Definition

Proper noun: * Escherichia coli: A species of rod-shaped bacterium commonly found in the lower intestines of warm-blooded organisms (including humans). Most strains are harmless and are a normal part of the gut flora, but some strains can cause serious food poisoning and infections.

Usage

• The term E. coli is used to refer to the bacterium in scientific, medical, and public health contexts, especially when discussing food safety, water contamination, or infectious disease.
• It is typically treated as a singular noun (e.g., a bacterium).

Examples

• The outbreak was traced back to lettuce contaminated with a pathogenic strain of E. coli.
• Most E. coli in the human gut are beneficial and aid in digestion.
• Testing confirmed the presence of E. coli in the water supply, prompting a boil-water advisory.

Advanced Usage

• E. coli O157:H7: A specific, highly pathogenic serotype often associated with severe foodborne illness.
  • The restaurant was closed after several customers were hospitalized with E. coli O157:H7 infections.

Variants and Related Words

• Coliform (adj/noun): A broader class of bacteria used as an indicator of sanitary quality in food and water, of which is a member.
  • A high coliform count suggests possible fecal contamination.

Synonyms

• Escherichia coli (full scientific name)
• Enteric bacterium (broader category)

Related Phrases

• E. coli infection: An illness caused by pathogenic strains of the bacterium.
  • Symptoms of an E. coli infection include severe abdominal cramps and diarrhea.
• E. coli contamination: The presence of the bacterium, especially harmful strains, in food, water, or the environment.
  • The recall was issued due to possible E. coli contamination in the ground beef.

Noun

1. a species of bacterium normally present in intestinal tract of humans and other animals; sometimes pathogenic; can be a threat to food safety