What is E. Coli (Escherichia Coli)? and E. Coli Risks

E. Coli Classification

Here is more classification information about E. Coli.

Family: Enterobacteriaceae
Genus: Escherichia 
Species: coli

General E. Coli

Escherichia coli or E. coli is a group of bacteria naturally present in the intestines of humans and animals. In the large intestine, E. coli is beneficial because it prevents the outgrowth of other harmful bacteria. There are some types that cause foodborne illness, such as EHEC and STEC.

Suspicious food

E. coli can occur in raw animal products, such as beef. But it can also occur in raw vegetables like cucumbers and lettuce. The problem is not caused by cooked vegetables, as the bacteria are killed by heating:

• minced meat or filet américain;
• half-cooked hamburger;
• raw or undercooked beef (e.g. carpaccio);
• unpasteurised milk or cheese;
• vegetables such as lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes;
• unpasteurised fruit juice.

Disease profile E. Coli

Depending on the type of E. coli, an infection leads to more or less serious symptoms. In many cases you won’t notice anything. In other cases, you will experience symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. Severe infections can cause reduced kidney function and blood breakdown. 
Below is a table of different types of E. coli with associated symptoms of illness.

Type E. Coli	Disease symptoms
EPEC	Children’s diarrhea, (travellers) diarrhea
ETEC	(travellers) diarrhoea, vomiting, fever
VTEC	Stool with blood and mucus
EHEC (subgroup of VTEC)	Bloody diarrhea; possible kidney damage as complicated
STEC 0157 (EHEC species)	Bloody diarrhoea; possible kidney damage as a complication
EIEC	Relieve with blood and mucus
EaggEC	Persistent diarrhea in children
DAEC	Children’s diarrhea

Incubation period

The incubation period, i.e. the time between infection and the first symptoms of the disease, is 1 to 12 days. The first symptoms usually occur within 3 to 4 days of infection. After about 24 hours, watery diarrhoea occurs which develops into bloody diarrhoea after one to two days. The complaints last 2 to 9 days (on average 4 days) and generally disappear by themselves.

Risk groups

Young children, elderly people, pregnant women and people with low resistance are especially susceptible to an E. coli infection.

Prevention E. Coli

E. coli bacteria are heat-sensitive and are therefore killed by heating products above 70 °C. Proper heating and hygienic food handling can therefore largely prevent infections caused by E. coli bacteria. Further spread can be prevented by washing hands thoroughly after visiting the toilet and before cooking.