Escherichia coli bacteria, commonly called E. coli has certain types which can cause food borne illness. Most strains of E. coli are harmless and found widely in nature, including the intestinal tracts of humans and warm-blooded animals, some mammals, raw milk, unchlorinated water. Disease-causing strains, however, are a frequent cause of both intestinal and urinary-genital tract infections. One type causes travelers' diarrhea. The worst type of E. coli (Enterohemorragic E. coli) causes bloody diarrhea, and can sometimes cause kidney failure which may, sometime lead to death. These problems are most likely to occur in children and in adults with weak immune systems. This type produces one or more related, powerful toxins which can severely damage the lining of the intestines. Other types can also cause human disease.
Normally, urine is sterile. It is usually free of bacteria, viruses, and fungi but does contain fluids, salts, and waste products. An infection occurs when tiny organisms, usually bacteria from the digestive tract, cling to the opening of the urethra and begin to multiply. The urethra is the tube that carries urine from the bladder to outside the body. Most urinary infections arise from Escherichia coli (E. coli), normally lives in the colon.
In many cases, bacteria first travel to the urethra. When bacteria multiply, an infection can occur. An infection limited to the urethra is called urethritis. If bacteria move to the bladder and multiply, a bladder infection, called cystitis, results. If the infection is not treated promptly, bacteria may then travel further up the ureters to multiply and infect the kidneys. A kidney infection is called pyelonephritis.
Types of E-coli poisoning food includes:
· Escherichia coli O157:H7 (enterovirulent E. coli - EEC)/ Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC)Infection
· Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) caused traveler’s diarrhea because they commonly contaminate food and water in developing countries.
· Enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) are associated with persistent diarrhea (lasting 2 weeks or more), are more common in developing countries where they can be transmitted by contaminated water or contact with infected animals.
Transmission of E. Coli -
E. coli bacteria and its toxins are transmitted to human via:
- Raw or undercooked food or hamburgers
- Salami, (Salami is originally an Italian preparation made by peasants by processing meat to preserve it for long time.)
- Sprouts
- Lettuce
- Unpasteurized milk, apple juice, and apple cider - an unfiltered, unsweetened, non-alcoholic drink made from apples. It is opalescent, or opaque, due to the fine apple particles in suspension, and may be tangier than conventional filtered apple juice, depending on the apples used.
- Contaminated well water.
- Contaminated swimming pools.
Symptoms of E. Coli Infection
Symptoms of E. Coli infection usually begin 2 to 5 days after exposure. The symptoms may last for 8 days. Some common symptoms of infection with E. coli are:
- Nausea
- Severe abdominal cramps
- Watery or very bloody diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Low grade fever
Diagnosis of E. Coli Infection -
Stool OR Urine test to see if it was infected with E. coli.
Treatment of E. Coli Infections
In most infected individuals, symptoms of E. coli infection last about 5 to 14 days and resolve without any long-term problem. Antibiotics are not helpful. It is believed that these medications rather, increase the risk of developing post-diarrheal hemolytic uremic syndrome (D+HUS). Therefore, good supportive care such as increased fluid and electrolyte (salts) intake and nutrition i.e., easy to digest food is necessary to check E. coli symptoms.
Homoeopathic Medicines –
Health care experts recommend against taking anti-diarrheal medicines but homoeopathy has many effective medicines for prompt relief from the infection. They need supervision of physician for their indications and repetition. The most commonly indicated homoeopathic medicines in E. coli infection are –
Mercurius solubilis, Mecurius corrosivus, Arsenicum alb., Nux vomica, Rhus tox., Phosphorus, Colocynthes, Aloe soc., Trombidium, Natrum sulph., Rheum, Ipecac., Rhus tox., varatrum alb., Croton tig., Gambogia, Hydrastis, Podophylum, Apis mel., Nitric acid, Cantharis, Sepia, Aethusa etc.
Probiotics -
Among the effects claimed for probiotics are beneficial immuno-modulation, reduction of serum cholesterol, improved lactose digestion and protection against colon cancer.
Complications of E. coli
One of the most serious complications of an E. coli infection is Hemolytic uremic syndrome. Hemolytic uremic syndrome is characterized by destruction of red blood cells, damage to the lining of blood vessel walls and in severe cases, kidney failure.
A properly selected homoeopathic medicine can revert the situation. Solidago, Hydrocyanic acid, Cantharis, Apis mel., Baptisia t. may be indicated.
Treatment for those who develop HUS ranges from mild to very intensive. Children may need to be hospitalized for about two weeks (range 3 days to 3 months), and adults longer, as their courses tends to be more severe. Diarrhea with HUS need supportive therapy, including meticulous attention to fluid and electrolyte balance, is the cornerstone of survival.
Preventing E. coli Infection -
Anything ingested by a person can be a vehicle for infection. E. coli are now so widely disseminated that a wide variety of foods can be contaminated. Direct animal-to-person and person-to-person transmission is not uncommon. Following steps can be taken to prevent E. coli infection -
Anything ingested by a person can be a vehicle for infection. E. coli are now so widely disseminated that a wide variety of foods can be contaminated. Direct animal-to-person and person-to-person transmission is not uncommon. Following steps can be taken to prevent E. coli infection -
1. Practice meticulous personal hygiene. This is true not only for family members and guests, but for any member of the food supply chain.
- Eat only thoroughly cooked food products.
- Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly specially if one takes them uncooked/raw.
- Avoid unpasteurized juices.
- Drink only pasteurized milk and chlorinated water.
- Avoid swallowing lake or pool water while swimming.
- The persons with diarrhea, especially children should wash their hands carefully with soap after bowel movements to reduce the risk of spreading infection, and person should take gloves while changing soiled diaper of baby or wash hands thoroughly after changing it. E. coli diarrhea initially is non-bloody, but still very infectious.
2. E. coli bacteria can survive on surfaces as work station, utensils etc. for weeks and only a few are sufficient to cause illness.
3. Be careful to avoid cross contamination when preparing and cooking food. The work stations and the utensils used during meal preparation should be thoroughly cleaned.
4. Do not allow children to share bath water with anyone who has any signs of diarrhea.
5. After touching a pet or farm animals merely cleaning the hands may not be adequate, it needs more thorough washing and cleaning!
6. Keep toddlers in diapers and away of all bodies of water. Wear disposable gloves when changing the diapers of any child with any type of diarrhea.
7. Avoid drinking and even playing in any non-chlorinated water.
Food Industry Prevention
Irradiation is the most practical and effective way of sterilizing foods. Even though the word “irradiation” creates fear of radiation exposure, irradiated food does not become radioactive; it is safe and the taste or form of the food does not change.
To control or eliminate any infection public education and awareness is very necessary.
Dr. M. K. Tyagi
D.H.M.S., Dip. N.I.H.Research Officer
Sewa Mandir
Mobile" 09829157926
Email: 1.sewamandir@usa.net, 2.manju_mkt2003@yahoo.co.in
Dr. M. K. Tyagi
D.H.M.S., Dip. N.I.H.Research Officer
Sewa Mandir
Mobile" 09829157926
Email: 1.sewamandir@usa.net, 2.manju_mkt2003@yahoo.co.in
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