Definition

Noun: A genus of Gram-negative, rod-shaped bacteria commonly found in the intestines of humans and other warm-blooded animals. While many strains are harmless or even beneficial, some can cause serious foodborne illnesses and infections.

Usage

The word "Escherichia" is used primarily in scientific and medical contexts to refer to this specific bacterial genus. It is often followed by the species name, most notably Escherichia coli (abbreviated as E. coli).

Examples

• Scientific Classification:
  • Escherichia is a member of the family Enterobacteriaceae.
• Medical Context:
  • The presence of Escherichia in a water sample can indicate fecal contamination.
  • Some pathogenic strains of Escherichia can cause urinary tract infections.

Advanced Usage

• "Escherichia coli": The most well-known and studied species within this genus. Discussions about "E. coli" are far more common than about the genus "Escherichia" in isolation.
  • The research focused on the antibiotic resistance of Escherichia coli.

Variants and Related Words

• E. coli (n): The standard abbreviation for .
  • An outbreak of E. coli was linked to the contaminated lettuce.
• Enterobacteriaceae (n): The family of bacteria to which the genus belongs.

Synonyms

• Coliform bacterium (in a broad, non-technical sense): While not a direct synonym, "Escherichia" is a key member of the coliform group used as an indicator of water sanitation.

Noun

1. a genus of enteric bacteria