What is the common genus under Enterobacteriaceae (formerly known as Escherichieae), specifically referring to the genus Escherichia (E. coli)?

From the Guidelines

The most common genus under the tribe Escherichieae is Escherichia, with Escherichia coli (E. coli) being the most well-known species. This tribe, which belongs to the family Enterobacteriaceae, also includes other genera such as Shigella, Citrobacter, and Salmonella 1. E. coli is particularly significant as it commonly inhabits the lower intestinal tract of warm-blooded organisms. While most E. coli strains are harmless and part of the normal gut microbiota, some serotypes can cause serious food poisoning, urinary tract infections, or other clinical infections.

Key Points

• The tribe Escherichieae includes several genera, with Escherichia being the most common genus.
• E. coli is the most well-known species in the Escherichia genus and is commonly found in the lower intestinal tract of warm-blooded organisms.
• Other genera in the Escherichieae tribe include Shigella, Citrobacter, and Salmonella.
• E. coli is important as a model organism in microbiology and has been extensively studied for its genetic properties.

According to a study published in the Journal of Microbiology, Immunology and Infection in 2023, E. coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, A. baumannii, and P. aeruginosa are among the top five bacterial species demonstrating a growing carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacilli (CRGNB) prevalence over time 1. The close genetic relationship between these genera in the Escherichieae tribe reflects their evolutionary history and explains similarities in their biochemical properties and pathogenic potential.

Clinical Significance

• E. coli is a common cause of urinary tract infections and can also cause food poisoning and other clinical infections.
• The increasing prevalence of CRGNB, including E. coli, poses a significant challenge for clinicians in terms of diagnosis, treatment, and control.
• The development of new antimicrobial agents and the implementation of effective infection control measures are crucial to addressing the growing threat of CRGNB.

From the Research

Common Genus Under Escherichieae

• The common genus under Escherichieae is Escherichia, with Escherichia coli (E. coli) being a prevalent species 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
• E. coli is a common cause of urinary tract infections (UTIs) and is often treated with antibiotics such as nitrofurantoin, which has been shown to be effective against E. coli in several studies 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
• The susceptibility of E. coli to nitrofurantoin has been evaluated in various studies, with results showing that nitrofurantoin retains antimicrobial activity against multidrug-resistant E. coli 4, 6.
• The use of nitrofurantoin as a first-line treatment for uncomplicated UTIs has been recommended due to its high susceptibility rate and low resistance rate compared to other antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole 2, 3, 4, 6.

Antibiotic Susceptibility

• The antibiotic susceptibility of E. coli to nitrofurantoin has been shown to be high, with susceptibility rates ranging from 95.6% to 99.4% in different studies 2, 3, 4.
• The resistance rate of E. coli to nitrofurantoin has been shown to be low, with resistance rates ranging from 2.1% to 7.5% in different studies 4, 6.
• The use of nitrofurantoin as a treatment option for ESBL-producing E. coli-related lower urinary tract infection has been evaluated, with results showing that nitrofurantoin may be an alternative treatment option 5.