 1168-1175.
  • Levine M (1987)Escherichia coli that causes diarrhoea - enterotoxigenic, enteropathogenic, enteroinvasive, enterohaemorrhagic and anteroadherent.J Infect Dis155, 377.

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