Escherichia

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Escherichia (esh-er-ik-iă) n. a genus of Gram-negative, generally motile, rodlike bacteria that are found in the intestines of humans and many animals. E. coli a species that is usually not harmful but some strains of which cause gastrointestinal infections. E. coli O157 a pathogenic serotype causing colitis, which may give rise to the complications of haemolytic uraemic syndrome or thrombocytopenic purpura.

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