E. coli

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Escherichia coli bacteria undergoing cytokinesis in the final stage of binary fission (scanning electron micrograph; magnified 21,674 times).

Escherichia coli bacteria grown in pure culture on EMB (eosin methylene blue) agar.

Escherichia coli and other organisms that cause urinary tract infections can be isolated and identified from urine samples using laboratory culture techniques.

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Science & Tech

E. coli

bacteria

Also known as: Escherichia coli

Written and fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last Updated: Apr 9, 2024 • Article History

E. coli

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Category: Science & Tech

Key People:: Aziz Sancar

Related Topics:: foodborne illness; coliform bacteria; facultative anaerobe; traveler’s diarrhea

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E. coli, (Escherichia coli), species of bacterium that normally inhabits the stomach and intestines. When E. coli is consumed in contaminated water, milk, or food or is transmitted through the bite of a fly or other insect, it can cause gastrointestinal illness. Mutations can lead to strains that cause diarrhea by giving off toxins, invading the intestinal lining, or sticking to the intestinal wall. Therapy for gastrointestinal illness consists largely of fluid replacement, though specific drugs are effective in some cases. The illness is usually self-limiting, with no evidence of long-lasting effects. However, dangerous strains, such as E. coli O157:H7 ...(100 of 140 words)

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