Pathogenic Escherichia coli

J. Wang, G. Rivas and X. Cai, Screen printed electrochemical hybridisation biosensor for the detection of DNA sequences from Escherichia coli pathogen, Electroanalysis, 9 (1997) 395-398. 

E-coli Escherichia coli - one of the non-pathogenic coliform organisms used to indicate the presence of pathogenic bacteria in water. 

Escherichia coli (E. coli) A species of bacteria that inhabits the intestinal tract of most vertebrates. Many non-pathogenic strains are used experimentally as hosts for rDNA. 

Some of the pathogens in Table 2, infect only humans (e.g., Vibrio cholerae. Salmonella typhi. Shigella dysenteriae, poliovirus, hepatitis A virus), whereas others, known as zoonotic, infect both humans and animals Salmonella no thypi. Shigella no dysenteriae, Campylobacter, enteropathogenic Escherichia coli such as for example the biotype 0157 H7, Cryptosporidium, etc.). The control of those that only infect humans is easier than the control of the zoonotic ones. Thus, some of them (S, typhi, S. dysenteriae, poliovirus, etc.) have practically been eradicated in many developed countries, whereas the eradication, and even the control below certain levels, of the zoonotic ones is a very difficult task. 

Traveller s diarrhoea may be eaused by one of many gastrointestinal pathogens (Table 6.4). However, enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli is the most common pathogen. Whilst it is generally short-lived, traveller s diarrhoea can seriously mar a brief period abroad, be it for holiday or business purposes. Although not universally accepted, the use of short-course co-trimoxazole or quinolone such as norfloxacin can abbreviate an attack in patients with severe disease. 

Intra-abdominal operations involve a diverse flora with the potential for polymicrobial SSIs. Escherichia coli make up a large portion of bowel flora and are frequently isolated as pathogens according to the NNIS.5 Other enteric gram-negative bacteria, as well as anaerobes (especially Bacteroides spp.), may be encountered during intra-abdominal operations. 

Large analytes targeted by affinity biosensor technology include bacterial pathogens such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella enteritidis, and Listeria monocytogenes. Salmonella enteritidis and Listeria monocytogenes were detected by an SPR sensor at concentrations down to 106 cfu/ml27. 

Thielman NM, Guerrant RL Enteric Escherichia coli infections in Guerrant RL, Walker DH, Weller PF (eds) Tropical Infectious Diseases Principles, Pathogens, and Practice. Philadelphia, Churchill Livingstone, 1999, pp 261-276. 

Schultsz C, Moussa M, van Ketel H, Tytgat GN, Dankert J Frequency of pathogenic and enteroadherent Escherichia coli in patients with inflammatory bowel disease and controls. J Clin Pathol 1997 50 573-579. 

A common characteristic of most CNS bacterial pathogens (e.g., H. influenzae, Escherichia coli, and N. meningitidis) is the presence of an extensive polysaccharide capsule that is resistant to neutrophil phagocytosis and complement opsonization. 

According to the National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance System, the five most common pathogens encountered in surgical wounds are Staphylococcus aureus, coagulase-negative staphylococci, Enterococci, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. 

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