Library · Microorganism
Uropathogenic Escherichia coli
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Escherichia coli is a gram-negative rod, meaning a rod-shaped bacterium that stains pink with the Gram stain. It is normally part of the gut flora, and there it does no harm: in that setting it is not virulent. The trouble starts when it leaves the gut. Once outside, it can cause urinary tract infection, pneumonia, bacteremia, which is bacteria in the blood, and peritonitis, inflammation of the membrane that lines the abdomen.
The urinary tract has a very simple and very effective defense: the flush. Frequent urination sweeps out whatever arrives. Urine sweeps outward; the bacterium anchors itself so it is not swept away. Uropathogenic strains, meaning the ones equipped to attack there, have fimbriae, tiny hairs on their surface that fit into the urothelium, the lining of the urinary tract, like a key in a lock. Anchored this way, they hinder the normal flush of urine.
In childhood urinary tract infections it is the organism found most often: it accounts for up to 85 to 90% of cases.
In brief
Escherichia coli is a gram-negative rod in the gut flora, where it is not virulent; outside the gut it can cause urinary tract infection, pneumonia, bacteremia and peritonitis.
The urinary tract defends itself by flushing with urine; uropathogenic strains grip the urothelium with fimbriae that fit like a key in a lock, hindering that flush.
Urine sweeps outward; the bacterium anchors itself so it is not swept away.
It is the most common organism in childhood urinary tract infections, in up to 85 to 90% of cases.
Sources (2)
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, StatPearls PublishingEscherichia coli Infection, StatPearlsPublished
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, StatPearls PublishingUrinary Tract Infections In Children, StatPearlsPublished
This page explains the topic in general terms; it does not tell anyone what treatment to follow.
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