E. Coli Essay

Escherichia Coli, or E. Coli, are a large and diverse colony of bacteria within the fecal coliforms group – a group of closely related bacterial genera that share the ability to metabolize sugar lactose, producing acids and gas as byproducts – found living harmlessly in warm-blooded organisms’ intestines, the environment, or in various foods (2006). Unfortunately, some forms of E. Coli bacteria are pathogenic, in which the bacteria has developed the ability to cause the disease of the urinary, gastrointestinal, or central nervous system in even the most robust humans. A recently identified severe strain, E. coli O157:H7, results in foodborne and waterborne illness. Although most strains of E. Coli bacteria live within the intestines of healthy organisms, this strain produces toxins that can cause severe illnesses (“Basic Information about E. Coli 0157:H7 in Drinking …show more content…
Most infections with E. coli O157:H7 are diagnosed by consuming undercooked meat contaminated with the bacteria. An infection with E. coli O157:H7 initially begins with abdominal cramps and watery diarrhea that develops into severe bloody diarrhea within days (Shewdlow 2015). Essentially, E. coli O157:H7 can lead to anemia, kidney failure, and eventually death. In some people, specifically infants under the age of five and the elderly, the infection can cause hemolytic uremic syndrome, which is characterized by hemolytic anemia (erythrocytes and the hemoglobin are eradicated) and the kidneys fail. In the United States, hemolytic uremic syndrome is the leading cause of acute kidney failure in children. Thus, many cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome are caused by E. Coli 0157:H7. This life-threatening syndrome is usually treated in an intensive care unit, in which blood transfusions and kidney dialysis are both