Escherichia coli or E. coli refers to a gram negative, rod-shaped, facultative anaerobic, coliform bacterium of genusEscherichia family mostly found in endotherms (Brzuszkiewicz et.al, 2006). Most strains of E. coli seems harmless in nature but some of the serotypes lead to severe food poisoning, and are responsible for subsequent product recalls because of food contamination. The harmless strains remains as part of normal microbiota based in the gut and tend to benefit from their hosts through production of vitamin K and prevention of intestinal colonization with pathogenic bacteria endowed with symbiotic relationship (Kaper, Nataro & Mobley, 2004).
Clinical significance of Escherichia Coli
Regardless of their harmless nature, Escherichia coli can pose various clinical significances. The type of E. coli that inhibits the human health has a pathogenic feature (Kaper, Nataro & Mobley, 2004). In this case, it often cause diarrhea that can be transmitted via contaminated food or water, or through close contact with people or animals. The main clinical issue exhibited by E. coli is the fact that the clinicians are still in a constant move to seek appropriate treatment. As per the situation, there is still no valid treatment for this infection. The only thing that doctors try to emphasize is the aspect of embracing the preventive measures. Regardless of this effort, the fact remains that the medical or clinical experts still have a task ahead to discover a specific treatment measure.
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Disease /infection Escherichia Coli causes
Escherichia coli cause various bacterial infections such as cholecystitis, cholangitis, bacteremia, UTI (urinary tract infection ), as well traveler's diarrhea, among many other clinical infections including pneumonia and neonatal (Brzuszkiewicz et.al, 2006). Some other strains of Escherichia coli infection encompasses vomiting, fever, and nausea. It often leads to kidney failure amongst the most susceptible persons. Regardless of some individuals making full recovery within a week, they are still at risk to develop HUS (Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome). Since the main characteristic of HUS is hemolysis, there are high chances it will result into anemia, kidney failure, or low count of platelets. The consequent blood clot predisposes patients to CNS (Central Nervous System) problem that inhibit the functioning of the spinal cord and the brain due to the seizures, brain swelling, paralysis, and even coma ( Croxen et.al, 2013).
Route of transmission
Transmission of E. coli is attributed to various factors since it is a form of bacterial infection. Most sources of E. coli emanate from poor hygiene and eating dirty or un-healthy food. The route cause can be summarized to include; swallowing of contaminated water, swallowing contaminated food, making contact with an infected person, and even contact with animals (Kaper, Nataro & Mobley, 2004). Apart from this predisposing factors, some individuals contract E. coli infection through illness. This entails individuals with weak immune system, patients with minimal stomach acid, as well as older people and young children. All these should be avoided by all means to prevent transmission of E. coli infection.
Treatment and prevention
There are currently no specific treatments for E. coli infections. The only available treatment measures entail the use of ailments that prevent complications and relive symptoms. For most individuals, treatment encompasses the act of taking rest and taking enough fluids and fruits to prevent fatigue and dehydration. The patients are also encouraged desist from taking antidiarrheal medication since it slows down the digestive system, hence preventing the body from detoxifying. On the other hand, patients are encouraged to avoid taking anti-biotic due to the risk of severe complications. Those with extremely severe infections that transforms to hemolytic uremic syndrome are hospitalized and accorded supportive care comprising the use of IV fluids, kidney dialysis, and blood transfusions ( Croxen et.al, 2013). Generally the best thing to do with this infection is to embrace preventive measures such as maintaining hygiene and eating healthy.
References
Brzuszkiewicz, E., Brüggemann, H., Liesegang, H., Emmerth, M., Ölschläger, T., Nagy, G., ... & Gottschalk, G. (2006). How to become a uropathogen: comparative genomic analysis of extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli strains. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences , 103 (34), 12879-12884.
Croxen, M. A., Law, R. J., Scholz, R., Keeney, K. M., Wlodarska, M., & Finlay, B. B. (2013). Recent advances in understanding enteric pathogenic Escherichia coli. Clinical microbiology reviews , 26 (4), 822-880.
Kaper, J. B., Nataro, J. P., & Mobley, H. L. (2004). Pathogenic escherichia coli. Nature reviews microbiology , 2 (2), 123.
