Organisms

Escherichia coli

A species of gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic, rod-shaped bacteria (GRAM-NEGATIVE FACULTATIVELY ANAEROBIC RODS) commonly found in the lower part of the intestine of warm-blooded animals. It is usually nonpathogenic, but some strains are known to produce DIARRHEA and pyogenic infections. Pathogenic strains (virotypes) are classified by their specific pathogenic mechanisms such as toxins (ENTEROTOXIGENIC ESCHERICHIA COLI), etc.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

A species of gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic, rod-shaped bacteria (GRAM-NEGATIVE FACULTATIVELY ANAEROBIC RODS) commonly found in the lower part of the intestine of warm-blooded animals. It is usually nonpathogenic, but some strains are known to produce DIARRHEA and pyogenic infections. Pathogenic strains (virotypes) are classified by their specific pathogenic mechanisms such as toxins (ENTEROTOXIGENIC ESCHERICHIA COLI), etc.

MeSH Record

Classification

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Synonyms

13 entry terms
  • Bacillus coli
  • Bacterium coli
  • Bacterium coli commune
  • E coli
  • Enterococcus coli
  • Alkalescens-Dispar Group
  • Diffusely Adherent E. coli
  • Diffusely Adherent Escherichia coli
  • EAggEC
  • Enteroaggregative E. coli
  • Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli
  • Enteroinvasive E. coli
  • Enteroinvasive Escherichia coli

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

15 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings chemistry, classification, cytology, drug effects, enzymology, genetics, growth & development, immunology, isolation & purification, metabolism, pathogenicity, physiology, radiation effects, ultrastructure, virology.

MeSH Record

Indexing Annotation

not for "coliform bacillus" ( = COLIFORM BACILLI see ENTEROBACTERIACEAE); note specific strains; infection = ESCHERICHIA COLI INFECTIONS

MeSH Record

History Note

ALKALESCENS-DISPAR GROUP was heading 1975-96 (see under ESCHERICHIA 1975-90); was see under SHIGELLA 1974; was see under ENTEROBACTERIACEAE 1963-73 (Prov 1963-67)

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Numbers

  1. B03w.440w.450.425w.325w.300w
  2. B03w.660w.250w.150w.180w.100w

MeSH Record

NLM Classification

QW 138.5.E8

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Escherichia coli. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D004926. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D004926
  2. Escherichia coli. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Escherichia_coli
  3. Escherichia coli. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q25419