in full Escherichia coli
Species of bacterium that inhabits the stomach and intestines.
E. coli can be transmitted by water, milk, food, or flies and other insects. Mutations can lead to strains that cause diarrhea by giving off toxins, invading the intestinal lining, or sticking to the intestinal wall. Therapy consists largely of fluid replacement, though specific drugs are effective in some cases. The illness is usually self-limiting, with no evidence of long-lasting effects. However, one dangerous strain causes bloody diarrhea, kidney failure, and death in extreme cases. Proper cooking of meat, washing of produce, and pasteurization of cider prevent infection from contaminated food sources.