Is Escherichia coli (E. coli) a gram-negative bacillus?

From the Guidelines

Yes, Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a gram-negative bacillus.

Characteristics of E. coli

• E. coli is a type of Enterobacteriaceae, a family of gram-negative bacteria 1
• It is a facultative and aerobic organism, meaning it can live with or without oxygen 1
• E. coli is commonly found in the human gut and can cause infections in various parts of the body, including the abdomen 1

Prevalence of E. coli in Infections

• E. coli is one of the most common pathogens isolated from intra-abdominal infections, particularly those derived from the colon 1
• It is often found in combination with other bacteria, such as anaerobes like Bacteroides fragilis 1

Antibiotic Resistance

• E. coli has developed resistance to various antibiotics, including ampicillin/sulbactam, fluoroquinolones, and extended-spectrum beta-lactamases 1
• The choice of antibiotic therapy should be based on local microbiologic data, cost, allergies, and formulary availability 1

From the Research

Characteristics of Escherichia coli

• Escherichia coli (E. coli) is classified as a gram-negative bacillus 2, 3
• It is a rod-shaped bacterium in the family Enterobacteriaceae 3
• E. coli is a facultative, anaerobic Gram-negative rod 4

Classification and Identification

• E. coli can be differentiated from other gram-negative bacteria using PCR-based tests 5
• The assay employs primers derived from the nucleotide sequences flanking the gene encoding the universal stress protein (uspA) 5

Ecological Role

• E. coli plays an important ecological role and can be used as a bioindicator of antimicrobial resistance 4
• It is a resident of the normal intestinal microbiota, but some strains can cause diseases in humans, other mammals, and birds 2