Escherichia coli

Precautions

See 'Additional Information'
See 'Additional Information'

General Information

Pathogen information

Fermenting gram negative rod, of the Enterobacteriaceae family

Epidemiology

Normal GI flora - most predominant gram negative bacillus

Associated syndromes

Most common cause of UTI

Also common:

  • Intra-abdominal infection/abscess

  • Nosocomial pneumonia

  • Bacteremia

  • Prosthetic device infection.

Gastroenteritis, ranging from traveler's diarrhea to invasive infection with hemolytic-uremic syndrome

Additional Information

May require contact precautions if highly resistant i.e. ESBL, carbapenem resistant

Treatment of choice for ESBL strains is a carbapenem