7.2 Escherichia coli

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Figure 10 E. coli are typical rod-shaped bacteria about 2 µm long
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An image of E. coli.

Figure 10 E. coli are typical rod-shaped bacteria about 2 µm long

What are the main characteristics of E. coli?

Answer

E. coli is a Gram-negative, oxidase-negative, facultative anaerobic Enterobacterales.

E. coli live as commensals of the large intestine of humans and animals, and low virulence strains may cause a range of sporadic endogenous internal organ infections and septicaemia. Certain specific E. coli pathotypes cause transmissible infections in different farm animal species. Some globally widespread strains are multi-drug resistant (MDR) and pose a threat to modern medicine. Hence, E. coli is included in the list of priority pathogens for AMR surveillance.

In farmed animals, E. coli is associated with specific endemic diseases of significant economic impact, such as:

  • Entero-toxigenic E. coli diarrhoea in newborn calves and piglets
  • E. coli oedema disease in piglets
  • Bovine mastitis
  • Colibacillosis of poultry.

7.1 Organisms of interest

7.2.1 Isolation of E. coli