E.coli or Escherichia coli is a bacterium that lives in the digestive tracts of humans and animals. This type of bacteria is responsible for causing E.coli infection. This occurs usually when consuming contaminated food and water or coming in direct contact with a person or animal who carries the pathogenic form of the bacteria.
Structure and Characteristics
Picture of Escherichia Coli
E.coli illness in Canada and commonality of Pathogenic E.coli illnesses
Between late December 2012 to January 9th 2013, 30 cases of E.coli food borne illnesses were reported in Canada in the Maritimes and Ontario. E.coli food borne illnesses are not uncommon in the country, as around an average of 440 cases of this infection have been reported annually. (Public Health Agency of Canada)
E.coli Reproduction
E.coli can reproduce by two processes: binary fission or conjugation. Binary fission is when a single DNA molecule replicates and divides into two identical cells. First, a single DNA molecule replicates. Both copies are separated by the formation of the septum. When the septum is complete, the two copies are divided into identical daughter cells. Conjugation is the transfer of genetic material between two cells. This process is advantageous as it can allow bacteria to adapt to an environment that consistently changes. In conjugation, two different cells line up beside each other. A bridge like structure forms between them called a pilus, which allows DNA from one cell to be transferred to another. The cell receiving the DNA becomes nonidentical from the cell it originally formed from. After conjugation is finished, the cell with new DNA will reproduce through binary fission. (Bailey)
Process of Conjugation Process of Binary Fission
E.coli-Host Relationship and E.coli Survival
E.coli Symptoms and Virulence
Children are more likely to develop symptoms of E.coli infection than adults. Common symptoms of the infection include severe stomach cramps, bloody diarrhea and nausea, along with vomiting. Although bloody diarrhea is common in confirmed cases of E.coli infection, it is possible that the infection can be a cause of non bloody diarrhea. Most individuals who contract E.coli infection recover fully in 7 to 10 days. Around 5 to 10 percent who receive the illness will develop hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure and blood disorder which can result in death.
Transmission
Prevention
- Washing fresh fruits or vegetables before eating them.
- Refrigerating perishable foods within two hours of cooking.
Treatment
Generally, it is best to allow the disease to run it's course. Treatment for those who have E.coli infection is to drink plenty of water in order to replace the body fluids which were lost through vomiting and diarrhea, and to prevent dehydration. Antibiotics are not used for treating the illness as they increase the risk of one developing HUS.
(Public Health Agency of Canada)
E.coli Benefits
The bacterium is capable of producing sugar modified proteins called glycoproteins. Glycoproteins can allow for production of cheaper and faster prescription drugs. This proteins in medications can also inhibit cancer cells from multiplying. (Medical News Today)
Works Cited
Bailey, Regina. "Binary Fission in Prokaryotes." About.com Biology. About.com, n.d. Web. 27 Oct. 2013.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Gram-negative Bacteria Infections in Healthcare Settings." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 17 Jan. 2011. Web. 27 Oct. 2013.
Medical News Today. "What Is E.coli? (Escherichia Coli)." Medical News Today. MediLexicon International, 21 May 2013. Web. 27 Oct. 2013.
Public Health Agency of Canada. "Escherichia Coli." Escherichia Coli. Public Health Agency of Canada, 30 Apr. 2012. Web. 27 Oct. 2013.
Public Health Agency of Canada. "Public Health Notice: E. Coli O157:H7 Illnesses in the Maritimes and Ontario." Public Health Agency of Canada. N.p., 7 Feb. 2013. Web. 27 Oct. 2013.
Science Daily. "How Pathogenic E. Coli Bacterium Causes Illness." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 15 Mar. 2011. Web. 27 Oct. 2013.