Escherichia coli Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Escherichia coli - Essay Example E. coli is basically responsible for many intestinal and extra-intestinal infections. Some of these infewctions incluse meningitis, peritonitis, urinary tract infections, septicemia, Gram-negative pneumonia and mastitis. Based on the virulence properties of the enteric E. coli, these are subdivided into the following: enterotoxigenic, enterotoxigenic, enteroinvasive, verotoxigenic, enterohaemorrhagic and enteroaggregative E. coli. Enterotoxigenic (ETEC), is the causative agent of diarrhea in humans, pigs, sheep, goats, cattle, dogs, and horses. Enteropathogenic (EPEC) is the causative agent of diarrhea in humans, rabbits, dogs, cats and horses. Enteroinvasive (EIEC), is found only in humans, where as verotoxigenic (VTEC) is found in pigs, cattle, dogs and cats. Enterohaemorrhagic (EHEC) is found in humans, cattle, and goats, attacking porcine strains that colonize the gut in the same way as human EPEC strains and enteroaggregative E. coli.. Gastrointestinal Food industry plays a major role in the spread of diseases by e-coli. Most illness has been linked with consumption of undercooked, contaminated ground beef. There are also vegetarian sources as people have also become ill from eating contaminated bean sprouts or fresh leafy vegetables such as lettuce and spinach. Escherichia coli O157:H7 is a leading cause of food-borne illness in various parts of the world. E. coli O157:H7 was first recognized as a cause of illness in 1982 during an outbreak of severe bloody diarrhea; the outbreak was traced to contaminated hamburgers. Since then, more infections in the United States have been caused by eating undercooked ground beef than by any other food. It is a fact based on a 1999 estimate that about 73,000 cases of infection and 61 deaths occur every year in the United States alone. Unhygienic practices are the main cause for infection with E.coli O157:H7. The common way in which this bacterial infection affects human beings is bloody diarrhea, and sometimes may also be responsible for to kidney failure. Illness can also be transmitted from one person to another through contact. Besides, infection can also result from drinking raw milk and after swimming in or drinking sewage-contaminated water. This bacterial has become so common that there are also reports of e-coli in bottled drinking water.