Pathogens
Escherichia coli

Escherichia coli

General Information

Fermenting gram negative rod, of the Enterobacteriaceae family

Normal GI flora.

Most predominant gram negative bacillus.

Women’s Health: The most common cause of pyelo-nephritis in pregnant women. In addition a common cause of gram negative bacteremia in women with fever in labour/chorioamnionitis.

An exhaustive list.

Most common cause of UTI.

Also common:

  • Intra-abdominal infection/abscess
  • Nosocomial pneumonia
  • Bacteremia
  • Prosthetic device infection
  • Gastroenteritis, ranging from travelers diarrhea to invasive infection with hemolytic-uremic syndrome
  • Myriad other manifestations
  • Note endocarditis is rare
  • Pyelonephritis

Suspected/confirmed verotoxigenic infection (i.e. 0157-H7) requires notification of Public Health immediately.

Treatment of choice for ESBL strains is a carbapenem.