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Escherichia coli (E. coli strain 0157:H7) is a bacterium that normally lives in the intestines of people and animals. It is a gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic, rod prokaryote. Under certain conditions it may become pathogenic (disease causing) and cause food poisoning, hemorrhagic diarrhea and kidney failure. E coli O157:H7 produces toxins that damage the lining of the intestine. The strain originates from the intestines of some cattle and spreads to contaminate beef products and milk.
Image and text copyright © Dennis Kunkel. All rights reserved. |
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