Escherichia coli is normally found in the intestine of most animals, including humans, with most strains harmless, and even some considered probiotic, but others causes food poisoning. In the digestive tract, E. coli species produce vitamin K, which is useful for our health.
Problems can arise, however, when for some reason, E. coli from the colon makes its way to the vagina or urinary tract, where it causes infection. Most urinary tract infections are caused by E. coli, and E. coli colonisation in the vagina is known as aerobic vaginitis, despite E. coli being an anaerobic bacteria.
E. coli and E. faecalis are often found together wreaking havoc, as they support one another’s lifestyles.
E. coli is a very well-studied bacteria.
Family: Enterobacteriaceae
Most strains of E. coli are harmless, but some produce Shiga toxins (STEC), which is responsible for food poisoning. These toxin-producing strains can be found in raw or undercooked meat, raw milk, and contaminated vegetables.
Best growing temperature is 37°C, and prefers greater alkalinity/lesser acidity.
| Condition type | Bacteria |
|---|---|
| Affected systems | Reproductive, Urinary, Digestive |
| Sexually Transmissible | yes |
| Genitourinary Incidence | common |
| Age group affected |
|
Microbial information
| Anaerobe / Aerobe | Facultative anaerobe/aerobe |
|---|---|
| Gram stain | Gram-negative |
| Best tests to detect |
|
| Pathogen of |
| Commensal of (Can naturally inhabit, but not necessarily as a healthy addition) |
|
| Optimal growth pH |
|
| Conditions correlated with |
|
| Cellular adherence capacities | High |
| Found in healthy vaginas | Possibly |
| Biofilm-forming capacities |
|
| Cellular Morphology |
|
| Microbe Motility | Motile |
| Colony Colour |
|
| Substances Produced | |
| Sexually Transmissible | Yes |
What are the symptoms of Escherichia coli urinary tract and vulvovaginal infections?
- Burning
- Discharge
- Foul Odour A foul odour may be any odour that you find unpleasant, but if you can be more specific it can help to better identify the condition causing the issue, for example, fishy or ammonia.
- Inflammation
- Itching
- Odour
- Redness
What causes Escherichia coli urinary tract and vulvovaginal infections?
- No causes found for Escherichia coli urinary tract and vulvovaginal infections, yet.
What are the risk factors associated with Escherichia coli urinary tract and vulvovaginal infections?
How do you diagnose Escherichia coli urinary tract and vulvovaginal infections?
- No diagnoses found for Escherichia coli urinary tract and vulvovaginal infections, yet.
How do you treat Escherichia coli urinary tract and vulvovaginal infections?
Treatments for Escherichia coli urinary tract and vulvovaginal infections are only for practitioners and people who purchased the book Killing BV and Killing BV for men.
Which treatments are likely to be ineffective for Escherichia coli urinary tract and vulvovaginal infections?
What complications are associated with Escherichia coli urinary tract and vulvovaginal infections?
References
Beloin, C., Roux, A. & Ghigo, J.-M., 2008. Escherichia coli Biofilms. In Bacterial Biofilms. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg, pp. 249–289, http://link.springer.com/10.1007/978-3-540-75418-3_12