Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli
Among the pathogenic E. coli bacteria, the Enterohemorrhagic strain is the prominent representative of intestinal hemorrhagic infections.
The pathogenic E. coli bacteria are also present in the feces of cattle and humans causing such intestinal tract symptoms and complications as diarrhea and vomiting.
Symptoms of infection are manifested by severe vomiting, abdominal pain, and fecal occult blood by producing verotoxin (shiga-like toxin), which is a very strong poisoning toxin.
Children and the elderly are the major susceptible people to the infection manifested by hemolytic uremic symptoms.
Virulence (pathogenicity) is categorized according to the cellular wall composition and the flagella. The most representative types are; E. coli strain O157, the E. Coli strain O111.
Although the major infection route is the ingestion of contaminated food or contact with animals; fortunately proper well cook-heating process can kill the bacteria avoiding infection.
