Escherichia coli (E. coli)

Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a bacteria species that normally lives in the intestines of healthy people and animals. More than 700 serotypes of E. coli have been identified. Most varieties of E. coli are harmless or cause relatively brief diarrhea, but a few strains can cause severe abdominal cramps, bloody diarrhea and vomiting.

Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC)

Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) may also be referred to as verocytotoxin-producing E. coli (VTEC) or enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC). STEC strains can cause serious illness in humans by producing toxins that can severely damage the lining of your intestines and kidneys. Infection with STEC strains can lead to serious complications like hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which sometimes is fatal.

• Escherichia coli O157:H7 (E. coli O157)
  Fact sheets, symptoms, duration of illness, complications, and transmission information for E. coli O157:H7.
  
  
• Non-O157:H7 Shiga toxin-producing E. coli
  Although E. coli O157:H7 is the most commonly identified type of STEC in the U.S., there are many other types of shiga toxin-producing E. coli that cause illness in people, sometimes referred to as "non-O157 STEC."
  

More about STEC

• Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS)
  Fact sheets and more information about one severe complication associated with shiga toxin-producing E. coli infection, hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).
  
  
• Preventing Shiga toxin-producing E. coli and HUS
  Learn how to minimize your risk of acquiring E. coli and HUS.
  
  
• Shiga toxin-producing E. coli and HUS Statistics
  Statistics for E. coli and HUS in Minnesota.
  

Other forms of E. coli that cause diarrheal disease

• Enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC), which produce a different toxin, is a leading bacterial cause of diarrhea in the developing world.
• Enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) cause persistent diarrhea (lasting 2 weeks or more). It spreads to humans through contaminated water or contact with infected animals and is common in developing countries.
  
  
• Health Care Provider Information on E. coli and HUS
  Required reporting information, clinical features, laboratory diagnosis, treatment and more.
  
  
• CDC: E. coli (Escherichia coli)
  More about E. coli from the CDC.