What are the characteristics of Enterobacteriaceae?

Members of the family Enterobacteriaceae have the following characteristics: They are gram-negative rods, either motile with peritrichous flagella or nonmotile; grow on peptone or meat extract media without the addition of sodium chloride or other supplements; grow well on MacConkey agar; grow aerobically and …

Is Escherichia coli an Enterobacteriaceae?

Enterobacteriaceae are a large family of Gram-negative bacteria that includes a number of pathogens such as Klebsiella, Enterobacter, Citrobacter, Salmonella, Escherichia coli, Shigella, Proteus, Serratia and other species. These pathogens can also cause healthcare-associated infections (HAIs).

What is unique about Escherichia coli?

Interesting Facts: This bacteria is the best or most-studied free-living organism and has a record of 11 prestigious Nobel prizes associated with it. More than 700 serotypes of E. coli have been identified. It causes infection by producing Shiga toxins – how severe you suffer depends on the type of E.

What is the function of Escherichia coli?

A species of bacteria (from the family Enterobacteraceae) that normally lives in the guts of people and animals. Most E. coli strains are harmless and play an essential role in keeping the digestive system healthy, helping to digest food and producing Vitamin K.

What is meant by Enterobacteriaceae?

Enterobacteriaceae is a large family of Gram-negative bacteria. Other disease-causing bacteria in this family include Enterobacter and Citrobacter. Members of the Enterobacteriaceae can be trivially referred to as enterobacteria or “enteric bacteria”, as several members live in the intestines of animals.

What is the medical significance of members of the Enterobacteriaceae?

Enterobacteriaceae can cause a wide range of illnesses, which include wound infections, urinary tract infections, gastroenteritis, meningitis, pneumonia, septicemia, and hemolytic uremic syndrome. Not all are regarded as truly pathogenic – some are regarded as opportunistic.

Where is Escherichia coli found in the body?

Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria normally live in the intestines of people and animals. Most E. coli are harmless and actually are an important part of a healthy human intestinal tract.

What are the characteristics of an Escherichia coli cell?

General Characteristics Escherichia coli is a member of the family Enterobacteriaceae, which are Gram-negative facultatively anaerobic rods (possessing both a fermentative and respiratory metabolism) and do not produce the enzyme oxidase. Escherichia coli cells are typically 1.1–1.5 μm wide by 2–6 μm long and occur as single straight rods.

Is the E coli a motile or non motile bacterium?

Motility – Escherichia coli is a motile bacterium. Some strains of E. coli are non-motile. Flagella – Escherichia coli is a flagellated bacterium with peritrichous flagella arrangement. Spores – The Escherichia coli is a non–sporing bacterium.

How does Escherichia coli O157 H7 adapt to its environment?

The abilities to cause human disease, colonize the bovine gastrointestinal tract, and survive in the environment require that E. coliO157:H7 adapt to a wide variety of conditions.

What’s the incubation period for Escherichia coli?

Various types of animals, in particular cattle and other ruminants, can be healthy carriers of human-pathogenic STEC that can be spread to humans through faecal contamination. The infective dose is very low. The incubation period ranges from three to eight days.