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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffEscherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria live in the intestines of people and animals. Most varieties of E. coli are harmless or cause relatively brief diarrhea, such as occurs in travelers to developing countries.
But a few particularly nasty strains, such as E. coli O157:H7, can cause severe, bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps, followed by serious organ system damage such as kidney failure. You may be exposed to E. coli from contaminated water or food — especially raw vegetables and undercooked ground beef.
Healthy adults usually recover from infection with E. coli O157:H7 within a week, but young children and older adults can develop a life-threatening form of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).
- Escherichia coli. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/nczved/dfbmd/disease_listing/stec_gi.html. Accessed May 5, 2009.
- Steckelberg JM (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. May 12, 2009.
- Bitteman RA, et al. Acute gastroenteritis. In: Marx JA, et al. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 6th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2006. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/135505615-6/837468548/1365/282.html#4-u1.0-B0-323-02845-4..50098-6--cesec40_4619. Accessed May 5, 2009.
- Calderwood SB. Microbiology, pathogenesis and epidemiology of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 5, 2009.
- Basic information about E. coli O157:H7 in drinking water. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. http://www.epa.gov/safewater/contaminants/ecoli.html. Accessed May 5, 2009.
- Hemolytic uremic syndrome in children. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/childkidneydiseases/hemolytic_uremic_syndrome/. Accessed May 5, 2009.
- Calderwood SB. Clinical manifestations, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 5, 2009.
