Picture 16

This picture shows Escherichia coli (in red) cultured in MacConkey's agar. E. coli ferments lactose and therefore appears red in the neutral red indicator found in the culture medium.

Escherichia coli

Morphology: Gram negative cocci that are facultative anaerobes, ferment lactose, are commensals in human gastrointestinal tract

Route of transmission: Food borne

Investigations: Gram stain, organism cultured on MacConkey's agar

Diseases:

Urinary tract infections

Neonatal meningitis

Enteric infections (Traveler's diarrhoea)

Treatment:

Penicillin

Cefotaxime

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