Escherichia coli
...cteriaceae, otherwise known as the enteric bacteria. The enterics are typically oxidase-negative; they ferment glucose producing acid and gas; and they contain peritrichous flagella (flagella uniformly distributed over the body surface). Additionally, the organism E. coli is considered to be an anaerobic bacillus, a rod-shaped bacterium, that inhabits a mammal’s intestinal tract both in health and disease (1,3). It is apparent that the E. coli bacterium possesses virulence factors which enhance its ability to cause infection. One such factor is a certain type of pili, the P fimbriae, or pyelonephritis-associated pili (PAP), because they specifically bind to the P-antigen, one of the blood grouping antigens. These are more commonly found in the enterotoxigenic strains. While the P fimbriae are more prominent, other adhesins may also be involved. Furthermore, K antigens are virulence mechanisms found in the enteroinvasive strains of E. coli that enable the strain to attach to and invade mucosal cells (3). In humans, E. coli is responsible for three types of infections, including urinary tract infections (UTIs), neonatal meningitis, and gastroenteritis (3). Infection with E. coli can cause severe abdominal cramps as well as diarrhea. The aforementioned bacterium is also a leading cause of bloody diarrhea, due to the fact that the infection causes the appearance of sores in the patient’s intestines. In addition, one may also experience nausea or vomiting with this condition. Other symptoms may include a mild fever or difficulty urinating (1,2). Additionally, E. coli causes about ...